Our party
After moving back to Italy, I began offering English courses to my small local community. Most of my students are people I already know, as they live in or around my town. Some are friends, others are former classmates, and some I’ve met through the lessons themselves. The group is a mix of different ages, cultural backgrounds, and professions, which makes it really engaging—and every lesson becomes a learning opportunity for me too.
At the end of our first year of classes, I suggested a trip to Dublin, and 12 students eagerly joined in. We set off at dawn on Friday, arriving early in the city to make the most of the long weekend. After dropping off our bags at the hotel, we immediately set out to explore the city’s main sights and landmarks.
Trinity College
Our first stop was Trinity College, founded in 1592. As we strolled through the university’s gardens, we imagined the famous figures who had walked these paths before us—writers like Oscar Wilde and Samuel Beckett, as well as Nobel Prize winners such as E.T.S. Walton and William Campbell.
We admired the campus buildings, starting with the iconic Campanile and continuing to the Graduate Memorial Building, taking in the stunning architecture, the beauty of the gardens, and the unique atmosphere. A passerby kindly took our first group photo; it turned out he was Italian!
The Streets of Dublin
As we made our way to the next stop, I was focused on getting the group there as quickly as possible. Then, one of the participants suggested we slow down and simply soak in the atmosphere of Dublin, without worrying about time or efficiency. It seemed like the perfect idea, so I stopped thinking about schedules and directions.
We began to walk more leisurely, taking in the buildings, streets, and people, along with the city’s vibrant energy. Some friends pointed out the bright colours lining the streets—the flowers decorating the pubs and shops, the bustling flower market, and the colourful flags scattered here and there.
Marsh’s Library
We eventually reached Marsh’s Library, Ireland’s oldest public library, established in 1707. It stands as a symbol of the democratic push to make knowledge accessible to all, regardless of social class. The library, which has been remarkably well-preserved, is a beautiful example of Georgian architecture and houses a collection of rare books and manuscripts on theology, history, and science. To access the books, you need to book an appointment, and the staff shared some intriguing stories, including a recent request from an exorcist. What could they have been researching? A mystery! We left behind the musty, dusty smell of the library and headed to our next destination.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Right next to Marsh’s Library is one of Dublin’s main tourist attractions, St. Patrick’s Cathedral. When I asked for a group ticket for 13, I was informed that group bookings had to be made online. Rather than waste time, we all exited and simply re-entered individually.
The audio guide shared the history and key features of this medieval church, which dates back to 1191. Jonathan Swift, the author of Gulliver’s Travels, is buried here, and the cathedral boasts a world-renowned choir. After hours of wandering through Dublin’s streets, sitting in the pews and listening to the audio guide came at the right time and felt like a refreshing break.
Dining Out in Dublin
That evening, we set out to find a place for dinner and decided to try the well-known The Church, a 17th-century church that’s been transformed into a stylish bar and restaurant, really popular with tourists. Unfortunately, we draw a blank, there were no seats available, so we just enjoyed a beer. However, we went back on Sunday for lunch and had some delicious Irish food. Some of us opted for the traditional Sunday roast, while others went for fish, mussels, or Irish stew, and everything was thoroughly enjoyed.
Dublin offered a great variety of restaurants—Mexican, Chinese, traditional Irish, vegan, seafood, and of course, Italian—but we were keen to experience the local cuisine.
Live Performances in Dublin
One of Dublin’s unique charms is the constant presence of live music, whether in the streets or the many pubs. One afternoon, while strolling along Grafton Street, we stopped to listen to some street performers. Among them was an Italian singer, and our group couldn’t resist joining in. We even requested a few songs and kept singing along—it was such a fun moment.
Later that evening, unsure of which pub to settle on, we decided to hop between a few. We only managed to visit four in the end, but it was a great experience. Beer costs an arm and a leg, but the Irish are incredibly warm and friendly, always smiling at strangers and happy to chat. Despite the loud music, we even made some new friends along the way.
Two Kindred Cultures
During these encounters, I sensed a genuine connection between our cultures and a strong mutual appreciation. In Dublin, whenever we attempted to speak English, people often guessed we were Italian, and to my surprise, many continued the conversation in Italian.
A bit of research revealed that Italians make up one-fifth of all tourists visiting Ireland. Furthermore, after Brexit, many Italians looking to live in an English-speaking country are now choosing Ireland over the UK. So it’s no wonder we encountered so many Italians in Dublin.
Guinness
The thing that surprised me the most on this trip was the Guinness. Don’t tell me that I found out something obvious!!. In reality, I lived in London for 25 years and tried it several times, but I never liked it; I found it too bitter and lacking aroma. However, my opinion changed completely in Ireland. The Guinness I tried there wasn’t bitter at all and had a smooth subtle taste.
I also noticed that there’s a specific process and ritual for pouring this beer. Could that be what makes the difference? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
During our stay, we also visited the Guinness Storehouse, the famous Irish brewery. Today, it is a major tourist attraction that takes visitors through the history of Guinness, exploring its essential ingredients and the brand’s evolution through advertising from past to present. The experience ends with a climb to the panoramic terrace, where you can enjoy a tasting.
It’s a fun experience and definitely worth it.
Howth
During our first dinner, some friends mentioned they wanted to see the sea. At first, I thought it would be a shame to leave the city after just one day and waste time on travel. However, they were so persuasive that we decided to go. As it turns out, the picturesque town of Howth is only 25 minutes from Dublin and easily accessible by train.
Howth is famous for its stunning coastal views and rich maritime history. We explored the beautiful Howth Head, which offers breathtaking sights of the Irish Sea and the surrounding cliffs. With the sun shining, we had a fantastic day in nature, walking and chatting while soaking in the deep blue of the sea and sky.
We also encountered some kind and friendly locals who were eager to connect with us, making this unexpected trip even more enjoyable.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I have to admit that there were still so many things I didn’t get to see, but this weekend filled with Irish culture, friendship, and joy was truly unforgettable, especially with the fantastic company of friends.
If you haven’t been yet, make sure to go with great company—you won’t regret it!
