1. Gorgonzola Sandwiches and Lemon Soap: In the Footsteps of Leopold Bloom
“The first comprehensive handbook for city-dwellers; the first complete representation of thoroughbred pedestrians.” — That’s how German author Arno Schmidt described Ulysses.
This book was Irish author James Joyce’s most famous work, and the text serves as a compass through the country’s capital even to this day: That way, even without sirens, you’ll find your way to Davy Byrne’s pub in Duke Street (though today it’s more of a hipster café rather than the novel’s smoky pub). After a proper meal of a Gorgonzola sandwich and a glass of burgundy, it’ll take about 10 minutes for you to get to Lincoln Place. While you’re there, you can buy lemon soap in the old Sweny’s Pharmacy and browse through second-hand literature — just like Bloom.
2. A Colourful Combination: Dublin’s Food Markets
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For a light snack, there’s nothing better than taking a stroll through one of the Irish Village Markets. On Wednesdays at Spencer Dock’s Central Square, you’ll find a large selection of tasty and affordable international meals and snacks.
The bibimbap at Kimchimera or one of the delicious pizzas from Zero Zero Pizza come highly recommended. Locals love the Temple Bar Food Market, which is held every Saturday from 10:00-16:30 at Meeting House Square. There you’ll find Mexican and Indian food, fresh oysters, and an abundance of fruit and organic vegetables.
3. Fire-Eaters, Magicians, and Darth Vader on the Keyboard: Grafton Street
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After a short walk through the famous city park, St. Stephen’s Green, to help you digest, you can jump into the fray of neighbouring Grafton Street. This shopping street is well-known for its street-artist scene, which changes daily. With musicians, cartoonists, fire-eaters, magicians, mimes, and a keyboard-playing Darth Vader, the variety of talents here is incredible.
It’s not uncommon for shoppers to wind up spending most of their day listening to the bands that play here. Artists like Damien Rice and Glen Hansard even started their careers on Dublin’s largest shopping street. If you walk south along Grafton Street, you'll end up right to the city’s next highlight.
4. Great Minds in High Halls: Trinity College and the Old Library
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Trinity College is a haven of peace amid the hustle and bustle of Dublin’s streets. Samuel Beckett, Oscar Wilde, Bram Stoker, and Jonathan Swift all studied here. The famous university’s main attraction is the Old Library with its collection of nearly three million books and the Long Room, the main section of the library, which is filled with wooden tables. This is also where some of the oldest books in their collection are kept.
As you stroll past these treasures, you’ll see Plato, Shakespeare, and Isaac Newton — these great minds are immortalised in the form of fine marble busts. From here, you’ll cross the Liffey, and as you follow the river to the west, you’ll make your way to the neighbourhood of Temple Bar; and if you continue on a bit further to the south, you’ll get to St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
5. The Spirits of the Liberties
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At Newmarket, which is within walking distance of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, you’ll find the Teeling Distillery. If you’re looking for a high-proof alternative to the obligatory visit to the Guinness Brewery at St. James’s Gate, you’re in the right place.
Southwest of the city centre is an area known as The Liberties: The name comes from the Middle Ages, which is when the area on the outskirts of the city was granted special rights or liberties. Today, the Liberties is considered the city’s social hotspot. If you take a tour through the distillery, which was reopened in 2015, you’ll learn about the whiskey production process and get the chance to taste-test their aromatic spirits. Now you’ll be all set to jump into Dublin’s nightlife!
6. Pub Culture and Nightlife: O’Donoghue’s and Temple Bar
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Home-made Irish Stew, a freshly-tapped pint and live music are the basis for Dublin’s nightlife, and you’ll find it all in O’Donoghue’s Pub in Merrion Row. In the early ’60s, the legendary band The Dubliners used to play here. Today, you’ll get to enjoy the authentically rustic pub culture in a laid-back atmosphere.
From here, head towards Temple Bar, which is considered the city’s cultural quarter: You’ll stroll through the cobblestone alleys filled with galleries, hip cafés, pubs, and clubs. In Porterhouse, Dublin’s largest independent brewery, you’ll be spoilt for choice with a selection of stouts, ales, lagers, and seasonal beer specialities on the menu.
In the almost cavernous walls of the stylish Turk’s Head pub, which are decorated with colourful mosaics and mirrors, you can get a kick of caffeine with an extremely strong Irish coffee that’ll keep you going all night long.
Affordable Accommodations in Dublin
During your next camping holiday on the Emerald Island, you can leave your caravan parked at Camac Valley for a while so you can explore the city on foot. Do you know of any other campsites near the Irish capital? Let us know via email: office@camping.info. We hope you have a great time in Dublin!
