Dublin, Ireland Spring Break Packages
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Cheap Flights to Dublin | Ireland Travel Guide
Oh my Guinness! Dublin is cold, but there is plenty o’ alcohol to warm you up. What kinds of things come to mind when you think of Dublin, Ireland? You possibly think of shamrocks, leprechauns and pints of beer. Of course what better day to go than St. Patrick’s Day (March 17)? If your spring break falls over this Irish drinking holiday, then you have to follow the end of the rainbow to Dublin and take part in some unforgettable Irish activities.
Big shock, Ireland is cold. In summer the weather sometimes reaches 70°F, but during spring break it might be a wee bit chilly. Big snowfalls are rare in Dublin, but the city receives about 150 days of rain a year. This is no Mexican Riviera; it could quite possibly rain on your spring break parade so be prepared when packing. Strangely enough Dublin is considered one of the driest parts of Ireland, so be thankful for that. More importantly, don’t let something like the rain get in your way of a jolly good time. On the flip side too, there are less tourists at this time and more cheaper prices.
Speaking of prices, Dublin will burn a small hole in your pocket if you plan on having an Ale of a time. Prices are moderately around $8-$20 for meals and $20-$65 for mid-range accommodations. Of course the money breakers are beer and activities.
To begin your rublin’ in Dublin the Temple Bar area is considered the ‘cultural center’ of town and is the best place to pub-crawl. Almost any night of the year this is the hot spot to be for great bars, pubs and restaurants. During the day it is the center for trendy shops for the city’s trendy youth.
Of course what would Dublin be without Guinness? Well, I’ve never really been there so I would assume not good. (Editor’s note – we’ve been. She’s right.) But who could come to Dublin without going to the Guinness Storehouse? Probably no one, but once again I haven’t been ((Ed. – again, she’s right).
Don’t forget this hot spot while consuming as much Guinness as possible: The St. James’s Gate Guinness Brewery is where the company has traditionally stored the Guinness goodness. It is not only a brewery that you can take tours in but also a museum to celebrate this beloved brew. And not to mention, you can grab a pint after the sightseeing is done.
Of course, there are Irish theories on how a Guinness is supposed to be drunk. These rules are as follows, and they should not be taken lightly. “The pint must be poured in Ireland, as close as possible to the St James’s Gate brewery; it must be poured by an expert bartender who has mastered the technique for pulling the brew; and, after half the Guinness has been consumed, there must be a residue of thick white foam in rings on the inside of the glass.”
What more could top the glass, on your perfect Irish holiday? Well nothing really, but there are a few other spots of historical importance that could only further your knowledge of this beautiful country.
- Want to see a Guinness book of records? No really, one of the oldest books known, the Book of Kells is found in Dublin on the grounds of Trinity College. Elizabeth I founded the college in 1592, and its past has been a little sordid. The college was originally for Protestants so they wouldn’t be ‘infected with popery’ and thus was far removed from the European continent. It is a beautiful and great place to explore while in Dublin.
- For another huge spot in Dublin check out Phoenix Park. This park is huge, twice the area of Central Park in New York with over 1,750 acres. There is a zoo, castle, sporting areas, lakes and gardens that can take up a whole day of activities.
- You can also walk off your hangover, or extra calories you have consumed from the alcohol, with great walking tours that the city has. You can visit an array of historical sites of importance on these walks (and also sober up at the same time).
- Gaelic football is a spectator’s sport and would not be recommended for the novice tourist to partake in, but it would definitely be a great sporting event to watch.
- Hurling (the game, not what you do after too many pints) is also an almost unknown sport to the rest of the world. It is like a form of aerial hockey. But not. It definitely is one of those things you have to see to believe.
There is no getting around it, Ireland is just one of those countries you have to see to believe. More than 4 million visitors yearly would agree that the sights, sounds and attractions of Ireland have you wanting to stay lager.
