First Day in Ireland: Dublin Delights and Little Treats

After an overnight flight from Chicago, we landed in Dublin, bleary-eyed but buzzing with excitement. Somehow, this overnight flight felt quicker than past ones—maybe it was the adrenaline, or maybe I finally mastered the art of passing out in an airplane seat (unlikely). Either way, we cleared customs, grabbed our bags, and emerged from Terminal 2, ready to officially begin our Irish adventure.

Waiting for us outside were two key players in our journey: Hannah, our Contiki tour manager, and Eric, our driver. These two would be our fearless leaders for the trip, and from the moment we met them, I knew we were in good hands. This wasn’t my first Contiki trip, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that they know how to turn a great trip into an unforgettable one. With introductions out of the way, we piled onto our bus, affectionately named "Theo," and hit the road for our first taste of Dublin.

Walking out of the airport in Dublin

Rolling into Dublin

Dublin is a city that doesn’t just whisper its history—it shouts it from the rooftops, plays it through buskers’ guitars, and pours it into perfectly poured pints of Guinness. As we rolled through the city, Hannah gave us a rapid-fire introduction to some of the highlights, and let me tell you, trying to absorb Dublin’s history while slightly sleep-deprived is a bit like trying to drink from a firehose.

Our first stop: the Temple Bar district. Now, let’s clear up a common misconception—Temple Bar isn’t a single bar (although the Temple Bar pub is a pretty iconic sight). It’s an entire area, packed with lively pubs, cobblestone streets, and enough live music to make you feel like you’ve stumbled into a permanent St. Patrick’s Day celebration. This district dates back to the 1600s, but for a while, it was actually a bit of a no-go area. It wasn’t until the 1980s that the city decided to revive it as Dublin’s cultural quarter, and boy, did they succeed.

Next, we passed by the Guinness Storehouse, a seven-story shrine to Ireland’s most famous beverage. While we didn’t go inside today, it’s worth noting that this isn’t just a brewery—it’s an experience. The Storehouse takes you through the brewing process, teaches you how to pour the perfect pint, and ends with a rooftop bar that offers some of the best views in Dublin (plus a free pint, which, let’s be honest, is half the reason people go).

Finally, we arrived at Trinity College, the oldest university in Ireland, founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I. Walking through the gates feels like stepping back in time—except for the occasional modern student rushing to class, probably running late because they got distracted by the same stunning architecture that we were gawking at. Trinity is most famous for the Long Room Library and the Book of Kells, a beautifully illustrated manuscript from the 9th century. While we didn’t have time for a full tour today, just being on campus was enough to make us feel a little bit more intellectual.

The Yard at Trinity College

The Great Dublin Little-Treat-a-thon

After a whirlwind introduction to the city, Hannah set us free for lunch and exploration. Naturally, we made the only logical decision: ice cream. And not just any ice cream—Murphy’s Ice Cream, an Irish institution known for its wildly unique flavors. I went for a heavenly combination of Baileys and salted caramel, while my friend Alicia took a leap of faith with the brown bread flavor. Yes, you read that right—brown bread ice cream. The texture was a little unexpected, but the flavor? Absolutely incredible.

Fueled by sugar and curiosity, we decided to continue what would soon be dubbed "The Great Dublin Little-Treat-a-Thon." Next up: Vietnamese iced white coffee. If you’ve never had one, let me tell you—it’s like a caffeine-infused hug for your soul, and exactly what we needed to fight off jet lag. Armed with our drinks, we meandered down Grafton Street, Dublin’s famous shopping and entertainment hub. This place has been a bustling thoroughfare since the 1700s, and today, it’s lined with shops, cafés, and some of the best street performers you’ll ever see. In fact, many famous Irish musicians, including Damien Rice and Hozier, got their start busking here.

Of course, no snack-a-thon is complete without chocolate, so we made a pit stop at Butler’s Chocolates. This place is legendary, and for good reason—their hot mochas come with a free piece of chocolate, and it’s the kind of rich, melt-in-your-mouth goodness that makes you consider moving to Ireland permanently.

A Moment of Calm in St. Stephen’s Green

With our mochas in hand, we made our way to St. Stephen’s Green, one of Dublin’s most beautiful parks. Once a private garden in the 1660s, it was transformed into a public park in 1880, and today, it’s an oasis of calm in the middle of the city. As we wandered past duck-filled ponds and flower beds bursting with color, we couldn’t help but marvel at how peaceful it all felt.

That peace, however, was short-lived, because the moment we left the park, we spotted a bookstore. And if there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I cannot resist a bookstore. We popped inside for a “quick look” (which everyone knows is code for “we will be here for at least 45 minutes”).

Wrapping Up the Day with a Classic Irish Pub Experience

Eventually, it was time to meet back with our group and hop on Theo again. We found ourselves temporarily delayed by a protest—though, as protests go, this one was incredibly civilized. There was chanting, sure, but there was also a level of politeness that made me wonder if they were all going to the pub together afterward.

International Women's Day Protest

Once back at our hotel, we had just enough time to freshen up before heading out for dinner at Nancy’s Hands, a cozy pub near Phoenix Park. If you’ve never had a traditional Irish pub meal before, let me set the scene: dim lighting, wooden interiors, the smell of something delicious wafting from the kitchen, and a musician in the corner playing the kind of music that makes you want to raise a glass and sing along (whether or not you know the words).

Our meal started with a classic: brown bread and tomato soup. Let me tell you, Irish brown bread is in a league of its own. It’s dense, hearty, and somehow manages to taste nostalgic, even if you’ve never had it before. Next up was bangers and mash—a plate of sausages, creamy mashed potatoes, and onion gravy that tasted like a warm hug. And for dessert? A decadent chocolate brownie that was so good, I briefly considered ordering a second one “for research purposes.”

With full bellies and happy hearts, we spent the rest of the evening listening to live music, laughing, and soaking in the warmth of the pub. Eventually, though, the exhaustion hit, and we made our way back to the hotel, ready to collapse into bed.

Up Next: Into the Irish Countryside

And that, my friends, was day one. A whirlwind of history, snacks, music, and laughter. Tomorrow, we leave Dublin behind and head into the Irish countryside, where rolling green hills, charming villages, and even more adventures await. Stay tuned—it’s only just beginning!