5 x Experience culture in Dublin – the things you can't not do
Ireland is Europe's fastest growing economy year after year, the Vikings were the first to establish a settlement here along the River Liffey in the ninth century (they called it Dubh Linn (Black Pool)) and it is home to a surprising number of world-famous musicians and authors. And yet, when most people think of a weekend in Dublin, they think of the famous Temple Bar. It's fun too! But Dublin is so much more than that. The city is blessed with beautiful Georgian architecture, world-class museums, libraries and so many beautiful public parks, and an astonishing number of Michelin-starred restaurants. And don't forget the Dubliners themselves: the friendliest people out there with the Gaelic feature craic (crack) - an innate humor.
It's a crazy idea that there are regularly more tourists than students walking around the impressive grounds Trinity College. Not surprising: most of these people come for the Book of Kells in the Trinity College Library. An architectural wonder where the Harry Potter references cannot be ignored. Most bibliophiles can only dream of this 'room' and it is beautiful. The Trinity College Library is the largest library in all of Ireland and it is home to the famous Book of Kells – an ornate, beautifully illuminated manuscript containing all four Gospels of the New Testament that is over 1000 years old.
The most famous section, known as The Long Room, is known to resemble the Jedi Archives in Star Wars. Unfortunately, the main library is only open to university employees, graduates and students, but that doesn't stop tourists from taking a look at the old library which is open to visitors.
Windmill Lane Studios (or Windmill Lane Recording Studios, if you prefer) is a household name to say the least in the Irish capital, already known for its rich music history. And that history strikingly often touched this Irish recording studio that opened its doors in 1978. On the edge of the city center (handy for having your Uber app to hand), the three-storey building is at 20 Ringsend Road. It was originally opened by recording engineer Brian Masterson on Windmill Lane Road, just off Sir John Rogerson's Quay and later moved to its current location, hence the name (aha). Originally the studio was used to record traditional Irish music. Until U2 came knocking. The drums on the album 'Boy' (1980) were recorded in the reception room of the recording studios, due to producer Steve Lillywhite's desire to “this wonderful clattery sound” to achieve.
After U2, Van Morrison, Kate Bush, Sinéad O'Connor and Elvis Costello followed, to name a few, and the film music for Mission Impossible was also recorded there. The studio is still in use, and how. Outside recording hours you can take a tour and see (and experience) for yourself where the magic happens.
Create a no brainer of course, but the National Gallery of Ireland is also really worth it. Save it for a rainy morning and stroll along the works in the colorful museum. The wings of the museum are filled with works of art by some of the most important painters in the world such as Rembrandt, Monet and Picasso. Beautiful, but it is also an excellent place to retreat and be inspired. There is both creativity and tranquility in the air, which makes it a wonderful place. And the National gallery of Ireland is completely free.
The National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology in Kildare Street is also worth a visit: the building itself is beautiful. Built in the Victorian Palladian style, it has a magnificent circular hall with a beautiful mosaic floor, a vaulted roof and a row of marble columns. And the party is also inside: the exhibitions range from prehistoric finds to famous bog bodies, such as the Old Croghan Man. There is Celtic art and art from the Viking Age. Anyone who loves history should not miss this one. Free too!
The number 1 sport in Dublin? Ok, that's Gaelic Football (if you can catch a match from that: do it), but almost as popular among the locals is rugby! There are more than thirty clubs in the city where you can catch a match (and there are many more, but you won't get involved). You won't get more Dublin with the locals. And it's fun... Promise.
For a relatively small capital, Dublin's Phoenix Park a heavyweight when it comes to metropolitan greenery. The park covers a grandiose 707 hectares (that's three times Central Park!) and is located just west of the city center above the River Liffey. It is the home of the president (who normally walks around there a few times a day with his dogs - they don't care about security in Ireland) and the park is also home to about 600 fallow deer. Introduced to the park for hunting in the 1660s, the deer now lead a languid life and can often be seen in the fields surrounding the Papal Cross. Morning is a good time to see them. And because of the size of the park, it's a wise idea to rent a bike. Just saying.