Why we went…
We took this trip to celebrate my parents 75th and 80th birthdays. We took a trip to Scotland ten years ago for their birthdays, and had always talked about getting to Ireland together. We also have Irish heritage so it has been on our bucket list.
How we got there…
The ten of us flew Aer Lingus non-stop from Los Angeles to Dublin. The flight was comfortable and the easiest way to get to Ireland.
where we stayed…
We stayed at the Morrison Hotel which is part of the Hilton Curio Collection. The hotel was very comfortable and very well situated just across the river from Temple Bar. The rooms were modern and spacious. The hotel had a great restaurant for breakfast and dinner. Most of all, we loved the walkability to all the main attractions in central Dublin.
What we did…
The first night we arrived in Dublin, we crossed the river to see Christ Church which was conveniently located next to Darkey Kellys, the pub where we wanted to have dinner. It was fun to see my 5 year old niece in awe of the beautiful and very old architecture.
Temple Bar is touristy, but it is definitely worth spending some time exploring the pubs and shops. We loved vibrant colors and the Irish music that emanated from each pub we passed. Walk in to any pub to grab a pint of Guinness and listed to some Irish music. The shops along here are mostly touristy, but it is a good place to pick up an Ireland national football (soccer) jersey.
Trinity College and the Book of Kells is a must. This was our first stop on our first full day in Dublin. We opted to take the tour which is given by a current student. I highly recommend the tour. It was fascinating to hear about the history of Trinity College and present day life as a student. Included in the tour is access to the library where the Book of Kells. The library itself is stunning.
The Dublin Castle is right in the center of Dublin and an easy walk from Temple Bar and the Book of Kells. Though far from our favorite castle of the trip, it is worth a visit. The kids loved quickly exploring the state rooms, and we got some great pics of the castle from the courtyard.
The highlight of the day was the Guiness Factory. The experience is extremely interactive and kid friendly. I highly recommend this experience for the whole family even if you do not drink Guinness (or don’t drink at all). We learned so much about the history of Guinness and the Guinness family, and the kids love the beautiful eye-catching displays. Definitely stop to get your face printed on a pint of Guinness (adults only for picture printing, but kids can join in the pub area). We also ate at one of the restaurants in the factory. The food was great, and we needed to get off our feet for a bit after a full morning of touring.
Our final stop of the day was Merchants Pub for the Irish Dance Party. We booked it as an activity where we could sit and relax after a full morning of being on our feet, and it turned out to be an awesome experience. It was interactive and enjoyable for all ages. My parents enjoyed watching the kids try out some Irish dance moves, and we all loved the music.
Where we ate (and drank)…
Darkey Kelly’s near Christ Church is a great Irish Pub. It was very crowded inside and the Irish music was a bit loud for the kids, but they have a great back patio.
The food at every Irish pub is pretty much the same so it was nice to mix it up with a South East Asian restaurant. Achara was great, and conveniently located along the river near the Temple Bar district. The kale fritters with fermented chili glaze were especially good.
If you are interested in tasting Irish Whiskey, the Whiskey Reserve located next to the Temple Bar is a great and convenient spot. They have several different tasting flights and the staff is friendly and knowledgeable.
The Temple Bar is probably the most expensive guinness in Dublin, but it is a fun bar and definitely worth stopping into for a drink and taking a pic in front of. We especially liked the cosy whiskey bar.
Bear Market is a great place to grab coffee and pastries. It is centrally located close to Trinity College and the Dublin Castle.
We loved Murphy’s for a good hearty breakfast. They had both Irish and American style breakfast items. And, of course, we have to eat at a restaurant called Murphy’s.
Traveling Lyons 