The emerald isle

Over spring break {which seems like forever ago now}, we visited Dublin, Ireland. Before traveling to The Emerald Isle, many people suggested we drive out to the countryside, as that is where the most stunning views of the country will be; however, because we only had two full days in the city, we opted just to stay in Dublin and explore.
 
To be honest, Dublin is like most large cities, particularly London, with similar architecture and activities. Two days was definitely plenty to see all of Dublin, so if we do happen to travel back to Ireland, I would like to skip the city and see the rolling hills + the cliffs. That being said, if you have two days in Dublin, there is plenty to do + see:

​Dublin Castle: While we didn’t go inside the castle to view the rooms, just seeing the castle and its architecture is pretty amazing. The fact that this giant structure still exists in the middle of their city is unbelievable. The castle has a beautiful garden to walk through {or to use as a backdrop during a proposal to the girl of your dreams ;)}. 

The happiest couple who got engaged in the castle gardens {and who happen to be our great friends!}. Talk about a trip of a lifetime!

Trinity College: Much like our trip to Cambridge, you can’t go inside the actual buildings, but walking around the campus and its courtyards are fun.

St. Stephen’s Green Park: Besides markets, if there is another part of Europe I really enjoy, it’s the parks. The large, open spaces with blossoming flowers definitely make for a nice place to gather with family + friends on a sunny, spring day.

We're the four best friends that anyone could have ;). 

St. Patrick’s Cathedral: The burial site of Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver’s Travels, is one that should not be missed. Further, the church, in comparison to other cathedrals we’ve visited, is interactive with a coloring + building area for children. 

The cathedral gardens above.

Irish Pubs: This is one of the top reasons to visit! In all seriousness though, the Irish know how to drink and have a good time. With lively music {at times, live bands}, colorful inner + outer décor, and friendly people, the Irish pubs are fun. I think because I’ve been able to experience the quiet English pubs so frequently, this was a nice, more energetic change of pace. The pubs we visited and really enjoyed are the following two: The Brazen Head {Ireland’s oldest bar} and Temple Bar.

Even during the day, there was so much energy around the Temple Bar area!

There are so many pubs to choose from while walking around!

There was so much character inside Brazen Head, with many references to America with its decor {which I loved!}. 

Jameson Distillery: We didn’t take the actual tour, but this is worth checking out for a quick drink. I loved the warehouse feel, with the exposed brick and piping. It reminded me a little of Chicago.

 My absolute favorite part of the trip was going on the Guinness Factory Tour. And because we spent hours there, it deserves its own post, so stay tuned for the condensed version of the tour! ​

Overall, the city of Dublin was easy to navigate + extremely walkable {we walked to most places you see posted here}. While it wasn't a city-escape, it was a bit livelier than what we typically experience in London, and for that, it was a worthwhile trip!