We had just 2 days in Dublin which for us, though I loved the city and would love to explore more on another trip, is easy to hit the major attractions in that time. We got to explore more of the lovely city of Dublin on our second day there and I loved it more with every step we took. It’s really accessible on foot and we walked everywhere, as nothing is really more than a 20 minute walk from where you start out.
We began our day exploring Dublin in the Autumn with a visit to the Trinity College Old Library, which was a quick 5 minute walk from our hotel on Grafton Street. I will say, this was one of the things I was most looking forward to on this trip and it did not disappoint. The library and the Book of Kells which is housed here are truly phenomenal. This is a must-see in Dublin.
Next, we wandered around the grounds of the College for a while. Trinity College houses beautiful architecture and lovely stone walkways that we spent a good while walking around. We got extremely lucky with gorgeous weather in Dublin (actually our whole trip too) and blue sky peaked out of the clouds as the morning progressed.
We moved on after Trinity College and walked toward the River Liffey and walked along the Quay, taking in one of my favorite areas of Dublin with the brick buildings lining the River, with bridges upon bridges in each direction. We then headed back up a block into the Temple Bar area of the city which is famed for its pubs and live music. We wandered the stone streets of Temple Bar and wound back up to Christ Church Cathedral. This church was gorgeous and I sat for a while inside the church just taking it all in while Nick took photos.
After spending a good deal of time at Christ Church, we made our way back to our hotel on Grafton Street down Exchequer Street, stopping at Fallon & Bryne to pick up some traditional Irish Soda Bread and some other goodies, which we picked at the rest of our trip.
We ended our day with high tea at our hotel, the Westbury Hotel, in their beautiful lobby all decorated for the holidays. We were treated to lovely tea and food and enjoyed a leisurely time having tea, sandwiches and desserts.
Dublin has an energy that is unlike any other city and it was magnetic. I loved walking the city and taking it all in. The mix of brick buildings with stone, the River and the quays, Dublin really is a magical place and I have no doubt I’ll be making a return to this fantastic city.
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Traveling to Ireland?
See more of my post on Ireland in my archives!
Sara @ Bristol In My Pocket says
So beautiful! I really want to make it out to Ireland at some point!
Casey Martin says
Yes you should! It’s beautiful!
Jenn @ A Country Girl's World says
Dublin looks so amazing! The Trinity College Library is somewhere I’ve always dreamed of going! I love books!
Casey Martin says
Trinity College was incredible! Not only the library but the whole campus was just gorgeous!
Melissa Williscroft says
Of course, I am dying over those photos of the Old Library. Absolutely stunning!
Casey Martin says
The Old Library… wow. It literally took my breathe away!
Chantal says
Beautiful photos!! Also, I love those pants.
Casey Martin says
Thanks Chantal! I love them too 🙂
Taylor says
so excited to see the pictures! i loved following you along with instagram too 🙂
http://bloganticipation.blogspot.com/2013/12/first-snowfall.html#comment-form
Casey Martin says
Oh good! 🙂
The Twisted Red LadyBug / Anda Alexandra says
oh, I wish I will get to see Dublin one day 🙂 It is one of my dreams 🙂
P.S. love the gloves 😀 so Christmassy 🙂
https://twistedredladybug.blogspot.com
Casey Martin says
Dublin was glorious! 🙂 I’m sure you’ll love it when you see it someday! And those glove, funny story, I got them last year in January at Target on clearance for $0.97 and had totally forgotten about them until I was packing for this trip. I thought they were festive 🙂
ifs ands Butts says
The high tea is so Christmasy I love it!
Casey Martin says
It was so Christmasy!!! The whole lobby was totally dec’ed out!
Amanda @ Living in Another Language says
OH my dear goodness. I’m scrolling through these pictures saying to myself: “I want to go there, there, there, there and there!” Ireland is so gorgeous. I will make it to this picturesque country soon!
Casey Martin says
You guys have to get there eventually… so stunning!
Melanie Fontaine says
Dublin looks beautiful! And that library is just… wow! That’s really the only word I can currently think of! Exactly what a library ought to be! 😉
Casey Martin says
That library was incredible!!!!