Solo Saturday in Dublin
By Daniela Hoyos
Hello readers! I have survived my first week in Ireland and finally overcame the relentless jetlag. All week, I was looking forward to a full weekend in the city. Since I had only been in Ireland for one week and spent most of my time at my internship, I had not had enough time to make friends yet. However, I still have plenty of time in Dublin so I decided to take advantage of my freedom for the weekend and embark on a solo journey to explore some of Dublin’s many amazing sights. Join me for a recap of my day in the city center.
Bus and Brunch
First, I took the bus from my homestay to the city center using my student bus card. The trip was a little long but it gave me time to plan out my day. I ate brunch by myself at a restaurant called KC Peaches, which had plenty of options and a hot food bar which allowed me to serve myself and save time. After enjoying a tasty and nutritious meal, I input my next destination on Google Maps and made my way over.
National Museum of Ireland [Archaeology]
What better way to learn about a new country than at its very beginning? This cool museum had well preserved artifacts and exhibits that took me from the paleolithic era all the way to the present day. My favorite exhibits showcased swords and armor from medieval times, which reminded me of the Lord of the Rings series. It was very cool to learn about the history of Irish kings and their occupation by the Vikings and the British. The museum even had bodies that were preserved for hundreds of years in bogs, which were both creepy and extremely cool.
National Gallery of Ireland
My next stop was the National Gallery, which was right next door to the archaeology museum. The gallery was very grand, with numerous wings and plenty of art to explore. I saw some familiar names such as Picasso, Van Gogh, and Monet. I also learned a lot about Irish artists and history through their wonderful pieces. This museum is a great place to take cool instagram pictures. Both museums are also completely free! I really enjoyed my walkthrough.
A brief intermission for a muffin and water bottle – I cannot remember the name of the cafe but there are plenty in the area!
Oscar Wilde’s House
This next museum is inside Oscar Wilde’s childhood home right across the street from St. Stephen’s Green. I was able to pay the discounted fee for students which allowed me entrance into the house. There was an educational video on the life and times of Oscar Wilde which also provided more context on his home. Afterwards, I was free to walk through his house. I saw his childhood bedroom, and other cool rooms in the house. I really enjoy his literary works so I had a total fangirl moment. Then, I took a little trip to visit his statue across the street followed by a stroll through the park.
Grafton Street
Even though this street is very busy and slightly chaotic, Grafton Street has been my favorite street in Dublin so far. There were so many talented performers, so I just stopped to listen to a few songs there. A lot of the buskers play songs made famous by Irish artists, which is super cool. After spending some time on Grafton street, I walked around until I found an Indian restaurant to have dinner at before returning home.
Read more from Daniela
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