My Travel Bucket List: Dublin, Ireland has memories ready and waiting

My sister has been to Dublin, Ireland. And I am not jealous in the least. Not at all. It’s a city that I’ve always wanted to travel to, though I’m not always sure why. Luxor makes sense given my interest in Ancient Egypt. And Mexico is a no-brainer due to my love of the food and culture.

In the case of Dublin, there isn’t as obvious a reason that jumps out in the same way it does in those cases. But I want to go, all the same. And being that travel isn’t in the cards in the near future, I should have plenty of time to figure out what and where as well as why.

Why some people go to Dublin

Dublin is not a small city, to say the least. The greater metropolitan area boasts a population of well over a million people. Sure, there are a lot of cities much bigger than that but it also means that it’s a city that’s big enough to get into some really good trouble.

Naturally, a lot of travelers go there to drink, And in some cases, they go there to party until something either goes really well or really poorly. Whichever option you choose, Dublin likely has a pub that will suit you perfectly. Just try to not piss the locals off.

Naturally, a lot of tourists head to Dublin for the history of this magnificent city. This city can trace that history back for much more than a millennium. And for most of that time, it has been at the figurative center of all aspects of Ireland’s culture.

There’s no shortage of sights to see and sites to visit. But there is more to Dublin than the pubs and the castles, not that you shouldn’t be checking them out. This is a vibrant city that has more than earned your attention.

The pieces of the puzzle

Am I going to spend a bunch of time eating, drinking, and generally enjoying myself? Of course. I’d be stupid not to. At the same time, finding great spots to eat and a pint is part of most of my trips. That’s not specifically why I want to go to Dublin.

Dublin is a beautiful city, both due to its deeply historic buildings and due to its modern architecture. There are so many parts of this city that I just want to wander around and take in. It’s a shame to not let that experience happen.

Each neighborhood has its own distinct identity that makes it unique. At the same time, they’re still part of what makes Dublin the community the world has come to know and love. These smaller pieces come together to make something truly amazing.

You also can’t ignore the location of the city. It’s close to both the sea and the Wicklow Mountains. Each of them has had its own impacts on Dublin, meaning they are also part of its identity. As such, exploration of them is also in order.

Planning the trip

I don’t know if this is trite or not, but my personal dream is to stay in the Temple Bar neighborhood. It’s right on the Liffey, tucked away between Trinity College and Grafton Street, which puts it right in the mix.

There are numerous places to stay, like Harding Hotel, Temple Bar Hotel, or The Clarence. I have to admit that I find The Fleet Hotel particularly appealing, due in no small part to its look, style, and location in the area.

There are a lot of places to eat in Temple Bar, as well as things to do. This neighborhood has several great art galleries, which is something I always have fun exploring. That being said, I don’t plan on sequestering myself in one area. Dublin has too much to offer.

Yeah, I’m going to go sightseeing. I’m going to end up doing a lot of touristy things while I’m there. But hopefully, I’ll also be able to spot a small part of Dublin’s soul while I’m at it. And if that happens, maybe I’ll finally understand my own fascination with this city.