With only 48 hours in Dublin, my friend and I planned to do as much as we could in the little time that we had. If you missed our arrival to Ireland and the first morning of our trip, check out Dublin, Ireland: Part I. The journey only got better as the day went on.
What I Saw
After lunch, we spent the afternoon exploring some of the city’s most popular sight-seeing destinations: St. Patrick's Cathedral, the Ha'Penny Bridge, Dublin Castle, the Molly Malone statue, and Trinity College. We made sure to revisit St. Patrick's Cathedral at night to see it lit up green for St. Patrick’s Day.
What I Did
Rooted for Irish Rugby
As if the weekend’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations hadn’t drawn enough visitors to Dublin, the city was also hosting the final match of the Six Nation's Championship rugby tournament, Ireland v. England. In the spirit of the Irish, my friend and I set out to watch a broadcast of the match, but like most tourists, we did so in Temple Bar.
Appealing nonetheless, it adopted us – and thousands of others – as we cheered on the Irishmen and booed the British. Ireland ultimately won the match, and the energy in Dublin was even more electric than before.
What I Ate
The Old Storehouse Bar and Restaurant
With crowds celebrating the country’s victory, many of the restaurants in Temple Bar were only serving drinks, not food. My friend and I wound through the area’s cobblestone streets searching for an establishment open for dinner. We stumbled upon The Old Storehouse Bar and Restaurant and were ushered downstairs to O'Flaherty's, their basement entertainment pub.
We were seated at the end of a long dining table directly in front of the stage where performers were playing. Sitting at the table cafeteria-style, it was impossible not to talk with those next to you. For us, they were to two students from the University of Illinois also studying abroad. We talked about travel, school, and how we felt sorry for one of them for putting Maryland in the Final Four of his March Madness bracket (they are always a tournament disappointment!).
People sang, clapped, pounded on tables, and danced with friends to the band's joyful and celebratory tunes. Between the music and the conversation, I couldn’t tell you if I even ate the fish and chips that I had ordered. Authentic or not, the experience is one of my favorite memories from abroad.
One day in Dublin down, one to go! Dublin, Ireland: Part III is coming soon.
Destination Locations
- St. Patrick's Cathedral - St Patrick's Close, Wood Quay, Dublin 8, Ireland
- Ha'Penny Bridge - Bachelors Walk, North City, Dublin, Ireland
- Dublin Castle - Dame St, Dublin 2, Ireland
- Molly Malone statue - Suffolk St, Dublin 2, D02 KX03, Ireland
- Trinity College - College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland
- Temple Bar
- The Old Storehouse Bar and Restaurant - 3 Crown Alley, Temple Bar, Dublin, D02 CX67, Ireland
Síochána, Grá, Baile Átha Cliath,
A.J.H.
Curious about my other adventures? Visit Alyssa's Abroad Perspective for more.
Credits:
Alyssa Haduck