DUBLIN, A LOVE STORY 40 SHADES OF WONDERFUL

NATHAN WALMER

Nearly a decade ago, I spent a summer I would never forget in the enchanting city of Dublin, Ireland.

And it was love at first sight as we made our descent down to Dublin Airport.

40 Shades of Green

Looking out the window I could see its centuries-old architecture elegantly mixed with the state-of-the-art, the River Liffey flowing through the heart of the city, and the ‘40 Shades of Green’ Johnny Cash describes in his tribute song to Ireland and its lush, green beauty.

In this spirit, here are several ‘must-sees’ if you should be so lucky to visit Dublin and meet its famously friendly people.

The Guinness Storehouse

Why not start your Dublin adventure by submerging yourself in the Irish stout that’s synonymous with the country? Brewed at the Guinness Storehouse since 1759, every tour begins with a glimpse of the 9,000year lease agreement to rent the factory at a cost of £45 per year by Arthur Guinness in 1759.

From here you will ascend the museum’s seven floors that surround a glass atrium made to look like a pint of Guinness. On the top floor, or the ‘head of the pint’ if you will, is the ‘Gravity Bar’ offering a 360-degree panoramic view of the city, which you get to enjoy with a complimentary pint of ‘the black stuff’. Make sure you get a ‘STOUTie’ – a malt extract imprint onto the head of your Guinness in the image of your choice.

Dublin Castle

Built in the early 13th century on the site of a Viking fortress dating back to 930, Dublin Castle is centred in the heart of the city. This was the site of the original Dubh Linn (or ‘black pool’) where the Vikings built up a trading base and ultimately gave Dublin its name. For centuries the complex served as headquarters for English rule over Ireland until it was relinquished in 1922 following independence. Aside from featuring castle ruins, an extensive history and worldrenowned institutions such as the Chester Beatty Library, the castle complex’s beautiful grounds and gardens alone make it worth the visit.

Trinity College Dublin

Trinity College, which was founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I, is Ireland’s oldest university. Aside from remaining an active university today, its stunning campus and historical artefacts also make it one of Dublin’s most popular tourist attractions. The Old Library, considered one of the world’s most magnificent, is home to Ireland’s greatest cultural treasure: the famous medieval manuscript ‘The Book of Kells’. Once you’ve exhausted yourself with the history, stretch out on the grass in the on-campus beer garden The Pavilion, which welcomes students and non-students alike.

Croke Park

Whether you’re a sports fan or not, a visit to Dublin’s Croke Park offers an immersive look at Irish culture. Known to locals simply as ‘Croker’, it also plays host to major music acts and even Pope Francis in 2018. Croker seats 82,300 people, making it the thirdlargest stadium in Europe. Even if you don’t catch a live event there, you can visit its Gaelic games museum, take a stadium tour and finish off with a skyline tour for death- defying views of Dublin from a rooftop platform suspended over the pitch itself.

St Patrick’s Cathedral

In the spirit of St Patrick’s Day, what good would a list be without including St Patrick’s Cathedral? As Ireland’s largest and tallest cathedral though, it is a fantastic place to see any time of year. The church, which was erected between 1191 and 1260, is built on the site of a well that was apparently used by St Patrick himself to baptise local Celtic chieftains in the 5th century. Tours are open to the public, and during school term you may see its world-famous choir perform daily.

Phoenix Park

Most visitors forget they’re in a major city when they enter the 7 sq km confines of what is the largest urban park in any European capital. Be it renting bikes, picnicking, searching for the park’s native deer population or visiting Dublin Zoo (founded in 1831, it is one of the world’s oldest), there’s loads to see and do here. The official residence of the president of Ireland is also within the park’s gates and free to tour.

Choose these five as your pit-stops and you’ll be singing their praises for the rest of your days

Nathan Walmer

Captured in the books of James Joyce and more recently Roddy Doyle, Ireland’s urban charm is undeniable.

But as much as we might like to retrace the steps of Leopold Bloom and Jimmy Rabbitte from ‘The Commitments’, the capital is only one small slice of it.

Lots of exploring!

If you are keen on venturing outside of the bustling capital, there is no shortage of quaint towns and seaside cities to explore in Ireland.

Here are some of the most highly recommended: Cork

Although best-known for the Blarney Castle and Stone which sit just outside the city, where thousands flock in search of the Gift of the Gab, Cork itself should not be overlooked. As the third largest city, it is considered its culinary capital and no trip is complete without a visit to its crown jewels, the English Market, which is widely acclaimed as one of the finest covered markets in Europe. Dubbed the ‘Rebel City’, Cork has a rich history of rebellion worth discovering at its Cork City Gaol and Collins Barracks Museum. For less violent historical content, there’s also the Butter Museum, which covers the story of Ireland’s most important food export. All in all, there is much to see and do in this seaside city.

Dingle

The Dingle Peninsula and surrounding areas are well-known as some of Ireland’s most scenic drives, but the town of Dingle deserves a visit too as it is one of the most quaint and charming towns in all of Ireland. ‘Surfing’ and ‘Ireland’ are two words that might not seem like they belong together, but in picturesque Dingle Bay there are all manner of oceanic activities, including surfing lessons, kayaking, and whalewatching excursions. You may also see a wealth of marine life at the ‘Oceanworld’ aquarium which is Ireland’s largest. If you prefer to ‘drink like a fish’ rather than see any, you’re also in luck! For a humble town of about 2,000 inhabitants, Dingle boasts a whopping 30 pubs - an impressive ratio of one pub for every 66 residents. The Dingle