The capital of the Republic of Ireland and home to the Guinness storehouse, Dublin attracts thousands of tourists every year. Captivating both the Irish and the outsiders, this chirpy city offers something for everyone. What do you need to know about Dublin?
Dublin offers the most lively bars
The Irish might be stereotyped for their love of drinking and visiting Dublin definitely reinforces that presumption. The city is lined with narrow cobbled streets, tucking away cosy bars which burst with live music and lively people. The Temple Bar, located in the heart of the city, is a must-visit if it’s your first time in Dublin.
You can visit the Guinness Storehouse
With tickets starting at €15, you can visit the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin. Essentially, the Storehouse is a guided tour detailing the history of the Guinness drink and how it is made. Visitors can taste test, pour their own Guinness drink and review iconic Guinness advertisements from previous decades. The experience ends with a free Guinness on the top floor of the building, which overlooks the entirety of Dublin. Now that’s a view.
The local people are friendly
Dublin is a notoriously friendly city and whether you’re in a bar, queue or shop, it’s almost a certainty to be caught up in a small talk with a stranger. Dubliners are also known for looking out for tourists of the city. This means, if you happen to visit the city, you should pay attention to the bars, restaurants and areas that they recommend and steer clear of the one’s that they don’t love so much.
Dublin can be expensive
Much like any city, the closer you visit to the city centre, the more expensive it can become. For example, in renowned ‘tourist’ bars such as Temple Bar, a pint of Guinness can near €10. Whereas, if you visit bars towards Dublin’s outskirts, you’ll find the prices decrease. Don’t worry, though – Dublin has plenty of budget-friendly and free activities. The National Gallery of Ireland is free of admission and, likewise, Phoenix Park is free to visit.
Dubliners use their own slang
Like anywhere, Dublin has its own regional dialect. Phrases and words that you might hear when in Dublin include ‘jacks’ or ‘jax’ when referring to the toilet and ‘gaff’ when mentioning a house or home. It goes without saying that Dubliners carry a strong Irish accent because, of course, Dublin is in the Republic of Ireland.