Jon and I went to Ireland over this past weekend to celebrate his birthday. For several years now, we’ve been gifting each other experiences for our birthdays. And since moving to The Netherlands, we’ve been doing small birthday trips within Europe.
Last year we went to the Delirium Tremens brewery in Belgium for Jon’s birthday and Marrakech for mine. We didn’t originally have plans to book a trip this year, but Jon made a spontaneous decision to visit Ireland this year.
We flew out on Friday afternoon and returned mid-day Sunday, so it was a short trip. But we had an amazing time checking seeing the sites and drinking Guinness. Well, Jon drank Guinness. I stuck to my usual wine.
Head below for a recap of our 24 hours in Dublin, Ireland.
Xx, Kelsey
WHERE WE STAYED
Since our trip was going to be so short, we figured it was worth it to stay right in the thick of things. We booked the Temple Bar Hotel, right on the street with all the touristy bars. It was actually quieter than I expected and worth it for 24 hours in Dublin because we could walk everywhere.
WHERE WE ATE
The Norseman – Stopped in here for dinner on the first night because we were starving after we landed. I had a sweet potato and feta pie, which felt about as Irish as a vegetarian dish can get.
Dollard & Co. – We had breakfast at this cute food hall/deli on the first morning. We had been looking for somewhere with scrambled eggs and no wait. It fit the bill perfectly. Plus the giant soy latte was just what I needed.
The Ivy – We didn’t end up eating here because it was a bit further away and required a reservation, but it’s on my list for next time simply because of the adorable interior.
Guinness Storehouse – We ended up being so full from breakfast that we didn’t get hungry again until we were at the Guinness Storehouse in the afternoon. Luckily they have tons of dining options. I really enjoyed the fish and chips at the Brewers’ Dining Hall.
The Bull & Castle – This was my favorite meal of the tip, and Jon’s too. I booked it for his birthday dinner and was blown away by the amazing service and delicious food. Jon and I both loved the carrots and parsnips as a side.
WHAT WE DID
Christ Church Cathedral – We were down in this area after breakfast, so we took a stroll around the church. We’ve seen a lot of churches in Europe, so we didn’t go in (there’s a small fee). But it’s definitely a beautiful church from the outside. I particularly like the clovers in the windows.
Dublin Castle – Really cool to see the old turret that marks the corner of the former castle. The more recent government buildings stand around a courtyard almost exactly where the original castle stood.
Trinity College Dublin – It’s a beautiful campus and made for a lovely stroll. I really wanted to see the library that holds the Book of Kells, but the line was too long for our 24 hour trip.
Grafton Street – A fun street to do a little shopping, especially for some of the brands we can’t get back in The Netherlands. I also made sure to peek in Siopaella at their fabulous vintage selection.
Guinness Storehouse – This was the highlight of our trip and the reason Jon really wanted to visit. Even as someone who doesn’t drink beer, I was impressed. Jon and I have done the Heineken museum in Amsterdam, and this is significantly better. It does take quite a while to get through, so be prepared to spend the better part of an afternoon. It’s also quite crowded, so I suggest trying a morning time slot.
Drink like the Irish – We spent our evening after dinner visiting a few pubs and Irish bars. My favorites were The Fourth Corner, where we stopped for a quick glass and a bathroom after Guinness, and The Hairy Lemon, which had the traditional Irish feel without the crowds. We also stopped into a few bars in the Temple Bar area, but they were so crowded.
OUTFIT DETAILS:
Make leather pants | Similar sweater here |Gap teddy coat | J. Crew bag | Steve Madden boots (my favorite for travel)
