Hello! My name is Kyra Corbisiero and I am a junior at College of the Holy Cross majoring in Psychology and Sociology. Currently, I am studying abroad at Trinity College Dublin for the year in the schools of Psychology, Sociology, and Irish and Celtic Languages. As this semester comes to an end, I would like to bring you back to the beginning. Before the fall semester started, I had the opportunity to participate in the Summer Semester Start-up Program. During this program, we learned about the history and culture of Ireland through a series of lectures and trips to various areas of cultural significance. Today, I wanted to tell you, and show you, my three favourite trips we went on outside of Dublin.

1. Glendalough

Glendalough translates to “valley of two lakes” and is located outside of Dublin in County Wicklow. This valley is where St. Kevin resided and established his monastery, turning it into a beacon for solitude and faith contemplation. The day we went was after a rainy night. With fog covering the grounds, it created a very mystical experience. Walking along the hiking path, you can see herds of sheep scattered throughout the hills and valleys along the lake. Once we approached the front of the lake with the mountains framing the scene, it made for a very picturesque moment. We had a great time and enjoyed going on a short hike.

The Hills of Tara hold a very special place in the history of Ireland. Located outside of Dublin in County Meath, there are 5,000 year old ancient burial grounds where the King of Ireland used to be crowned. Currently, there are 30 monuments that have been unveiled. From the hills, you can see over multiple counties of Dublin and walk through the circular earthworks that make up the hills. Before you go to the hills, there is a small town you can stop in for a coffee and a souvenir. The tour of the hills actually starts in St. Patrick’s church which was built in 1882. Interestingly, there was evidence of a church before this one, dating back to the 1190s. You get to take in some beautiful architecture and explore a piece of history.

3. Trim Castle

Trim Castle stood out to me not just because of the castle itself but also because of the town that surrounds it. Trim Castle was made in the 12th century and is one of the best preserved castles in Ireland. During this trip, we were able to enter and climb the castle, getting yet another great view of the countryside. After going to the castle, we were given time to go explore the neighboring town and get lunch. The town was very cute and it was a fun trip.

If you decide to study abroad at Trinity, your housing accommodations will be located just outside of the city center in the Liberties, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Dublin. If you are like me and sometimes just want to do your work or enjoy some food without entering the city center, the Liberties has a wide variety of places to visit. Today, I want to tell you about my favorite cafes in this area with great food and coffee.

1. Legit Coffee Co. (10 Minute Walk)

Legit Coffee Co. is a 10 minute walk away from our accommodations and not only has a wide variety of food options but also WiFi. During my finals week, I found myself here often just to get myself out of the apartment and see more of Dublin. The atmosphere here is great and this semester, it was all decorated for Christmas. 

2. Bakeology (8 Minute Walk)

Bakeology is an Argentinian cafe with 3 euro empanadas, great pastries, and a good selection of coffee and teas. If I ever want to get myself a pastry and coffee, I always go here because their pastries are incredible. My personal favorite has been the brown with dulce de leche and marshmallow meringue. Their to-go cups consist of a sketch of the cafe, which is fun to see.

3. Cathedral Cafe (12 Minute Walk)

I recommend this place if you want a good Irish Breakfast at an affordable price. The first time I went here was when I had people visiting. We all ordered an Irish Breakfast (consisting of eggs, sausage, bacon, white blood pudding, and baked). It was my first time having an Irish breakfast and I ended up really liking it. The place is very cozy, with mis-matched table settings and the grill being visible from the table, it creates a relaxing and fun atmosphere. 

4. Flower and Bean (2 Minute Walk)

Located directly across from the apartment complex, this cafe is great to grab a coffee on the way to class. They have all the basics and if you decide to take a seat inside, there is plenty of seating as well as Wifi. I always enjoy stopping in here and it is a staple if you want a good latte or cappuccino.

5. Fogg Cafe (1 Minute Walk)

While Flower and Bean is across the street from the apartment, Fogg Cafe is directly next door. This was another popular study spot for me during finals week as it is so close by and filled with other students. They have great seasonal coffees and I would recommend getting their Honeycomb Latte.

As I start my spring semester, I would like to shed some light on not just Dublin City, but also a place in Dublin County. With the weather warming up, it is time to take to the coast to one of my favorite places in the county, Howth: a beautiful coastal town consisting of great food, hiking trails (for all levels), and a Saturday market where you can get local, handcrafted items. Only a 45 minute Dart ride away and costing around 2 euro with a Young Adult Leap Card, this trip makes for a great day to explore a new area all while staying in Dublin county. 

The Dart Ride In

“The Dart” is a train system used in Ireland to connect you to various areas around the county. If you are studying abroad at Trinity, there is actually a station located directly behind the campus (Dublin Pearse) which makes the ride easily accessible from campus. So if you have morning classes and no afternoon or evening plans, you can just hop on the train after class. Although the ride is short, I do enjoy getting a snack for the trip. One of my favourite places to grab something to eat would have to be Bread41, which is also located near the station. As you take the train, you can enjoy the views of the coast. 

Once You Arrive

When you arrive, you will enter a small town, right near the port. Here, if you visit on the weekend, you can venture into the marketplace, where you can find some unique items for yourself or gifts for others and baked goods/food as well. You can also walk along the pier and try to spot the seals that often swim in the harbor. This area of the town has beautiful wood sculptures scattered throughout that you can additionally try to spot. If you are having lunch or dinner here, there are plenty of fish and chip shops to visit and grab a bite. The seafood is amazing here and very fresh. I would recommend “Crabby Joes” as the atmosphere in the restaurant is cozy and makes for a great experience after the end of a long day.

Hiking

If you want to go on a hike (easy or advanced) then this is the right place. If you are feeling adventurous, you can hike your way up to the summit before starting the actual hike. However, if you are going for the views and a short hike, you can bus your way to the summit. The bus stop is located right by the train station and leaves every 30 minutes so if you miss the bus, no need to worry. There are about 4 official hikings routes all ranging in time and difficulty as well as chances to get closer to the water and see the beach. If you do not know which route you want to do, you can combine bits of each of the routes as they all tend to overlap a few times throughout the trail.

Howth is my favorite day trip to do from Dublin as it is very easy to do and allows for me to have some time outside of the city. I have already gone twice since being back in Dublin and plan to go a few more times before I leave. So if you are studying at Trinity, or in the Dublin area, I would recommend visiting Howth!