Curator’s statement
Ireland is for lovers of nature, music, humor and wit, language and literature, beer, French fries, and golf—it checks off every box of everything that matters in life. Ireland was my first ever international solo trip in my early 20s. I went again in my late 20s and yet again in my mid-40s. I will return to Ireland for as long as I can move. I fall madly in love with it in a new way each visit. The capital city of Dublin is bursting with culture, and the surrounding countryside—an outdoorsy person’s dream—is especially beautiful during the shoulder seasons (fall and spring). Pound-for-pound, Dublin is as great a party city as Amsterdam, albeit more wholesome—it’s an excellent place for bachelor/bachelorette parties. The city center of Dublin is a cobblestoned street district called Temple Bar, perfectly laid out for pub-hopping. Plan your Ireland visit so that you’re in Dublin on Friday and Saturday nights—that’s when locals and tourists alike pack into Temple Bar’s pubs like sardines to see the superb local cover bands. The best of these live bands can be found at Fitzsimon’s, The Temple Bar, The Auld Dubliner, and the Oliver St. John Gogarty, but keep walking into bars all night as long as you have the stamina. The party never ends. The Irish have an expression—“good craic”—that doesn’t translate to English very well, but you’ll know it when you see it in Temple Bar. It means something like “the vibes are immaculate.” Have you ever experienced a bar jam-packed with hundreds of people all doing a Beatles sing-along together at the top of their lungs? You should. Now, you ask, what about the next day? What’s the best way to shake off a Dublin-induced hangover? An excursion into the Irish countryside for some fresh Irish air and activity is the perfect antidote.
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Where to stay in Ireland
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Things to do in Ireland
Kilkenny Castle, an hour and a half outside Dublin
Best day trips from Dublin
Wicklow Mountains: This national park, about 50 minutes outside of Dublin, is a beautiful place for a hike.
Giant’s Causeway: Several day-trip providers can take you from Dublin to this natural wonder and UNESCO World Heritage Site in Northern Ireland. It’s about a three-hour drive from Dublin, but it’s well worth it, especially if you pair it with a stop in Belfast.
Powerscourt Golf Club/Powerscourt Estate: Enjoy a day playing golf at this stunning course. The adjacent Powerscourt Estate boasts marvelous gardens that National Geographic named the third-best in the world (only after Versailles and Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew).
Howth: An adorable little fishing village about a 40-minute train ride from Dublin. Rent a boat and some fishing equipment and go fishing for the day.
Kilkenny Castle and town: A magnificent castle and charming small town—with a quaint Ireland feel—about 1.5 hours outside of Dublin.
Where to shop
Grafton Street is the main shopping thoroughfare.
Avoca: A design store with everything from fun, colorful home accents to clothes to textiles. Stop by the café for some scones.
Brown Thomas: An elegant department store carrying designer fashions.
Aran Sweater Market: Ireland is famous for its excellent wool, and nearly every Irish souvenir shop carries a strong selection of Irish-made wool products. My favorite of these shops is Aran Sweater Market. Here, you’ll find great fisherman’s sweaters, cardigans, tweed jackets, scarves, blankets, throws—everything you need to get you through a rough American winter back home.
Places to eat & drink in Ireland
Fish and chips from Leo Burdock enjoyed outside of Christ Church Cathedral
Leo Burdock and Beshoff are tied for the best fish and chips in Dublin. Pick some up and head to St. Stephen’s Green Park for a perfect lunch.
For fast food, the Irish like something called “toasties,” which, as far as I can tell, are paninis made with Irish soda bread. They’re yummy and filling. The best place for these is Griolladh Thomas.
Don’t miss a visit to The Guinness Storehouse at St. James's Gate for a perfect pour and lovely view of Dublin.
Whiskey lovers should beeline to Jameson Distillery for tastings straight from the source.
Vice Coffee makes the best Irish coffee in Dublin. For the uninitiated, Irish coffee is a concoction that includes whiskey and whipped cream.
Head to The Boxty House for Dublin's best corned beef and cabbage.
Head to The Brazen Head for Dublin’s best beef and Guinness stew.
Whenever I’m in Dublin, I treat myself to one Butler’s hot chocolate per day. A life goal is to go back enough to try all the flavors.
Need to know
Some movies and music to get Irish eyes smiling, wherever you are:
Movie Binge List: Leap Year (romantic comedy), PS I Love You (romantic comedy), Joyride (comedy), The Guard (comedy), Philomena (comedy/drama), Once (romance), Circle of Friends (romance), The Quiet Man (romance), Angela’s Ashes (drama), The Quiet Girl (drama), In the Name of the Father (drama), My Left Foot (drama), Banshees of Inisherin (don’t even know what to call this, but it’s good), and Belfast (drama)
Music Playlist: “The Foggy Dew” by Sinead O’Connor, “Astral Weeks” by Van Morrison, “Theme from Harry’s Game” by Clannad, “Abigail Belle of Kilronen” by The Magnetic Fields, “Sleepy Maggie” by Ahsley MacIsaac, “Funky Ceili” by Black 47, “Sunday Bloody Sunday” by U2, “Galway Girl” by Ed Sheeran, “He Moved Through the Fair” by Sinead O’Connor
As always, I’m happy to book your hotel stay and arrange either a private tour guide or group tour for day trips or multi-day tours.
Travel Advisor
Eva Dilmanian
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For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Ireland page.