Activities

Dublin is a multicultural city that offers lots of activities for people of all ages.  Whatever you like to do in your free time there is an activity for you. Here are some suggestions. 

Irish Craic and Cuisine 

If you are looking for other ways to immerse into Irish culture, we strongly recommend that you try “The Irish Craic & Cuisine” experience.

Instead of being located in the middle of the bustling city, you will be enjoying the pleasure of residential areas and in particular the warmth of a typical suburban Irish house.

By this point, you must wonder: “Craic - what does it mean?” You’re in luck! Because Craic has a couple of very broad meanings, most of them being used in very colloquial conversations. Once you master the use of Craic you’ll blend right in with the locals, so don’t be afraid and have a go at it!

Here are some examples where you could hear the word Craic being used:

1.    Fun, enjoying the company of others, divilment, merriment, banter etc.

2.    Story, gossip, news, etc.

3.    It can also be used as a greeting - “What’s the craic?”, “how’s the craic” meaning “what’s up?”, “what’s happening?”, “what’s the story?”, or just “hello/ how are you?”.

But, what are you going to encounter in this place? Well, first of all, you will be welcomed by Ann, the hostess, who will accompany you and the other guests in a lovely culinary experience, in which we are going to cook our own dinner. So as an example, here you have some of the recipes of the meals you will taste if you decide to do this experience in the future.

Cooking with Ann was amazing. She taught us how to cook traditional Irish dishes and it was a very fun and educational experience. Ann is an excellent cook and she not only taught us how to cook, but also about Irish culture and traditions. It was great learning from her and enjoying Irish food, it was craic and fanky! Definitely an experience  we will remember forever!!

Vintage Bus Tea Tour

A truly enjoyable experience for all ages, it's a different way to explore Dublin on an adorable vintage bus, beautifully decorated inside and out.

The tables were for four people, there was time to simply chat, enjoy the views, eat and drink. When we arrived, the snacks and sweets were already on the table. They serve you buns halfway through the course with cream, jam and butter.

You can drink as much tea, coffee, hot chocolate or water as you can, throughout the tour, and…a free cup to take home as a souvenir. The food was great, we were pleasantly surprised! There was even catering for vegetarians.

Although it was a rainy morning, we were very lucky to see deers in Phoenix Park. By the way, there was an amazing guide who was knowledgeable about the stories of Dublin in the 60s.

We think it's typical to celebrate birthdays there. There was one in the front seats and the staff and we all sang happy birthday to him in a warm atmosphere.

Irish Dance Party

If you want to feel like an authentic Irish , you need to learn the basic steps of their traditional dance.

Irish dance is a traditional form of dance that originated in Ireland and has gained popularity worldwide. It is characterized by quick and intricate footwork, fluid upper body movements, and a unique style of dancing in which the arms are kept rigid by the sides of the dancer's body. Irish dance has a rich history that dates back centuries, with its roots in both Celtic and Gaelic traditions. The dance form has evolved over time and has been adapted to suit modern audiences, with variations such as soft shoe and hard shoe dances.

One of the most recognizable features of Irish dance is the use of elaborate costumes and accessories, such as colorful dresses and wigs for female dancers, and fitted pants and jackets for male dancers. These costumes add to the theatricality of the performance and help to emphasize the movements of the dancers as they leap and twirl across the stage. The music that accompanies Irish dance is typically lively and upbeat, with traditional instruments such as the fiddle, tin whistle, and bodhrán providing the accompaniment. The combination of music, costumes, and intricate footwork creates a dynamic and visually stunning performance that continues to captivate audiences around the world.

During our stay in Dublin we had the opportunity to attend a wonderful demonstration of Irish folklore and its traditional dance and to "destroy" it with our clumsy feet.

Food Walking Tour

The food tour is an interesting way to get to know a different part of the city centre while trying some typical Irish dishes in different venues. We had the opportunity of enjoying this tour with Ann Tomlin, who told us about the history of the city during the 6 stops we had and the three hours and a half that the tour lasted. An original and "yummy" way to discover unknown places in Dublin. 

The first stop of our walking food was the Irish Potato Cake which is a cool spot in Dublin, near Ha’penny bridge and that brings back traditional Irish potato cakes. They whip up these tasty treats with fresh ingredients. It`s a laid back place, where you can enjoy authentic Irish homemade food. 

The second stop of our walking food tour was to enjoy an intense and aromatic Irish coffee at Vice Coffee. During our visit, we learned about the process of making the original Irish coffee, in addition to tasting it.

Irish coffee is a blend consisting of Irish whiskey, a spoonful of sugar, coffee, creamy cream, and nutmeg. Additionally, we tried a variety called Franky, flavored with orange.

Our third stop brought us The Cappuccino Bar where we had the possibility of tasting three different types of Irish cheese. 

They were served with some grapes, olives and crackers. Not only can you taste some of the best cheese in Ireland, but also you can enjoy a glass of wine. 

We were lucky enough to try Cashel blue, Gubbeen and Milleens. Cashel blue, half-cured blue cheese made with unpasteurized cow’s milk with creamy texture. Gubbeen: intense and spicy flavor. Milleens: it is similar to Cheddar, but less compact. It has an intense acidity and a herbaceous flavor. We very much enjoyed this experience.

Our fourth stop in the tour took us to The Seafood Cafe is a lively seafood joint in the heart of Dublin, They serve up the freshest catches, with a menu that changes daily based on what’s available. Their commitment to sustainability is solid, sourcing all their commitment to sustainability is solid, sourcing all their seafood from sustainable seafoodIreland. The atmosphere is buzzing, making it a great spot to hang out with friends or enjoy a date night.

At our penultimate stop, we entered Gallaghers Boxty House where we tasted different dishes from the Irish cuisine, such as:

• Beef and Guinness Stew: Considered the national dish of Irish cuisine. It’s a ragout of chopped lamb meat, stewed with potatoes, onions, and parsley, often including carrots, thyme, and chives.

• Seafood Chowder: A typical Irish fish soup, with seafood and a bit of vegetables, known for being very flavorful and dense. It can be served in a bowl as a starter, but it’s also served in a loaf of bread as a main course.

• Lamb stew: it is a deliciously cozy recipe with tender chunks of lamb, potatoes, and carrots in a rich Guinness infused beef broth

The last stop of our impressive walking food tour was at Murphys, one of the most popular ice cream parlors in Dublin. Sean and Kieran Murphy started Murphy's Ice Cream in Dingle, Co. Kerry in 2000, with the goal of making the best ice cream in the world. “There’s no real trick to what we do, we just take care and use the best of everything.” Murphy's Ice Cream uses milk from the rare, indigenous breed of Kerry cow because the milk is so wonderful.

And with our delicious dessert we finished this experience that showed some unknown aspects of Ireland for most of us. Without any doubt the best experience of the week thanks to our amazing guide Ann.