5 things to do during your first visit to Dublin
Share
Whether or not you’re planning an Irish stopover, it’s fun to dive into the local culture – and don some Kelly green – this Sunday. To get a local’s perspective on what to do in the land of dark beers and sprightly jigs, we connected with Eoin Higgins, a local writer and photographer, to learn what he would suggest to friends who visit his city for the first time.
Did you know Global Partner Aer Lingus offers nonstop flights between Seattle and Dublin? Alaska Mileage Plan members can earn miles connecting to Ireland and beyond. And starting June 20, 2019, Mileage Plan members can redeem their Alaska miles to fly on Aer Lingus, as well. Award travel to Dublin starts at just 30,000 miles each way.
Catch a ‘trad’ sesh
Higgins says you can’t go wrong with a “trad” session (traditional Irish music session) accompanied by pints of a beautifully poured stout at the longstanding Cobblestone – the self-described “drinking pub with a music problem” – pictured above. Traditional Irish musicians take to the corner table in this traditional Irish bar and belt out jigs, reels and everything-in-between to an appreciative crowd.
Glam it up then by getting down at Nine Below on upmarket St Stephen’s Green. The city’s most luxurious watering hole is a Grade I-listed space in which to get shaken and stirred. Expect to kick back with world-class bartending and sophisticated drinks in an elegant environment.
Walk on the wild side
One of Europe’s largest public recreational spaces, the 1,700-acre Phoenix Park, is located within the confines of the city center and is home to – among many other cool and interesting things – a herd of wild fallow deer. A walk/bike ride/run through the park is a salubrious, life-affirming way to spend a morning or afternoon in the city. As well as the wildlife that roams freely, the park is also home to award-winning Dublin Zoo, Farmleigh (an Edwardian mansion with a working farm, walled and sunken gardens, exhibition space and lakeside walks), picnic areas, tea shop,woods and the official residence of the president of Ireland, no less.
Enter a world of pinball wizardry
Headed up by Nicholas DiMaio – who has previous experience when it comes to making cool, pop cultural things happen in the city (see his retro video game shop therage.ie) – Token is a retro gaming arcade, hip bar, pinball “parlour,” spruced-up fast food joint, and events space with a difference in the increasingly popular Smithfield on Dublin’s North Side. Order a “Pug Life” hot dog (cheddar kraut, crispy shallots and house mustard), a hoppy craft beer from a thoughtfully-curated selection, pick up some tokens and get lost in an 8- and 16-bit chiming, twinkling virtual world.
Eat victuals fit for a Viking
Breakfast or lunch with flavorsome flair? Check out Dublin’s most lauded sandwich shop, Oxmantown. But first, a disclaimer: Oxmantown is owned and run by this writer’s brother … and then, a justification: the little sandwich shop has also been gushed about in international publications like Monocle and The New York Times as well as by homegrown critics in the Irish Times and other august organs. The unusual name comes from the time of the Norman invasion into Ireland. The Vikings, or Austmenn (Eastmen), were exiled to the north of the city where they founded the hamlet of Austmanna-tún (Homestead of the Eastmen), later corrupted to Oxmantown. But back to the food: from an excellent value ham-and-cheese that is built on artisan sourdough with a poached ham hock, grilled gruyère, creamy béchamel, roast tomato and house pickle interior, to salads that utilize the best and freshest produce from the nearby city fruit and vegetable markets, this is a café worthy of attention.
Fish for fresh catch-of-the-day
Fish Shop is an unassuming two-branch seafood destination located within a net’s cast of each other in historic Dublin 7. In one branch (Benburb Street), homage is paid to one of the city’s humblest, yet most enduring, dishes: fish ‘n’ chips. Here, fresh catch-of-the-day is exalted in a light-as-air batter and accompanied by chunky chips with crispy outsides and fluffy white interiors. Meanwhile, around the corner at the Queen Street branch, the freshest and best of Irish seafood is finely finessed – think wood oven-roasted halibut, with razor clams and black kale – via a four-course dinner, a two-/three-course lunch, or a three-course ‘early bird’ option. Admirably, the folks in Fish Shop are are keen to cook only what’s been caught that day and as such choice can be limited – paradoxically, a good thing. The vibe in both branches is intimate, friendly and laid back.
Editor’s note: This story was originally published March 27, 2018.
Related stories:
Comments
My older son and I met in Dublin for a week or so last summer. We made a couple overnight trips that we loved. The first was a mountain biking excursion to Ballyhoura and then a few days on the coast by Waterford.
Great memories and would love to return.
Morning. .
In also from Ireland and grew up in the medival town of Trim on the banks of the boyne. Would live to contribute in terms of being an ambassador (as my dearest departed dad advised ) I go back annually and love Alaska ..
Sincerely
Breda Wall.
Comments are closed.