When talking about Dublin, I have to admit, I am very biased. I used to live in Dublin for almost five years when I studied there and Dublin to me means home. Home with relaxed atmosphere but great buzz combined with good pubs, cafes and restaurants. And lots to do too. If you visit the city for the first time it’s not bad idea to do all the touristy things. The Guinness Store House, Trinity College and the Book of Kells, Dublin Castle and Temple Bar just to name a few. But there is so much more and here is my top three, most of them doable if you have a baby or little ones in tow, like we do have these days.
Swimming at the Forty Foot.
Take a dip in the Irish Sea at the Forty Foot like Dubliners have done for 250 or so years. What used to be gentlemen’s only swimming spot and a popular among nudists, is now open to women and children as well, all year around. The spot is especially busy on Christmas Day when the locals go for the annual plunge! Forty Foot can be found south of Dun Laoghaire, between the Sandycove and Bullock harbours and it’s accessible for buggies. Whether or not your little one is up for a dip in the cold Irish Sea is another matter, altogether!
White water rafting.
I used to kayak on the Liffey, the river that flows from the mountains and through the city centre before disappearing into the sea. Even though we now live in the white water paradise of Norway, I have to admit, sometimes I miss the Liffey and its mean and vicious, “ready to attack a kayaker” kind of beautifully peaceful swans. If you are not a kayaker, I would recommend you to hop on a raft and experience the river first hand. You will see and experience so much more than by just strolling the city’s streets. Need more persuasion? This is the only rafting opportunity in Ireland, hence truly unique experience in the country and not to be missed!
Wicklow Mountains.
This is not quite in the city itself but so easy to do while in Dublin that I highly recommend it and it really should be part of a city stay in Dublin. If you rent a car you can easily explore the county and its mountains to your heart’s content, as Wicklow is only one hour’s drive away from Dublin. But with public transport you can also get to the mountains with no problems. Very popular scenic spot among the mountains is Glendalough with its walking trails suited for all abilities and spectacular scenery.
Even though the student days are way behind me I still return to the city I love, Dublin, one or two times a year. In fact, the next trip is coming up in less than two months and I can’t wait!
This is my submission for the ’3 Things in the City’ I Love contest by Velvet Escape, Traveldudes and Wimdu.co.uk.
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Having only been to Dublin on business I was completely unaware that there was more to the city.
Honey Roast Parsnip soup would be enough for me to return, but the other things you’ve pointed out would be awesome to. Especially the swimming.
Good luck with the contest btw.
There is so much more, this is just scraping the surface! But as said, I’m biased here…
Thanks for stopping by & commenting, we’ll see how the competition goes. It is always cool to find novel ideas on what to do in new cities though.
Being biased is the view point that interests people, it’s the close local view we’ll never have.
Massive congrats on making it in the comp, btw, massive congrats
Ha ha, congrats to you too!! We made it!!!
Loving it: Just came back from Dublin and fell in love with the great buzz as well as with the atmosphere there. But most of all with the people. Now looking at your post, I realize I have to go back to do all these 3 activities. Congrats for winning the “3 Things in a City I love”-contest. Great choice
Thank you Doris! Dublin definitely has a great atmosphere and I 100% agree with what you said about the people. The people is the main reason I keep going back, although yes, I would highly recommend trying these activities as well!
Congrats on winning the contest Satu! I’ve never been to Dublin, but looks amazing from your pictures, and the Christmas plunge sounds awesome
Thanks Katja!! There’s something about the Irish and plunging into the sea. When I lived there we used to spend New Year’s in southwest Ireland in Kerry with all the kayakers (I mean couple of hundreds of us), and the thing to do at midnight was to strip off your clothes and jump in the sea! Needless to say it was cold, but fun as well. I wonder if I still would do it…?
Congratulations!! I love Ireland, too. I’ve not been to Dublin, but so want to go back.
I am going to put you on my sidebar so I can stay up to date more easily on your posts.
Thank you so much Leigh! Dublin & Ireland as a whole are great places to visit, and to live too.
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