Most people look to escape the cold during the winter, but I somehow convinced my friends to join me on a trip to Ireland for Christmas break. I packed a coat that barely allows for movement, but it allowed me to survive the cold Irish winter in December, including a day trip to the Cliffs of Moher. Dublin at Christmas time was a beautiful weekend getaway and here’s how to take advantage of your time in Ireland, even when on a budget.
Transportation in Dublin
The airport is not too far from the city. The 747 bus leaves every 15 minutes from the airport and will take you 30 minutes to arrive at the Gardiner Street stop, where most hostels and B&Bs are. This is the route between Dublin Airport and Heuston Rail Station. This bus costs €7 for a single trip or €12 for a roundtrip. The last bus departing from the airport leaves at 12:30am. Go to the Airlink express site for up-to-date timetables, routes, and prices.
Buses 41 and 16 lead to O’Connell Street, which is near Dublin One Mall, a good centric point of reference. These buses cost €3.30 for a single journey and the driver accepts exact change only. Another option is the Aircoach, which runs 24 hours a day. It costs €7 for a single journey. A taxi or Uber from the airport roughly cost €27 to the city center.
Landmarks in Dublin
As always, I recommend a walking tour. This time I chose the popular SANDEMANs. They offer free tours departing at 10am, 11am, or 2pm (14:00) from Barnardo Square which is right in front of City Hall. Check their website for updated times and departing locations.
Dublin is very walkable and I recommend you prepare for rain and wind, especially during the winter.
Dublin Castle
The Dublin Castle dates from 1204 and it has two small museums and gardens. One of the gardens is small but cute, and it’s located on the rooftop. It’s a perfect place to chill over the summer, it’s too windy in the winder. Inside the castle, you’ll find the Chester Beatty Library with cushions to seat and relax. I went here to warm up and rest after the walking tour
Temple Bar
Temple Bar is a riverside neighborhood that is popular among tourists and locals alike. Its cobblestone streets give Dublin such a distinctive vibe along with the crowded pubs hosting live music almost every night, including the famous “Temple Bar” located in Temple bar, the neighborhood.
Trinity College
This beautiful college is located in the center of Dublin and it’s surrounded by many shops and restaurants. Trinity College is a notorious tourist destination because of its library holding the ‘Book of Kells’, an illuminated manuscript Gospel book in Latin dating back to the 9th century. The entrance fee to the library is €14 (€11 for students). I chose not to visit the library despite hearing good things since I only had one day to explore the city, and I was still able to appreciate the beauty of the campus for free.
Best Places to Eat in Dublin
You’ll find delicious food at any pub. An important thing to remember though is that kitchens close at 9pm (21:00). Besides pubs, Dublin has many other delicious options. A local favorite and my favorite by far is Cornucopia. This family-run business is centrally located in a large and beautiful Georgian-style home. Choose from several mouthwatering vegetarian and vegan dishes at their self-service counters.
Another popular and centrally located place is Bunsen Burgers, which has a simple yet delicious menu of affordable burgers and fries. There are also many kebab places in Dublin, but Zaytoon is the most popular one. It’s not the cheapest option, but it has the freshest ingredients. They even have a salmon kebab! There’s a branch in Temple Bar.
For dessert, Murphy’s Ice Cream is a must-try while in Dublin. This ice cream parlor is known for its extravagant flavors, such as salt, gin, brown bread, and more!
A Guide to Irish Pubs
The most local thing you can do in Dublin is to visit a local pub.
At any pub, pints range from €5-7 depending on the beer and most pubs have a good selection of draught beers, including the local favorite, Guinness. Which, for obvious reasons, tastes the best in Ireland. As a bartender mentioned, the beer kegs are almost literally rolled into the pub straight from the brewery.
Porterhouse ended up being my go-to pub. It’s a three-story pub with a good selection of home-brewed craft beers, good service, decent prices, and great live music. It’s right around the corner from City Hall, which is also near Temple Bar.
The Brazen Head claims to be the oldest pub in Ireland, dating back to 1198. The food looked amazing but a reservation is recommended for dinner time. I drank a pint of Guinness and relaxed by the fireplace. There’s live music every night at 9:30pm (21:30).
The Wild Duck is an expensive but gorgeous pub in Temple Bar. It’s quite big so you have a bigger chance of finding a seat. As in any pub, the decorations are plenty and random, but, in my opinion, Wild Duck had the best decor out of all the pubs I visited. I was especially attracted to the entrance which was covered with lights during Christmas. It made it hard to miss the pub despite it being located in a small alley.
Mulligan’s is an 18th-century riverside pub frequented by an older crowd of locals, which makes for a quieter, more relaxing night if you’re looking to have a conversation instead of listening to live music. The decorations are simple, unlike the bars on Temple Bar but without lacking a good selection of draught beers.
McNeill’s is also frequented by locals since it has the cheapest pints at €4, but keep in mind they only accept cash. There’s live music on Thursdays at 9:30pm (21:30).
Copper Face Jack’s was recommended by a local as THE nightclub to dance in Dublin. Also serving lunch.
Local tips for Dublin
Museums are free in Dublin!
All of the national museums are free! These are the National Gallery (next to Trinity College), the Irish Whiskey Museum, the Archeological Museum, which is next to the National Library, and the Collin Barracks Museum, exhibiting military uniforms and replicas of weapons.
In general, Dublin is an expensive city compared to a lot of European cities, but it has so much to offer. A cover is normally charged at a bar in other cities if there’s a local band playing. In Dublin, the shows are free and the musicians are also talented, at least, in my experience.
I really loved the random decor in most pubs, the beer variety, the amazing food, and portions, as well as the friendliness of the local islanders. Remember to dress for the occasion since Dublin will most likely be rainy and chilly in any season. Despite the weather, remember to always BE PRESENT during your trip, and follow me on Instagram @bpresent.blog for updated travel pics & tips.