My Dublin Summer Wrapped

I can’t believe my summer in Dublin has come to an end. I spent eight and a half weeks learning the ins and outs of this vibrant city, and just as I settled in, I had to pick up everything and leave. Despite the fact that I only spent two months there, I still believe that completing an internship abroad in Dublin transformed who I am. I think I left a little part of myself on a bench in St. Stephen’s Green or in a train car on the Luas.

As I’m reflecting on the summer I spent in Dublin, I wanted to put together a list of all the notable places I went. Not only was this a great way to track my explorations in Ireland, but it’s also something that could help other incoming study abroad students soon to be arriving in Dublin. Think of the following list as a Spotify Wrapped of sorts. It contains the best places, the favorites, and the most underrated spots in and around Dublin. If you or someone you know is studying in Dublin soon, here are my recommendations for places to visit and things to do.

Sightseeing, Museums, and Historical Sites

• Most Visited: Trinity College Campus
• Most Beautiful: National Gallery of Ireland
• Most Worth the Money: Book of Kells and The Long Room (Trinity College)
• Most Underrated: Museum of Literature Ireland
• Best Hidden Gem: Malahide Castle

Parks and Recreation

• Most Visited: St. Stephen’s Green and St. Patrick’s Park
• Most Beautiful: National Botanic Gardens
• Most Relaxing: St. Stephen’s Green
• Most Worth the Pain: Howth Cliff Walk + A Tiny Hidden Beach
• Best Hidden Gem: Killiney Hill Park

Food

• Most Visited: Cloud Nine
• Best Breakfast: Parnell Street Bakery
• Best Lunch: Sprout or The Fumbally
• Best Dinner: Murray’s Bar and Grill
• Best Affordable Food: Pret A Manger and Bambino
• Best Sweets: Cloud Nine and The Rolling Donut
• Best Grocery Store: Lidl

Shopping

• Most Visited: Jervis Centre
• Best Window Shopping: Grafton Street
• Most Useful Shopping: Boots
• Most Unique Shopping: George’s Street Arcade
• Best Affordable Shopping: Penney’s and Dunnes
• Best Clothing Store: Stradivarius
• Best Bookstore: Hodges Figgis
• Best Hidden Gem: Tesco Superstore in the Jervis Centre

Day Trips and Travel in Ireland

• Best Day Trip in County Dublin: Howth
• Easiest Day Trips in County Dublin: Dun Laoghaire and Dalkey
• Best Day Trip <90 Minutes from Dublin: Glendalough
• Best Trips Around Ireland: Galway and Cliffs of Moher
• Best Hidden Gems: Malahide and Sligo

And, as a bonus, here are my top tips and tricks for living in Dublin:

• Get a Leap Card for the public transportation as soon as you can. Those single Luas tickets can add up! Personally, I would get an adult card instead of a young adult or student one; the application process for the latter two cards can become annoying, and the student card I applied for was never delivered in the mail.
• The tap water in Dublin is fine to drink. Instead of spending money on a Brita, keep a few water bottles in the fridge that you can refill with tap water and keep cold.
• Keep an ongoing list in your notes app of places you want to go. You’ll come across so many interesting places while exploring the city that you might not remember which ones you wanted to visit when you’re looking for something to do.
• Download the TFI Live and/or Transit apps to incorporate public transportation into your daily commutes. 
• Always have an umbrella in your bag and wear layers. The weather in Dublin can change in minutes, and you don’t want to be caught in the rain or cold without the right attire.
• Have fun in a way that works for you! Yes, Dublin is known for its pub scene and nightlife, but don’t feel pressured to partake in them if that’s not your cup of tea. I’m not big on going out either, but I still managed to have an incredible summer doing what I felt was the most fun.