Dublin is one of many massive European capitals – 1.3 million people, easy international flights, plenty of rental options, and lots of history.
But if you’re coming to Ireland expecting rolling green hills, traditional (trad music) spilling out of every doorway, and that slower, warmer pace you associate with the country, this isn’t it.
This is a busy, modern city first and an Irish city second, and the tourist-facing parts of it can feel like they’ve been polished to the point where the soul gets a little lost in the shine.
That said, there’s still plenty to see if you go in with the right expectations and you limit your overall exposure.
Dublin Castle is worth a quick stop, the history here is genuinely interesting even for those of us who aren’t huge history buffs.
The Ha’Penny Bridge over the River Liffey is as pretty as advertised, a slim iron footbridge that’s been connecting the north and south banks since 1816. Unfortunately it’s not very photogenic (I took 10 or 15 photos and deleted them all), but you have to cross it at least once during a trip here to check it off the list.
Trinity College is probably the most atmospheric spot in the city center – Library Square is a lush, quiet green space flanked by massive old trees, and the entire grounds photograph beautifully.
These are good things. But they just feel more European than anything distinctly Irish.
The colorful doors are fun, and the varying history behind them is worth a read. I love the phrase “Fascinating Knockers” in this post.
In fact – most of you probably have no idea just how much time we spend researching things months and years in advance for our trips and then for days and days during and after trips for our posts here, just to find things like “fascinating knockers”…
But the pubs are plentiful and famous for good reason, the beer is creamy and the taps never seem to run dry. The Brazen Head was just a pushpin on our map, but we both thoroughly enjoyed the stop there when we had time to kill before our Guinness Storehouse tour.
But if you’re going to Ireland for Ireland, don’t linger too long in Dublin.
See the mandatory tourist sights here like Temple Bar and the Guinness Storehouse, and then get out as fast as you can.
That’s where the Ireland you came for is actually waiting.
Into The Castle
Crossing through the Cork Hill gate into Dublin Castle
On The Inside
Inside the courtyard of the Dublin Castle
Down The River Liffey
A riverboat passes beneath the Ha’Penny Bridge on the River Liffey in Downtown Dublin
Big Blue Door
One of the many colorful doors in Dublin
Molly Malone
Despite not being a real person, Molly Malone has her own statue in front of St. Andrew’s Church.
Dingle Distillery
I love the look of this old whiskey barrel
Artist Rendering
This photo of the Graduates Memorial Building in Trinity College looks more like an artist’s rendering than an actual photo.
Such A Handsome Fellow
The Provost Statue in front of the Graduates Memorial Building is one homely dude
Greenscape
Library Square in Dublin’s Trinity College is a lush green space with a couple massive trees on the eastern edge.
Jeanie Johnston
The Jeanie Johnston famine ship that made 16 trips between Ireland and the US carrying 2500 emigrants during the Great Famine.
More Doors
There are competing legends of how the colorful doors got started, but either way they sure make great photos
Belly Up To The Bar
It took me 45 minutes of waiting to get this shot of the bar at The Brazen Head with no other customers bellied up – and that’s midday on a Tuesday! Very, very popular spot.
Irish Dip
This is how we drink our pints in Ireland!
A Tale of Two Beers
While it’s nice to have a Guinness while here in Dublin, my heart belongs to the IPAs
Triple Tap
Normally a triple tap means two bullets in the chest and one in the head, but here in Dublin it means three Guinness taps and one each of all the others
