24 Hours in Dublin
We landed in Dublin in the early hours of the morning. After making our way through customs we got an international sim card at a kiosk, and then made our way to public transport. The bus took us straight to the city center. Unfortunately, our Airbnb was not available until later in the day so we meandered through St. Stephens Green as the city was awakening from its slumber.
Tip: It is easy to get an international sim card. Just ask an airport employee and they will point you in the right direction. I bought the cheapest option and I had more than enough data to last me through our 10 day trip.
Tip: The bus system is cheap. Taxi’s can add up. Try familiarizing yourself with the bus system before you come to Dublin, and you can save a few precious pennies.
Carrying heavy backpacks quickly builds up an appetite so we made our way to The Fumbally to eat. This is a great place to grab breakfast in Dublin. They serve health conscious dishes, locally roasted coffee, and have super cool vibes. After eating our fill we made our way to our Airbnb to drop off our luggage.
Our first stop in Dublin was Trinity College. Trinity College has a gorgeous library and most famously has the Book of Kells. The Book of Kells is the gospels illustrated coupled with amazing calligraphy. The lines to the library can get long, so make sure to arrive early. We wandered around the college for a bit and then made our way to the Temple Bar district to get some lunch.
We found some warm soup and bread to warm our bones from the chilly day. The Temple Bar District is known for its nightlife and traditional Irish music. Tourists and locals alike flock to this area as the sun sets.
After getting some energy from our food we set out to explore some of the many parks in Dublin. First we made our way back to St. Stephens Green to see some of the areas we missed earlier. St. Stephens Green is the largest park in Dublin at 22 acres. There are plenty of paths to explore and get lost in. It is a great place to spend a couple hours and people watch on one of the many park benches.
Next, we made our way to the Park of Remembrance. This park is dedicated to the Irish men and women who sacrificed their lives for Irish independence.
The last park we explored was Merrion Square. Some of Ireland's most famous icons have lived around this square. One of the most notable residents was renowned poet Oscar Wilde, and there is a statue in the park memorializing him.
After spending so much time outside, we decided to do something indoors. We went to the National Gallery of Ireland. Entry was completely free. This gallery houses works from famous artists such as Mantegna, Titian, Monet, and Picasso. They have a collection of over 14,000 artworks. If you love art, then this is a must stop during your trip to Dublin.
Tip: There are plenty of free museums in Dublin. If you are on a budget, then make sure to do some research and see what Dublin offers for free.
After getting out of the museum it was now in the evening hours and time for dinner. We made our way back to the Temple Bar District in search of food. We found a traditional Irish pub and ordered some shepherd's pie and warm bread. After eating our fill, we made our way back to our Airbnb to gather some much needed rest, excited about starting our Ireland road trip the following day.
