Things to do in Dublin

Best Sea Swimming Spots in Dublin

The Best Sea Swimming Spots in Dublin (that you can get to without a car!)

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Best Sea Swimming Spots in Dublin

One of the things I love about living in Dublin is its proximity to both the mountains AND the sea. If you want to go for a mountain hike, you’ve got the Wicklow mountains right there, which provide excellent hikes or scenic walks along the Wicklow Way (like this one). Or if you want a coastal cliff walk, there are stunning walks like the Howth Head Loop or the Bray to Greystones walk. But if you’re more of a sea swimming and beach person, there are TONS of gorgeous beaches and places to swim along the coast in and near Dublin. It definitely comes in handy on a sunny day in Dublin to have so many options.

Another thing I love about living in Dublin is that when it’s warm and/or sunny, people really appreciate it. Ireland’s general rainy weather make those hot, sunny days all the more sweet.

So when it’s sunny in Dublin, Dubliners FLOCK to the mountains or to one of the many sea swimming spots.

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Temple Bar

The True Temple Bar

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Temple Bar

Ah, Temple Bar.

Tourists know it as “the” place to go out and have a wild night. Locals know it as the area over-saturated with tourists and overpriced drinks. Everyone knows it as the messy headquarters of drunkenness come nightfall.

But, Temple Bar is actually much more than what both locals and tourists give it credit for. Locals tend to stay away most of the time because of the bad rep the tourists have given it. And tourists mainly go at night and dirty up the streets with trash and bodily fluids during their drunken escapades. But, it’s so much more than what it becomes come nightfall.

Since no trip to Dublin is complete without a look into Temple Bar, 99.9% of all tourists in Dublin WILL end up in there, and WILL want to see what the hype is about and why all the guidebooks always say to visit. Some may find that it’s overcrowded, overhyped, and overpriced. And it is. But there’s a also a certain magic to Temple Bar. You just have to know when and where to look for it.

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Hiking the Wicklow Way: Glenmalure to Glendalough

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Hiking the Wicklow Way

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Ireland has some of the most amazing natural landscape I’ve ever seen. Ireland is famous for its rolling green hills, beautiful coastlines, and breathtaking cliffs. With that comes MANY amazing walking/hiking trails that offer people a taste of the natural beauty.

I’m trying to take advantage of the landscape here since where I’m from (South Louisiana) is totally and completely FLAT. Couldn’t be flatter. I already shared all about cliff walking in Howth (which was AMAZING). But during my time here in Ireland I’ve gotten a chance to do a few different hikes. It’s great for getting some fresh air, clearing your mind, and seeing some unbelievable sights.

…Weather permitting of course.

Well, one amazing hiking trail in Ireland (that’s also easy to get to from Dublin city centre) is the Wicklow Way, in County Wicklow.

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Cliff Walking in Howth, Ireland

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Cliff Walking in Howth - the perfect day trip from Dublin

As much as I love city life, it’s sometimes nice to escape the busy streets, constant cars, and general hustle and bustle of Dublin. Well luckily, there’s plenty of beautiful natural landscape that can be seen by just doing a day trip from Dublin!

When I first moved to Dublin I posted about the cute little village of Howth, just a 20-30 minute train ride North of Dublin’s city centre. Besides being a great and easily assessable getaway for anyone living in Dublin, it’s also great for visitors wanting to see a bit more of the renowned Irish landscape that may not have the time/money to travel far (a day return ticket on the DART train to Howth is only €6!!!)

The best part of this cliff walk, and the day in general, is that I hadn’t planned it at all. I had heard about the cliff walk, but I thought it was just a short trail. We ended up walking for hours (because we chose the longest trail of the 3 options).

If you want to see some breathtaking Irish nature and stunning views, this is something I DEFINITELY recommend.

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Fall in St. Stephen's Green

Fall in St. Stephen’s Green // Dublin

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Fall in St. Stephen's Green

Louisiana is one of those places that only has 2 seasons – really hot summer, and then a little less hot “winter.” Some years the winter can be classified as “cold.” But most years, you can get away with wearing a thin, long-sleeve, silk blouse on Christmas Day.

And obviously, such is not the case in Dublin. And that can be seen by simply taking a stroll in St. Stephen’s Green park in fall.

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Sunny Day in Dublin

10 Things to do on a Sunny Day in Dublin!

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Sunny Day in Dublin

Ah, Ireland. You sure do know how to make a gal lose her tan…

Ok, so obviously Ireland is not exactly known for having the best weather.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the cold and rain. But it does definitely gets old. I mean….it hailed in June. That just ain’t right. So although I do love the chilly weather, after a while of that one can’t help but wonder when the sun will finally decide to grace us with its presence.

One thing I love about being somewhere with finicky weather is that when it’s sunny, people REALLY appreciate and take advantage of it. A sunny day is rare special here. The parks will be packed, the trains will be full with people heading to the coast, and there’s just a happy energy in the air.

Here are my personal recommendations of the BEST things to do in Dublin on a beautiful, sunny day!

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Expat Life in Ireland // Month #3 recap and photos

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Ireland Month #3

So last Thursday ended Month #3 living in good ol’ Dublin! And I’m still absolutely loving expat life in Ireland.

It’s Month #3 of living in Dublin and this place is really, REALLY starting to feel like home. I regularly hang out with new friends. We have bars that we know and love, but are also still exploring new places. I know how to get to my usual spots. I can understand the Irish accent better. And I’ve taken advantage of the scenery of this beautiful country!

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Tymon Park - Dublin, Ireland

Scenes from Dublin’s Tymon Park

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Tymon Park - Dublin, Ireland

One of Dublin’s main attractions is the huge Phoenix Park, one of the largest walled parks in Europe. It’s basically the Central Park of Dublin, and it really is so beautiful and wonderful.

BUT, I’m here to tell you about another great park in Dublin that stole my heart – Tymon Park. Now that I’m a #local, I have had a bit of time to explore this lesser known park. I truly believe it’s one of the best parks in Dublin.

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Howth, Ireland

An Afternoon by the Bay | Howth, Ireland

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Howth, Ireland

Greetings (finally) from Ireland! I have been so SO busy since I flew across the pond that this is my first post since my big move to Ireland! I hope you all missed me while I was away : )

Things have been absolutely nuts over here. We’ve been so busy searching for jobs and apartment hunting. BUT we were able to squeeze in a night out for my friend’s birthday (no regrets on that one, though).

It’s been an absolute whirlwind, and it seems like we’ve been here a lot longer than 6 days. Each day is so exhausting! However, I find myself (sorry, “meself”) slowly adapting to the Irish culture and life in Dublin.

We’re staying at an amazing Homestay in an area of Dublin called Templeogue (which I’ll post about later). We’ve been going around Dublin on what we’ve not-so-lovingly dubbed “The Search.” AKA, going around Dublin with resumés trying to find a job.

I cannot tell you how excited I am to have a place to call “home.” I’m ready to hang up my clothes and stop living out of a suitcase, buy and store groceries, AND have people back home start sending me presents…

Throughout all this mayhem, we were able to sneak a trip to Howth, a Dublin suburb on the Dublin Bay. What started out as a quest to go apply for jobs at few places turned into a lovely afternoon filled with great views and food. And a lot of wind.

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Dublin’s Guinness Storehouse: Fancy a Pint?

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Dublin is one of my favorite cities I’ve ever visited. Maybe it isn’t the most picturesque, and maybe the weather can be a bit of a downer for people who don’t like cold weather, but I absolutely adore it. The people are so friendly and it’s always so much fun. One of the top things to do in Dublin is the Guinness Storehouse, a tour through the brewing process of Guinness beer. AKA the sweet nectar of the Irish Gods. The Storehouse is located right in the heart of St. James’s Gate Brewery, in the center of Dublin. I had a great experience Guinness Storehouse and think it’s is definitely worth visiting

Here’s a review, recap, and what to expect from the Guinness Storehouse tour!

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