My Turquoise Bag

Welcomed on the tarmac by a lush green landscape and overcast skies, our trip in Ireland began on a Saturday morning in Dublin.

We had two full days to explore this charming capital city before venturing off on our rugged road trip.

Pembroke Townhouse, an elegant and cozy Georgian-style guesthouse, was our home that weekend.

Greeted by warm staff and complimentary Nespresso and croissants in the lobby, we sat by the fireplace to stretch our legs that have been confined on a 6 hour flight. We caffeinated our jet lagged minds and contemplated how we wanted to start our day.

We began by getting acquainted with our neighbourhood.

Ballsbridge is an affluent pocket of Dublin filled with gorgeous Georgian apartments, parks, cafes, pubs and shops. The city’s main sightseeing and prestigious Trinity College was a comfortable 30 minute walk away.

This neighbourhood was the perfect balance between being close enough to all the action while also being nestled in the right amount of quietness and charm.

After getting a lay of the land, we set out for the most important item on our itinerary: food.

We headed to the iconic Grafton Street and feasted on a proper Irish breakfast at Bewley’s.

We walked off the decadent black and white puddings with a leisurely stroll, soaking in the lively energy of Grafton Street.

Live music on every corner echoed through the Victorian intersections, as did the cheerful demeanour of enthusiastic American football fans who were in town that weekend to attend the historical rival game of Notre Dame VS. Navy.

“Are ye here for the match?”, friendly Dubliners kept asking us. When they learned we were here for our honeymoon and not a football tournament, it always immediately sparked a wide smile and happy eyes, and sincere congratulations were wished upon us, the newlyweds.

It was sunny when we headed to the nearby St Stephen’s Green, a luscious Victorian city park surrounded by tall trees, green ivy, bridges and ponds.

The skies shifted to a drizzly rain by the time we arrived at the historic Merrion Square Park.

There was something calming about strolling in a park on a rainy day in Dublin. That hue of Irish green appeared more vibrant, and raindrops looked like tears on commemorative statues. A poetic glimpse of a troubled past.

The fuchsias, yellows, and oranges of the flower banks juxtaposed against the grey skies, reminding us that rain is needed for healing after all.

The rain didn’t stop this time, so we sought refuge at Kennedy’s, a cozy corner pub we spontaneously stumbled in.

An acoustic rendition of Vienna was being played in the background by a musician as we nestled in a quiet window booth.

Tufted red leather seating, sticky tables and a wall saturated with vintage Guinness posters and portraits of Oscar Wilde. This was an Irish pub if I ever did see one.

Our rain jackets hung to dry, and we feasted on plates of Beef & Guinness Pie and Fish & Chips, and washed them down with the nation’s deliciously creamy dark stout.

It was still early in the evening, but we considered this a satisfactory first day.

The rain had stopped and the neon sunset lit up the road back to our guesthouse where a warm shower and a clean bed awaited us.

After a tasty coffee and breakfast sandwich from the Avoca Food Market, our Sunday morning in Dublin started with a little shopping.

I picked up a multicolour Irish wool scarf from the Aran Sweater Market as the unpredictable weather called for something a little warm to wrap myself with.

We spent that Sunday learning about Dublin; its history, its resilience and its whiskeys.

We started at the Irish Whiskey Museum. Our animated tour guide brought us back in time and led us to the present with his humour and interactive storytelling.

One thing I quickly picked up about the Irish is that they are natural-born storytellers. They learn and laugh through stories and song, and invite everyone to do the same. Our museum experience here wrapped up with a whiskey tasting that spiked up our day earlier than planned.

Fired up with a little afternoon whiskey in our system, we headed to The Little Museum of Dublin next.

This time, our storytelling guide was decked-out in Georgian attire, and greeted us in a top hat, moustache and cane. Set in a grand house, this museum was like consuming a crash course on all-things Dublin.

Its architecture, history, politics, pop culture and art, soaked up in one afternoon.

We planned for an early dinner since the following morning would be Day 1 of our road trip.

Freshened up and changed into a black dress, we enjoyed a celebratory anniversary dinner at Clontarf Castle, a twelfth century castle turned luxury hotel.

Knowing we were going to return at the end of our trip, this little taste of Dublin was the perfect kick-start to our vacation.

Trading my black dress for hiking boots, I was eager to explore more of this charming emerald isle.

Sláinte, Dublin.

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