River Liffey, Dublin, Ireland
Dublin, Ireland, a city divided in half by The River Liffey, sprawling with architecture, art and museums. It’s a true starting place for anyone wishing for an introduction to life across the pond and wanting a starting point in their travel adventures.
I’ve been to Dublin three times in my life. My first visit to Ireland was in 1996 when I was 20 years old. Having grown up in a small town with a population of about 1,200, Dublin was the first major city in a different country that I had the pleasure to visit. At 20 years old, there really was only one thing that I wanted to do. I had two days and I wasn’t going to waste it on doing “tourist stuff.” I was young and I wanted to experience the nightlife. I wasn’t disappointed.
If you are interested in more than just the nightlife and you really want to have the best experience and create your own adventure, here are just a few tips to help you make the best out of your time in Dublin.
Weather- The mild climate makes every season suitable to visit Ireland. In summer, the average daytime temperature inland is approximately 64 degrees. During the winter months it does rain and sometimes Dublin does get to see some dust of snow once in a while.
When to go- The best time to visit Ireland is in April, May, and June, as well as in September and October. I have always made my trips to the Emerald Isle in October. The weather is cool and most of the tourists have gone home. I have found it to be the best time to go. Even though there are never any promises when it comes to Irish weather, spring and autumn tend to be relatively mild and have fewer crowds (and lower prices) than during the peak of summer.
What to wear- Make sure to have a good pair of comfortable walking shoes. Even though there are Hop-on and Off buses, taxis, Uber and Lyft in Dublin, you can manage to walk around the majority of Dublin within a days time. A good pair of walking shoes are preferable. Jeans and shorts in the summer months are okay, but the nights can get a little chilly so a pullover or light jacket should be carried in your backpack. If you are unsure what they day might bring, just dress in layers.
Dublin Pass- The Dublin Pass is a sightseeing package which grants visitors entry to over 30 top attractions, museums and monuments in Dublin, as well as a free 24 Hour hop on hop off bus tour. With other benefits like Fast Track Entry included, it’s the best way to explore Dublin, saving both time and money. You will want to buy your Dublin Pass online before your trip to get the best deal. The Dublin Pass is valid for 12 months from the date of purchase; your usage dates beginning the first time you use it. The Dublin Pass can be purchased in 1, 2, 3 and 5 day durations.
Money- When I first arrive I always find an ATM and pull some cash out. Not much but just enough to make small transactions, like tipping or paying tolls on the roadways. Visa and Mastercards are the main credit cards accepted. Few places will accept other major cards but I have found that this is not always the case. Some small businesses will not accept credit cards altogether, so make sure to check ahead when making that B&B reservation. When making major purchases, credit cards will get you the most favorable exchange rate. It is also advisable that when traveling outside the country to notify your bank and credit card companies of your itinerary. I always do this so that they do not freeze my accounts thinking that its fraud.
Cell Phones- If you are from the States and have one of the major cell phone carriers, be aware that you will not be able to use them while in Dublin, or if you are able to, you may be paying more on top of your plans cost. These charges can lead to surprisingly high cell phones bills when you get back home. I recommend going to one of the many carrier outlets in Dublin and picking up a SIM card. I was able to get a new SIM card for each of my phones. The plan for a whole month only cost about $20. This will allow you to make calls only in Ireland and will give you data to use when you’re out and about. This will allow you to use popular cell phone apps like Facebook, Facetime and Skype. I was able to use Facebook messenger to call my family when needed. If I had used my cell phone plan from home, I would’ve been paying $10 per day on top of my plan price. For two phones that would’ve been $240 for two weeks on top of my normal phone plan. Always check on this before you travel to make sure you get the best deal.
Medical Insurance- Internationally, they will not accept our American medical insurance. It would be smart to go online and find a provider. There are several out there and it is much cheaper to pay for it and not need it than to need it and not have it. I was able to get $2 million coverage for both my wife and I for just under $75 for the two weeks we were there.
