DUBLIN, THE PERFECT DESTINATION FOR A “BEER GOURMET” WEEKEND TEXT AND PHOTOS BY CESARE ZUCCA-Are you planning a weekend in Dublin? Curious to visit the Irish capital? I’ve been there and I assure you, I fell in love with the city and the people, friendly, affable and (despite what you hear) not drunk at all, well maybe a little cheerful, but who doesn’t love to be a little do you turn?
Voted several times among the most welcoming cities in Europe, an ideal destination for autumn, when the foliage colors the beautiful parks, from St. Stephen’s Green, to Iveagh Gardens, to Phoenix Park, the largest urban park in Europe.
Dublin is a gem to be discovered, but I’ll leave the list of the most classic (and absolutely unmissable) attractions to other ‘traditional’ items such as Trinity College, St. Patrick’s Cathedral or Dublin Castle as well as House of the Dead by writer James Joyce.
I will take you on a slightly different itinerary. Ready to cheer up your city break strictly with a wonderful pint of beer? and when I say beer I mean Guinness, synonymous with Ireland and Dublin, where a visit cannot be defined as complete unless you venture into its historic Storehouse to learn about its history and taste one of the most famous beers in the world. The Storehouse is located in the heart of the legendary St. James’s Gate brewery, where stout has been brewed since 1759.
Today it is a center dedicated to its history, from its birth to today. Seven floors and a space in the shape of a huge beer glass which, if filled, would hold an impressive 14.3 million pints of Guinness. Let yourself be fascinated by the past, the present and the future when you go up to the terrace of the Gravity Bar from which you can enjoy a wonderful view of Dublin in the company of a glass offered by the House.
Every March 17, St. Patrick’s Day, we celebrate and drink big and all those named Patrick, in all languages and variants, such as Patty, Patrick, Patricia, Pat, etc. will be guests of Guinness which will give away a Very Important Patrick Pass, to be treated as a valued guest this holiday season. Worth mentioning is the Guinness Book of Records which was published for the first time in 1955 and today boasts countless versions for sale in over 77 countries and translated into 38 languages.
In Meeting House Square, non lascatevi sfuggire il Farmers Market. Si trova nel centro del quartiere ed è un vero punto d’incontro di turisti e locali, ogni sabato dalle 10 alle 16.30, Carnivori, vegetarianoi o vegani , qui potrete trovare di tutto, e tutto freschissimo, dalle succose mele irlandesi dalla frutta di Llewellyn al sincero pane integrale
Specialità da tutto il mondo, dagli involtini primavera cinesi, ai kofta di Medio Oriente, ai cibi greci, come olive e spanakopita oppure restaure sulle specialità locali come un irrestible maialino allo spiedo o le ostriche fresche di St Martin Shellfish.
Il vicolo dell’amoreGrazie all’ iniziativa di “Love the Lanes” , voluta dal Consiglio Comunale, la stradina Love Lane è diventata una tavolozza dove agli artisti locali hanno è stato permesso di trasformare in una galleria all’aperto. Questa particolare corsia unisce Essex Street al retro dell’iconico Olympia Theatre di Dame Street. I muri sono decorati da graffiti, piastrelle e naturalmente …tanti cuori . Innamorati o no, fateci un salto e un’immediata Instagram.
In Meeting House Square, don’t miss the Farmers Market. It is located in the center of the district and is a real meeting point for tourists and locals, every Saturday from 10 to 16.30, Carnivores, vegetarians or vegans, here you can find everything, and all very fresh, from juicy Irish apples to Llewellyn fruit to sincere wholemeal bread
Noblesse obligeThe Barons Talbot are said to have inhabited Malahide Castle for eight centuries between 1185 and the 1970s. The last Baron, Lord Milo, lived in the castle until his death in 1973. His sister Rose inherited the property and subsequently he sold it to the Irish State in 1975. Since then, Malahide Castle has continued to play an important part in Ireland’s political and social landscape, hosting international leaders and summits and welcoming thousands of local and international visitors each year.
Brand new!Picturesquely located on the south side of St. Stephen’s Green in one of Dublin’s finest historic houses has finally opened the much anticipated MoLI Museum which takes its inspiration from the work of Ireland’s most famous writer, James Joyce, known throughout the world for his masterpiece, Ulysses. It took almost 10 years to create this jewel which houses, among other things, the very first copy of Ulysses as well as fascinating writings and letters from the author.
Temple, the temple of pubsTo end the day cheerfully (and a little cheerful) here we are in the Temple area, a paradise of bars, pubs in all the possible variants imaginable. Here we meet, here we chat, here we drink.Among my favourites:Vintage Cocktail ClubIntimate and half-hidden like a 1920s local stowaway, it’s the perfect hangout for after-work drinks, pre-show, secret date or late night party! A menu of more than 60 cocktails, listed following the story
37 Dwson Street Grafton StreetQuirky decor, giving a 1920’s safari-fairground type feel.Library BarAt the Central Hotel in Exchequer Street, an elegant pub-bookshop with comfortable vintage armchairs awaits you. Drinks, food and a classic afternoon teaThe Bar With No NameIn Fade Street there is even a Pub that refuses to have a name.
beard and beer’ please….Given the rampant bearded trend, The Barbers ’40s style ‘barber-bar’ promises very well. You’ll find tons of craft beers on tap, excellent gin and whisky”. And for a new look there is also a real hairdresser. Brilliant.
After so much beer… a non-alcoholic break!.Take the Dart train and exit the city. A short distance away, you will discover coastal villages, castles and charming towns, such as Dún Laoghaire with its pretty streets and a beautiful marina, Dalkey, a small medieval town with its Castle and Heritage Centre. and the suggestive Howth, where you can visit the Castle and the Martello Tower which houses a vintage radio museum. Postcard views combined with unique emotions in enjoying fabulous landscapes. Sea, relaxation, fish and (perhaps) seals. Attention, here is the best fish in the area. Too bad the seals didn’t show up, it’s a good excuse to go back!!
INFO Turism Dublin
Cesare ZuccaMilanese by birth, he lives between New York, Milan and the rest of the world. He travels up and down America and indulges in escapes in Italy and Europe.For WEEKEND PREMIUM he photographs and narrates cities, cultures, lifestyles and discovers both traditional and innovative gastronomic delights. Cesare meets and interviews top chefs from all over the world, ‘steals’ their recipes and tells you everything here, in a ‘non-tourist’ style.
