Dublin has surprised me, to be honest! Most people advised me to go take a bus or train to somewhere else, because Dublin would be kinda dull? But I actually enjoyed it quite a bit. I also went to Howth and I have to admit that that was my most favourite part of the trip, but I think I love nature more than cities.
But Dublin itself was nice! It’s compact, but still bigger than I thought it would be. The locals are incredibly nice and helpful (yup, Irish people really are the nicest!), the weather was actuallly quite nice (okay, it was FREEZING, very windy and at one point I got lost and all of a sudden found myself in a blizzard! Ten minutes later the sun shone again, haha! But there was not too much rain and quite a bit of sun, which I think is very rare in Ireland? ;) At least that was what my tour guide James told me.) and I guess those few days I was there were a little too short after all. But I have definitely seen a lot! It also had it downs, like my bankcard got blocked on the first night and it was quite a hassle to get some money somewhere! Note to self: always bring your creditcard with you! Also the buses are kinda expensive and not always that clear, so I got lost on my way to the Kilmainham Gaol and even ended up in a blizzard. I was soaked to the bone and so cold, but just got there just in time for the last tour, pfew! It was worth it though, an amazing piece of history and building!
But further than that, it was a great trip! I already miss the friendly Irish (and the ‘hi how are ye?’ at the shops, although I had no idea how to react to that. According to my tour guide James Irish people always respond with ‘hi, how are you?’ instead of giving an answer!) and the lovely accents and beautiful buildings and nature. It’s no Edinburgh, but it’s still pretty good ;)
I’m not sure what to say more about the trip. I’m not seeing my blog as a travel blog (for I hardly travel, I just happen to update the most when I do travel ;)) so I’m not going into recommendations too much. But a super short list of the things I enjoyed will do, right? I would definitely recommend everyone to go to Howth. You can go there by DART (train, takes about 30 minutes), a return ticket is just 5,75 (and you can also buy one for 13,20 that includes a day ticket for the bus!). It’s absolutely breathtaking and I do not regret I went there when I only had 2 full days in Dublin. It’s very much worth it! And of course they have free walking tours in Dublin as well. The concept of those tours is that the guides don’t get paid, they only get paid by the tips you give them. So they are trying their very best to make it worthwhile and interesting and are always enthusiastic and most of the time young as well! They are also always very happy with everything you give them (I only had like 2,50 euro left because of my stupid card) and they just give the most fun tours. Mine was called James and he was very fun and apparently knew everything about the movie ‘P.S. I love you’, which I found hilarious. One of my favourite restaurants was Govinda, which is very small and looks kinda weird on the outside, but is quiet good actually. It’s a vegetarian restaurant with a buffet, I got a small plate which actually was HUGE for just 5,50 euro! It’s nothing too fancy, but the food is good and so cheap! I stayed at The Generator hostel which was quite good and new (but there’s no kitchen there and they ask money for everything and the food/drinks aren’t that cheap! But the rooms are, so I guess that’s just the way they make money, which is okay because you can always choose not to eat/drink there :)). And well, that’s about it? I definitely enjoyed Dublin, I would definitely go back there :)
I didn’t take as much pictures as I usually do, but here are a few. They aren’t my best, but somehow I wasn’t that much in the mood to shoot pictures. I still have some more to share, but they will come later :) My shoulders ached from carrying my heavy DSLR with me everywhere, I have no idea how I did that on the InterRail trip? I’m definitely going to bring my Olympus Pen with me to London & Edinburgh!
(sorry for the incoherent babbling, writing blog posts is not my biggest ehrr… talent ;))
Nancy Wilde says
What’s too see in Howth? And how to get there?
Also, could you walk to Kilmainham Gaol or it’s a looong way to do it on foot?
I will stay right in front of Christ Church Cathedral. There are so many places I’d like to go, including Wicklow – have you been there?
I’ll definitely carry cash with me to avoid card issues!
By the way, I am loving your blog :) and sorry about all the questions!
Angélica says
Hi!
Howth is mostly known for it’s cliffs, I think. It’s very beautiful! There’s not much to do in Howth itself, I think, but the nature is worth it! You can go there by train (the DART) that leaves at Conolly Station :)
Kilmainhan Gaol is out of the city centre, so it might be walkable (but expect to walk like an hour or so?) but the bus is a lot better! I believe the museum for modern art is next to the Kilmainham Gaol as well, so you can combine that if you want :)
I haven’t been at Wicklow, just Howth & Dublin.
How long are you staying there? When are you going?
And it’s okay, if you have any questions, feel free to ask!
Nancy Wilde says
I am going in April 1st and leave on the 5th – few time, I know!
I doubt I manage to see all I want in such few days… Must do a pub crawl but I’m avoiding touristy things. I want to visit many gardens, parks, the Jameson distillery, cathedrals, Dublin Writers Museum, Botanic Gardens, cemeteries (like Glasnevin), Old Trinity Library, Kilmainham Gaol, Farmleigh, Temple Bar Food Marlet… woah, so many things, so little time!
There’s a castle in Howth, right?
Thanks for all the info!
Angélica says
Ah okay! Well at least the weather will most likely better than last week ;)
And I think that’s plenty of time! I was there for 3 nights, but it was more like 2 whole days and I already saw a lot! I do recommend the free walking tour, since it’s interesting and you’ll see a lot of things right away :) But if you’re not interested in the history of Dublin it could be a bit boring!
But Dublin is quite compact so I think you’ll be able to see all those things (or most of them)!
There’s no castle in Howth, sadly! Well, there is one apparently but it’s not directly in Howth I think.
Jade says
Those colored doors are so beautiful!
mireia says
Lovely pictures, as usual! I recognize most of the places, but where’s the building with the Dublin 1913 grafitti? And the colourful houses? I can’t remember those.
Dublin’s such a lively city. It may seem grey and dull to some, but it’s the people (and their accent? Did I mention how much I love Dublin accent?) that make it such a charming, special place in my opinion.
I totally forgot to recommend you Govinda’s, by the way! I always go there when I’m in Dublin, food’s dirt cheap but it’s amaaaazing! So glad you liked it, anyhoo! :D
Angélica says
Thank you! I actually expected it to be grey and dull but was pleasantly surprised by all the colourful pubs, graffiti, old buildings etc. etc.
The picture of the 1913 Dublin poster is.. eh.. nearby Conolly Train Station I think? I was on my way to that place when I took that picture. And which colourful houses? Do you mean Dublin Castle (according to my tour guide it’s also called Google Castle haha!) or the colourful doors?
Someone else recommended me Govinda’s though! I went there once and woaaaah I had soooo much food, so cheap! It’s amazing :D (Oh wait I think I mentioned that in my post and I think you read that so eh never mind haha, time to go to bed :P)
Annika says
ik wil mijn deur ook in een mooie kleur verven, so pretty!