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I got word from some old friends that they were going to be in Ireland, while I was spending time in Italy in 2016. I piggy-backed off their trip, and spent some time with my friends Kevin and Alex in Ireland. It was a short flight, just 3 hours from Rome to Dublin. If the opportunity arises, I’ll be using Aerlingus again. I enjoyed the flight and the staff was friendly and attentive. Once in Dublin, the boys were supposed to pick me up at the airport. However, while waiting for me they were in the pub downstairs from our Airbnb and had just a wee bit too many pints of Guinness. So typical; it reminded me of our college days.
In Ireland: Day 1
I took a cab to the apartment and the process was very simple. Outside Dublin Airport their cab and bus areas are clearly marked, and they’re all lined up ready to help you. The driver was a very nice man, we had good conversation, and he made sure I found my friends before driving off. Since I was a young girl on my own in a new country, I was grateful for the assistance and care.
After getting settled in the Airbnb in Baldoyle, I needed some sustenance. We made our way downstairs and ate in the pub below (so cool!). The bar tender hadn’t believed the guys earlier when they said I would be drinking Guinness. So much so, that when we sat down at the bar he asked me what kind of wine I would like. I love my wine, but I’m in Ireland for goodness sake I’m drinking Guinness. We went into Dublin, mind you it’s a Monday night, and the nightlife was surprisingly happening! At every turn there is a pub, many of which have nice, loud, live music going at 7 pm on a weekday. We went “pub hopping” if you will, and Guinness was the drink of choice for the evening. It is true what they say, Guinness tastes better in Ireland.
Day 2
Day two had Tullamore and Galway on the itinerary. I worked at an Irish pub back home and our house Irish specialty shot is made with Tullamore Dew Whiskey. You never want to mention an “Irish Car Bomb” in Ireland. Truthfully it’s very insensitive to their history. It is named after the violence that occurred during the “Troubles” of Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain from the later 60’s to late 90’s where car bombings were common. Needless to say, I was excited to see the Tullamore Dew Whiskey Visitor Center.
From our apartment in Baldoyle it took about an hour and a half to get there. Most associate Ireland with green and let me just tell you… it’s GLOWING green. Even in the overcast weather the grass of the fields and meadows was incredibly bright. I rarely see that much grass in one place these days.
Tullamore
Pulling into Tullamore, I was in love. Such a lovely town and like Dublin pubs everywhere! The location is actually not the distillery, which resides on the outskirts of town. The Tullamore Dew Whiskey Visitor Center is more of an exhibit where you take a tour and learn about the distilling process, and enjoy a tasting at the end. This place is very effective when it comes to exposing their visitors to the process of whiskey making from beginning to end. The tour included learning about the ingredients, time frames, and their specialized stills, shaped especially for the creation of Tullamore Whiskey.
We sampled three different whiskeys (everything was centered around 3 because of their triple distillation process), one of which was The Old Bonded Warehouse release that can only be bought at their location. I like whiskey so it was fun, but they also have a gift shop (don’t worry I left with some swag) and a restaurant that’s a bit on the expensive side for myself being a single 20 something. Advice from our Ireland born tour guide: Never put water in your whiskey, ice isn’t safe either. There you have it folks, never water down your whiskey.
After the tasting we needed some food as the portions of each whiskey tasting were generous. Not far around the corner we picked a nice pub to stop in and get some grub. First time I’d ever seen wine on tap and the food was delicious.
Galway
About another hour and a half to the other side of the country (still strange for me), we arrived in Galway and took a self led walking tour of the city. We came across some ruins that had been found only about 20 years ago, and they trace back to the origins of the city in the 1600’s! With stops at St. Nicholas’s Collegiate Church and the Spanish Arches, we headed back into the city center. There was a full band playing in the middle of the street, and a few blocks down a woman clogging to music. Stopping in for some dinner at The Pie Maker, each of us got exquisitely delicious, savory pies with mash. I’d never had a savory meat pie before, but it won’t be my last.
We finished out our afternoon by grabbing some more beers at a pub. On the way out of Galway, I bought myself a Claddaugh ring. I’m of Irish descent, so it was important to me to have one. The history behind the rings is that they are passed down from your mother, and the way you wear it depends on your relationship status. Right hand outwards, no attachment. Right hand inwards, you are in a relationship. Left hand outwards, means you are engaged and left hand worn in towards yourself means that you are married.
We had a long drive back to our apartment so we stopped to get some snacks and beer to hang at the house with. It was a chill night catching up with old friends.
Day 3
Guiness Factory
My third and final full day, we bought our tickets online, for the Guiness Factory! They have student rates if you have your student ID, of course I left mine back in Italy so I wasn’t able to take advantage. Grab your tickets for the Guiness Factory at St James Gate.
Once inside, it’s a self guided tour with the text written on the walls, and short video clips shown throughout. There are several floors to go through there at St. James Gate, and there’s even a room or two for special events and private parties. This tour is such an experience learning how its made, the history of the beer, and how it folds into Irish history. They go so in depth, that they even have small models of the ships that carried the product for distribution. Top two favorite things about the tour were: 1) The Tasting room and 2) The Guinness Academy.
Tasting Room
The tasting room was so great I felt like I was walking around on Alderaan. *Star Wars fans unite* The walls were white and they had these columns with vapor coming out of them. Each one had a different flavor that you taste when you drink Guinness. You also receive a small shot glass with some of the beer so that as you go to each one, take a whiff of the vapor, and then take a small sip to identify what you are tasting. Fantastic sensory stuff going on in there.
The Guinness Academy
Guinness Academy is all about learning how to pour your own Guinness the correct way. As I was listening I checked things off the list. I value having learned correctly how to pour from the pub I worked in back home. It was fun to see how everyone else in the group stacked up to each other in their pours. We took our beers to the top floor, and gazed out the fully windowed walls overlooking Dublin from the bar. Not as much in that area of St. James Gate, but still quite the view. They also have two small cafes on different floors if you get a little hungry while you’re there. My suggestion is always to eat at local places though, it’s generally cheaper and a better experience.
After Guinness Guinness and more Guinness, we stopped at a pub for lunch. Oh. My. Goodness. Ham (bacon in Ireland), mashed potatoes, and cabbage. I could eat that three days a week, every week forever. So incredibly delicious. And another Guinness. (I wish I had kept count of mine, the boys had a running tally but I’m not sure what that ended up to be.)
Kilmainham Gaol
If you’re a history buff, Kilmainham Gaol would be a great place to visit. When I was in school I never really learned much at all about Ireland’s history. I’d heard of certain incidents but didn’t know much. The Kilmainham Gaol is a historic local jail. The jail itself has been turned into a museum where you can take guided and unguided tours. It opened in 1796 and closed in 1924. Many war prisoners and leaders of rebellions were held here, including the Irish civil war, Irish Republican Movement, etc… Crimes of the prisoners ranged from petty crimes, to rape and murder. As you are taken through the prison, they tell you stories of the prisoners lives, and the wars for which they fought. Kilmainham is a very popular destination, and it’s best to order tickets ahead as we did. You can order tickets online at Kilmainham Goal.
After the prison we decided to head back to the apartment and just grabbed some stuff to munch on. The chunk of Red Irish Cheddar I bought to have with my wine was out of this world! Some, wine, some cheese, a quick nap and back to home base, our downstairs pub. We spent the evening there talking with the locals and a few girls who came in for a pint.
Day 4
I suppose I should briefly describe my fourth day, although it wasn’t much of a full day. I woke up, packed up my schtuffs and then headed to the airport. One thing to mention: the boys had already rented a car for the week, (they were staying another 4 days, I was crashing they’re trip), so we could drive where we wanted to go. There was a fantastic restaurant right by the airport, which by the way was only about 15 minutes away from our apartment in Baldoyle, and I had again Bacon, mash and cabbage. My favorite and so delicious.
Hopped on the plane and back to Italy I went. It was an incredible adventure and I can’t wait to go back to see more of beautiful Ireland.
PS If you’d like to know more about my adventures in Italy, check out my blog post on my experience doing study abroad in Siena.
Until next time my Seawees <3
