15 Hours in Dublin
Dublin always seemed like one of those places that I’d only hear about and never visit. Then the summer of 2022 came around where I was living in Italy, and traveling within Europe can be very economical especially compared to the USA. I had a weekend off from work, and decided to search cheapest flights going anywhere that Friday night. Next thing I know, I planned my first solo trip within Europe. With my first stop being 15 hours in Dublin, on a $13 one way ticket. I went with just a backpack, with intentions of not sleeping that night and leaving the next morning on a 6 am flight to Amsterdam.
My day started leaving Italy around 6 am and I was in the Dublin City Center by noon. My mom didn’t know I was going and is worrisome so the first thing I did was upon arrival was FaceTime her outside the “Ha’Penny Bridge” to let her know I was in Dublin, she didn’t believe me of course until I showed her and then told me to be careful.
From there I had a lil espresso in this Italian bar and started my day. It was straight to “The Temple Bar” for some Guinness. The atmosphere in this bar was incredible. I’ve always wanted to drink Guinness in a Pub in Ireland and I finally was about to. Upon entering the bar, I can hear “Country Roads, Take Me Home” from 50 feet outside the bar, which was very welcoming and nostalgic as I went to college in West Virginia.
After having my first Guinness I went on my way to see what Dublin had to offer. I am always trying to see unique features of a city. I started off by going to the campus of Trinity College, which is Ireland’s oldest and most prestigious university founded in 1952. After satisfying my informative taste at this college it was off for more Guinness. I am a feen for known but not too overhyped finds in cities, and wanted to find this street called “Love Lane”. Simply just a street with some street art, and a wall of tiles of heartwarming sayings from: “ Tell your mother that you love her, and go out of your way for others”, “PEACE”, “Be yourself, everyone else is already taken”, “To the Moon and Back”, and much more. Nothing crazy but a cute aesthetic street to take a few photos. I got lucky there and ran into a friend, Mary Jane. After running into Mary I felt it was appropriate to take a break, and what would be more fitting than popping a seat in front of the Dublin Castle?
After enjoying a smoke in front of Dublin’s Castle, guess what was next? Another Guinness.Dublin has a Guinness factory, where there is a glass UFO looking bar with a panoramic view of all Dublin. You can even get your picture in the foam within the beer. I had always heard about this, so I decided I wanted to get a Guinness there. Only to be disappointed upon arrival, that you need a ticket, and the ticket’s for the day were already sold out. Understandable, but not only needing tickets, but also “sell out” seems like a financial fumble on Dublin’s part. Nonetheless, I didn’t get my picture in a Guinness that day. So pro tip, don’t forget to reserve tickets to the Guinness factory on your trip to Dublin.
After realizing I wasted some time to get to this factory I couldn’t get into, it was back to enjoying the day. But at this time maybe we’re approaching 4 or 5 in the afternoon and I’m getting hungry. My next Guinness was inside a place called “The Church Café Bar”. Which as you could guess was an old Church, turned restaurant/bar. It was strange to me but also a cool concept. I got my Guinness and decided to get Fish ‘n’ Chips to eat so I could compare it to London’s. Overall the meal was good and a the restaurant was a fun experience.
At this point the sun is starting to set and we were in the end game of the night as I knew I had to take a taxi around 3 or 4 am the next morning. Going to sleep that night was never an option as I hadn’t reserved a place to sleep anyways, but because that wasn’t a part of the plan. I enjoyed the sunset with Mary Jane outside another castle and then hit a bar called “The Brazen Head” which a local suggested me to go to because it’s one of Dublin’s oldest Pub’s. It was definitely a good time. A few locals had offered me a drink when they noticed I was by myself and we got to talking. They eventually offered me a “Baby Guinness” too. A baby Guinness consisting of coffee liqueur and Irish cream. I spent the next few hours here until I went back to “The Temple Bar” which was so packed it was hard to even get inside. The bar was decorated with lights and resembled Christmas in my opinion, it was a very pretty sight. To this day, still one of my favorite bars I ever got a beer in.
The really random side mission of this day trip came around midnight that night. I love going in a casino in new countries and see how they compare to the casino’s in the US. Well, that night when I was walking around the Temple Bar area, there were a few men always saying “casino, casino, blackjack” and would give me a card. Well after 7 Guinness’s I had to see what these guys were talking about. Next thing I know I’m in some shady room that we entered in a random door within the crowded street. It felt like something straight out of a movie. But it was fine, I didn’t feel I was in danger so I was going with it. There were maybe a few table games going, a few players, security, a few bartenders. We’re only talking 10-15 people at the most. It’s a quiet setting, it’s definitely some underground mob shit going on, and there I was. I was just minding my own business trying to make a quick come up. At this point I’m only here a few minutes, when I couldn’t believe how hard I got fucked. If you know blackjack you’re gonna say no way. I was playing my hands and got blackjack, 21. Then, the dealer flips 21, and takes my money!? I was literally like what the fuck are you doing, I have 21. He goes, so do I, you lose. At this point I started tweaking on this dealer. I know I didn’t lose much, thankfully but it’s just the principle of the matter. It was only my second or third hand, all I know is it finished with me making a lowkey scene in this place and I got out of there. It’s making my heart race just thinking about it! The worst part was the dealer telling me I don’t know how to play and that’s how it’s done, in this cigarette hotboxed basement in downtown Dublin.
After I got my casino satisfaction, I went back into Temple Bar for another Guinness. I stayed out until 2 or 3 am, drinking with Irishmen until it was time for me to call a taxi and go to the airport. That day I got to Amsterdam around 9 and stayed there that night.
Overall, Dublin was a great day trip, and a city I would love to go back to. 10/10 recommend for any beer lovers. Definitely would recommend to consider as one of your first cities to visit abroad as an American as English is spoken so you wont be overwhelmed by a language barrier.
Article by @Johnnyviaggi