Follow Katie in Dublin
Katie truly had the luck of the Irish in Dublin! Read on to learn how you can get it too in the Emerald Isle.
Gallagher’s Boxty House
Get ready for one hell of a full cooked Irish with a Boxty at Gallagher’s.
Gallagher’s Boxty house, centrally located within the Temple Bar area, is a pumping brunch spot offering a wide brunch menu. Named for the boxty - a type of traditional potato pancake - this cafe claims to be the only home of the traditional Irish delicacy.
“We serve the 3 types of Boxty found in the border counties of Leitrim, Cavan and Fermanagh.
Beginning in 1988, Pádraic Óg Gallagher perfected the Leitrim Pan Boxty, A light Boxty Pancake served with a variety of fillings.
Through the years, Pádraic Óg and his Chefs developed a range of Boxty Dishes which are served in a variety of ways at the Boxty House to showcase the best of Irish Produce.”
https://www.boxtyhouse.ie/
They also have live Irish music every Sunday, so no matter what time of the week you’re around, make sure to drop in!
Joker’s Chair
Get comfy on the bronze Joker’s Chair in honour of Dermot Morgan.
Dermot Morgan was one of Ireland’s greatest comedians. Known in particular for his sharp wit around political and religious satire, he was so effective in balancing comedy and commentary that even the powers at be were huge fans. His most famous work, Father Ted, was a worldwide sensation and families the world-over (mind included) still have the DVD boxset to this day.
Dermot met an untimely death shortly after the wrap party of Father Ted, and so strong was his impact that the Irish government felt it necessary to honour him in one of Dublin’s most significant public spaces. Merrion Square park plays host to statues and memorials to many of Ireland’s greats, including none other than Oscar Wilde. As a successful political satirist, Dermot effectively embodied the role of the royal jester. For this reason, his memorial is signified by a large bronze throne, with his name etched into the front.
The beautiful statue and parklands are just a short walk from Temple Bar, and on a sunny day, make the perfect pre-brunch stroll.
Experience Irish Whiskey @ the Palace Bar
The Irish Coffee & Whiskey Masterclass at the historic Palace Bar is an absolute must when in Dublin.
When planning my day in Dublin, I was focused on Irish specialties in name and spirit. So what better example is there of this than Irish Coffee? I found Experience Irish Whiskey’s class, hosted by Derek King, on Air BnB, though I recommend going direct through their website so you can see their full range of offerings. I’m a coffee lover, but not a whiskey lover, so I wasn’t too sure what to expect from this class. What we got was an extremely warm, friendly, informative and fun experience with ample laughs and booze. I can’t recommend this class enough!
1837 Bar & Brasserie at Guinness Storehouse
Enjoy a delicious lunch at 1837 Bar & Brasserie before exploring the Guinness Storehouse.
The Guinness Storehouse has a few different food offerings, and we settled for the most robust of them as we knew we would need a bit of stomach lining. 1837 Bar & Brasserie has an appealing menu which, among other things, features Irish Soda Bread & local oysters. Naturally, we had to try both of these things.
The soda bread on the side of my soup of the day was fresh, soft and sweet. It was a comforting meal that has understandably stood the test of time. But the real star of the show was the famous combination of oysters and Guinness. The oysters were locally sourced from about an hour up the way, and they were possibly the best oysters we’ve ever tasted. Combine that with the freshest Guinness your likely to ever drink, and you are truly onto a winner.
The service here was also excellent. It is worth noting that the food vendors inside the Storehouse are only accessible with a ticket to the museum - so don’t add this to your list unless you’re interested in the full Guinness experience. Speaking of which…
Guinness Storehouse
Getting into the tourist spirit in the Guinness Storehouse.
Yes, it may be one of the most touristic things you can do in Dublin. Yes, it was brimming with tourists from top to bottom. And yes, it is basically one giant add for Guinness. But hey. I was a tourist. And I like Guinness. Moreover, Benny and I have a specific interest in the beer industry so I was keen to learn about one of the most famous brewers in the world, and to try it fresh from the source.
After having a very satisfying lunch at the top of the Storehouse, we made our way through the entire museum in a few hours. It is a very interactive, detailed experience and even features a Wonka-style laboratory where you see, sniff and taste the brewing process. We were also lucky enough to catch the final Bodhrán Buzz class of the day, where Benny got to live his drummer fantasy. You finish at the Sky Bar at the top with your complimentary pint of Guinness overlooking the city with 360 degree views. If you don’t mind feeling a tourist when you are actually a tourist, I do recommend this experience!
Stag’s Head
The Stag’s Head’s impressive, classic Dublin facade.
The Stag’s Head is one of many beautiful Victorian pubs throughout Dublin. With gold detailing, chandeliers and restored wooden panelling throughout, you feel fully immersed in the Dubliner experience here. Having one national hospitality awards as a traditional venue and serving hearty pub grub (which can be surprisingly hard to find in the city), this pub is one of the nice alternatives to the famous Temple Bar pub that is so iconic.
The real draw card for us however, was their downstairs live music venue, known unofficially as the Stag’s Tail. Every Friday & Saturday night they welcome, Craic Agus Ceoil with Trad Power Tio, who get the room up and dancing with their trad, rebel & folk songs as well as covers. We had a great time sinking pints and singing along down here and if you’re in the area over a weekend, try to make a stop in here!
If you need any further convincing of any of these activities, you mustn’t have watched the episode yet. So, do it now!
