2 Days in Dublin
Itinerary
Ireland has always been on my list to travel to during Saint Patrick’s day… but when you find a cheap flight the time doesn’t really matter. A green island that is home to lots of open countryside and quaint cities, this destination is hard to not like. Year round activities and Irish festivities help keep travelers occupied especially during the holiday seasons. Second to St. Patrick's day, Christmas time is the perfect time to visit Dublin and watch the vibrant season become decorated with lights. See below for a quick and must do itinerary for a winter weekend in Ireland.
Day 1:
Land in Dublin, Ireland around 9:00am - I found a flight from Baltimore to Dublin international airport for $300 on Play airlines. To put things in perspective this is cheaper than if I were to fly to California. play airlines is a newer airline based out of Iceland. With this being my first time flying with them I was not disappointed in the slightest. They are more old school so you have to have a printed boarding pass along with the fact they don’t have an app. There are also extra fees associated with bringing luggage, on flight food and beverage. Overall, the sacrifice of packing light and the experience reflects highly compared to the cost.
Uber to hotel - Uber costs will be between 25-35 Euros from the airport to Dublin City Center. We stayed at the Moxy Dublin City. Upon checking in, our luggage was held as the room was being prepared. At all Moxy hotels a free cocktail coupon is given to you at checkin to use at any point in your stay. This hotel is primarily marketing to a younger generation having communal seating in the lobby area along with the bar connected to the checkin. With this hotel being the perfect size and city location I was extremely happy with the stay.
Explore Dublin City
Guinness Storehouse - An absolute MUST. Especially if you are a stout person. Guinness is of course native to Ireland and created in 1759. the Guinness Storehouse to this day manufactures Guinness. Visit the museum and walk through the exact ingredients and brewing process. At the end of the self guided tour you can enjoy a free tasting along with being taught how to pour the perfect pint. Upon being taught you will get a certificate that will allow you to bartend at any pub in Ireland. There is also a different section of the museum where you can upgrade your drink and have your face printed onto the top. Personally I thought this was unbelievably cool. Tickets need to be bought in advance as they sell out and don’t allow walk in tours.
Dublin Castle
St Patrick’s Cathedral
Trinity College - Book of Kells - One of the most famous colleges and libraries for good reason. This is a Dublin staple that is a quick walk around. This is also a very busy attraction when visiting, so tickets need to be bought in advance.
Grafton Street - Get a feel for the streets of Ireland. A great place to walk around, shop, and listen to buskers. This is actually where Ed Sheeran used to play before he got his start. Walk into local jewelers and take a look at the commador rings which a famous Irish wedding bands.
Temple Bar - A tourist trap for good reason. This bar is picturesque and has a very fun and vibrant pub sense. The earlier you you the better as the prices increase throughout the day along with the amount of people. Many people gather outside to take photos of the decorated exterior…especially over the holiday season.
The Church - A gorgeous dinner venue that is located inside of an old church. reservation need to be made in advance as this place is in high demand. Open for brunch, lunch and dinner you can enjoy Irish dishes and cocktails.
Day 2:
Bus Tour to West Ireland - Although renting a car in Ireland would make traveling around easier the Island much easier, driving on a different side of the road isn’t something I wanted to risk LOL. Instead I booked a tour in get your guide to visit the Cliffs of mother, and Galway. This was $75 per person and 110% worth the money.
We left early in the morning and arrived to the Cliffs of Moher around 11:00am. being one of the first groups to arrive we were able to enjoy the cliffs with less crowds on a thankfully sunny day. Being a bucket list activity the cliffs are unimaginable in person compared to photos. Walk the right path and climb the tower in order to enjoy more incredible views. After sightseeing - head to the cafe located in the visitor center for a hot chocolate while still enjoying a view of the cliffs from the warmth. The weather changes every 15 minutes in Ireland, so we were lucky to have a sunny morning compared to fog which would pertrude the view.
Board the bus and enjoy the winding roads of the west coast countryside, take a short stop and take a closer look at the rocky cliffs. This area is surprising very rural as land is passed down from generations and crops aren’t able to sustain the ever changing weather conditions. Summer months welcome surfers to Fanore Beach which is a known surfing spot on the west coast.
Galway - Continue the route to Galway which is another well known city. Walk the streets, shops, listen to buskers, and enjoy the Christmas Market. Make sure to grab a cup of mulled wine while you walk through the Christmas market and explore the different vendors and light decorations. Ireland is truly a gem around the holiday season. This is a great location to grab souvenirs or gifts as it seemed to be less expensive compared to Dublin.
Return to Dublin - The ride back to Dublin was around 2.5 hours which called for the perfect nap before arriving back and heading to Dinner.
Quays - Enjoy dinner at Quays Restaurant. I recommend enjoying the fish and chips along with beef stew both typical meals in Irish culture. The service and atmosphere here was extremely welcoming.
Cocktails and Pubs - Head back to the hotel to enjoy your free cocktail and desert before heading across the street to a local pub. All Pubs in Ireland seem to be crowded at all times, so patience is required when ordering. Most also have live Irish music as entertainment. A fun night to end the short trip.
