March 2, 2025

157. Ireland - Dublin Part 2 - Modern Culture & Living Local

Show Notes
Transcript

Experience Dublin like a local with Johnny Mac! From the perfect pint at the Guinness Storehouse to hidden gems in Stoneybatter, discover the vibrant culture of modern Dublin. Get expert advice on the best traditional pubs, contemporary restaurants, and local neighborhoods that tourists often miss. Learn where to find live music, artisanal food markets, and authentic Irish experiences beyond the tourist trail

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Calaroga Shark Media.

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Hey everyone, Johnny mackare with Travel is back Today. We're

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diving into modern Dublin, a city that perfectly blends its

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rich history with an incredibly vibrant contemporary culture. From world

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class museums to amazing food markets, and from literary landmarks

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to the perfect pint of Guinness.

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We're going to explore the Dublin that locals know and love.

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Let's dive in.

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Let's start with what's probably Dublin's most famous modern attraction,

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the Guinness Storehouse. Now some might call it touristy, but

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there's a reason it's Ireland's most visited site. This seventh

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story experience is actually fascinating, even if you're not a

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beer drinker. Here's what you need to know. Book your

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tickets online and go early in the day. The price

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includes a pint at the Gravity bar on the top floor,

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and you'll want to time your visit so you're up

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there around sunset. The three hundred and sixty degree views

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of Dublin incredible. Speaking of Irish drinks, let's talk about

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pub culture, because it's.

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About much more than just drinking.

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Traditional pubs are really the living rooms of Dublin where

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people gather to chat, listen to music, and share stories.

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While Temple Bar has its famous pubs, locals tend to

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favor spots like Keyhose on South Ann Street, Mulligan's on

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Poolbeg Street, or The Long Haul on South Great Georgia Street.

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These pubs have maintained their Victorian interiors and authentic atmosphere.

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Here's an insider tip about Dublin pubs. Look for ones

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that still have snugs, small and closed seating areas that

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date back to when it wasn't socially acceptable for women

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to be seen in pubs. They're now some of the

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coziest spots to enjoy a pint and chat with friends. Now,

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let's explore Dublin's incredible literary heritage that's still very much

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alive today. The Dublin Writers Museum and a beautiful Georgian

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house on Parnell Square tells the story of Irish literature.

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But for something more dynamic, take a Dublin literary pub crawl.

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Professional actors perform works by Joyce, Beckett and others in

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the pubs these writers actually frequented for James Joyce fans.

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June sixteenth is Bloomsday, when people dress in Edwardian clothing

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and follow the rout of Leopold Bloom from Ulysses. But

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even if you're not here for blooms Day, you can

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visit the James Joyce Center or have a sandwich at

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davey Burn's Pub, just like Leopold Bloom did. Let's talk

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about Dublin's food scene, which has absolutely exploded in recent years.

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Start at the Fallon and Burn Food Hall on Exchequer Street.

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It's like Dublin's answer to Dean and de Luca. Their

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wine cellar basement is a local favorite for a casual

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glass of wine and cheese board. For markets, the Dublin

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Food co Op in Kilmainham offers amazing organic produce and

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artisan foods, while the Temple Bar Food Market on Saturdays

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is perfect for sampling local specialties. Speaking of food, forget

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what you might have heard about Irish cuisine being just

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potatoes and stew. Modern Dublin restaurants are doing amazing things

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with local ingredients. Places like Della Hunt on Camden Street

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serve traditional Irish dishes with a modern twist. While Chapter

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one shows just how how sophisticated Irish cuisine can be.

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For something more casual, check out bunts In for what

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many consider Dublin's best burger Kilmainham Gale might seem like

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an unusual attraction, but it's absolutely worth visiting. This former prison,

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now a museum tells the story of Ireland's journey to independence.

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The guided tours are excellent, explaining everything from the harsh

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conditions of nineteenth century imprisonment to the jail's role in

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the nineteen sixteen Easter Rising. Book your tickets online. This

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is one of Dublin's most popular attractions and often sells out.

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Be right back.

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For a complete change of pace, Let's head to Phoenix Park,

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one of the largest urban parks in Europe. It's home

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to Dublin Zoo, but locals come here to bike, jog

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or just relax. You might even spot some of the

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wild deer that live in the park. Victorian People's flower

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gardens are beautiful, and you can take tours of the

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Irish President's Residents on Saturdays. Shopping in Dublin has something

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for everyone. Grafton Street is the main shopping thoroughfare, but

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don't miss the side streets, especially the Powerscourts Center, a

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beautiful Georgian mansion turn shopping center for unique souvenirs. Avoid

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the tourist shops and head to places like the Irish

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Design Shop on Drury Street or Industry and Co on

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Essex Street for contemporary Irish design. The Creative Quarter around

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South William Street and Drury Street is where you'll find

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independent boutiques, vintage shops, and great cafes. This area really

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comes alive on weekends when locals hop between coffee shops,

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browse design stores, and meet friends for brunch. Let's explore

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some local neighborhoods that tourists often miss. Stony Batter has

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become Dublin's hipster haven, full of great coffee shops, craft

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beer pubs, and indie restaurants. The name comes from the

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Irish word for a stone paved road, and you can

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still see some of the original cobblestones. Try l Mulligan

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Grocer for amazing food and a traditional pub setting, or

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a third space for one of Dublin's best brunches. Portobello,

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often called Dublin's Little Jerusalem because of its former Jewish community,

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is another neighborhood worth exploring. The area around the Canal

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is perfect for a stroll and you'll find some of

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the city's best restaurants here, like Basketball and Clambersol House.

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For music lovers, Dublin's live music scene is incredible, While

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traditional Irish music sessions happen in pubs across the city.

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O'donna Hughes on Marion Roe is famous for them. You'll

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also find every other genre. Wheeland's on Wexford Street is

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legendary for indie music, while the Sugar Club hosts everything

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from jazz to electronic music. For classical music, check out

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the National Concert Halls program. Let's talk about some great

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day trips from Dublin. Health is just thirty minutes away

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on the Dart train, and this fishing village offers amazing

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seafood restaurants, a beautiful cliff walk, and fresh sea air.

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Try to time your visit for the weekend market. Malahyde

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is another easy day trip with its impressive castle and

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beautiful gardens. The village itself is charming with great restaurants

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and batiques. If you're there in summer, take a walk

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on Portmarnock Beach. It stretches for miles and is known

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as the Velvet Strand for sports fans. No visit to

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Dublin is complete without experiencing a Gaelic Athletic Association game

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at Croke Park. If you can't catch a game, the

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Stadium Tour and GAA Museum are fascinating explaining these uniquely

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Irish sports. During summer, you might catch a hurling or

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Gaelic football match, even if you don't understand all the rules.

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The atmosphere is electric. Dublin's art scene is thriving. The

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Hugh Lane Gallery has an incredible collection of modern and

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contemporary art, including Francis Bacon's reconstructed studio. The Gallery of

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Photography and Temple Bar showcases both Irish and international photographers,

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while the Science Gallery at Trinity College combines art with

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science in fascinating exhibitions. And Hey, if you're enjoying these

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travel guides and want to hear them without commercials, head

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over to calaroga dot com slash plus. The link is

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right there in the show notes. If you're on Apple Podcasts,

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just click on the banner that's says uninterrupted listening Until

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next time.

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I'm Johnny Mack and travel is back

157. Ireland - Dublin Part 2 - Modern Culture & Living Local

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