Ireland

I proudly tell people that I’m a quarter Irish although many question my honesty. I like to think I’m as fun and witty as Irish people. Sadly, I think I’m the only one who thinks that. Anyways, Ireland wasn’t ALWAYS on my radar even with it being part of my heritage. I thought, yeah I’d like to go one day, but I have other countries that I’d like to visit first. Well, when a deal pops up…I go for it without hesitation! Man, am I glad I did. Ireland was absolutely stunning. It was full of culture, scenery, and plenty of Guinness.

Where we stayed

Our first choice was of course Dublin, but after many searches and not finding anything reasonably priced, I decided to look a little further out. I came across an area called Tallaght, which is about 30 minutes away from Dublin. The price was significantly lower and there was a metro stop right in front of the hotel, so we booked it.

• Gladhaus Hotel: Belgard Square West, Tallaght, Dublin 24, Ireland
• Cost: $187.42 total for 3 nights (double occupancy room)
• Luas Tram located in front of hotel building for easy transportation to Dublin
• Shuttle from airport to Tallaght
  • Drop off is at shopping center right across from hotel
  • Cost: $15.25
  • Booked through airporthopper.ie/tallaght-timetable/

Things to Know

• Laus Tram is extremely convenient to get around Dublin
  • Last tram runs at midnight, so plan accordingly
  • Look up stops in advance through website or by entering your route in Google
  • One way fare: 2.70 Euro
  • BUY YOUR TICKET! Do not try to cheat the system. Buy your ticket at the stops and scan them after departure
  • There will be random checks for tickets and tourists are usually targeted. Avoid the 50 Euro fine of not having a valid ticket
• Exchange enough currency for transportation fares such as tram tickets and taxi – cards do not always work
• Do a fair amount of research in advance to book tours and attractions in order to avoid long lines and issues
• Dublin is wonderful, but please go out and explore the countryside of Ireland

Things to Do

There are countless things to do in Ireland! From touring castles to kissing the Blarney stone. I am going to list the attractions that I visited during my short weekend stay.

• Guinness Storehouse
  • A gorgeous building consisting of many levels that take you through the process of making the perfect glass of Guinness
  • Self-guided tour so feel free to go at your own pace and spend as much time as you’d like here
  • Get the Guinness beef stew over mashed potatoes at the café!
  • Ticket includes one free pint of Guinness at the Gravity Bar
  • Gravity Bar: 360 degree view of Dublin
  • Cost: 18 Euro
  • Website: http://www.guinness-storehouse.com/en/tickets
• Jameson Distillery
  • Whiskey is my first love, so I enjoyed this tour over the Guinness tour
  • Guided tour that takes you through the entire Jameson making process
  • Bar with delicious cocktails that you can purchase to take along with you to sip during the tour
  • Ticket includes one free drink after tour (Jameson straight or Jameson & ginger)
  • Tastings of three different types of whiskey to compare
  • Cost: 14.40 Euro
  • Website: https://bookings.jamesonwhiskey.com/Dublin
• Vintage Cocktail Club VCC
  • A speakeasy in Temple Bar area
  • Make reservations in advance through e-mail
• Cliffs of Moher Tour – A MUST!
  • Explore the Cliffs of Moher, Galway Burren, Doolin, and a few other attractions
  • Departure from Dublin
  • Cost: $49.00
  • Booked through Irish Day Tours
• Visit as many pubs as possible in Dublin!
  • Temple Bar is lively and extremely crowded – mostly tourists

Photos

Galway Burren

Dublin Nightlife

Galway Bay

Doolin

Jameson Distillery

Guinness Storehouse

Dublin

VCC

Cliffs of Moher

 Ireland Vlog