Posts by author Jessica Colley
The Central Hotel, off George Street in Dublin. Photo: Infomatique
Cheapos are faced with one difficult decision when stepping foot in a new city: which neighborhood to use as a home base? Often, affordable accommodation options aren’t in the best possible locations, leaving the choice of a few different neighborhoods. This is definitely the case in Dublin. The following neighborhood guide can help you determine » Read more
Sample the national flavors at the Temple Bar Food Market. Photo: Barnacles Hostels
Some destinations have a clearly defined national cuisine, while other places require visitors to dig a little deeper. When it comes to food in Ireland, there are many places to find cheap eats with national character in Dublin – if you know where to look. From underground options to food markets to cheap eats in » Read more
Hiking in Ireland. Rob Hurson
As the end of summer draws near, it’s only natural to try and squeeze in one more picnic, one more scenic hike, one more swim before the colder weather creeps in. While temperatures never reach soaring heights in Dublin, the same sensation is felt in the Irish capital. Before the days get too short and » Read more
Go swimming off the "South Wall" in Dublin. Photo by Jessica Colley
When it comes to “not to miss” activities in Dublin, swimming might not be at the top of your list. While many locals make it their business to take the plunge into the icy Irish Sea at any time of year, visitors generally limit taking a dip to random sunny days in the summer. Many » Read more
A July afternoon in Dublin. Photo: *polvorilla
Summer travel can be one of the most challenging for Cheapos in Dublin—when the sun is shining and loads of people are traveling budgets can skyrocket. Yet with a few tips, there are many ways to beat the crowds and keep your wallet full. Here are a few tried-and-tested tips for traveling on the cheap » Read more
Take in the view at the Gravity Bar at the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin. Photo: Michael Gallagher
The Irish take their sunshine very seriously. This is mostly because they get so little of it in Dublin, and also because it’s the perfect weather to sit around for a few pints in. When it comes to summertime bars in Dublin, there are a few spots that are ideal both for atmosphere and the » Read more
Head upstairs to the "Loft" in Dublin's Powerscourt Townhouse. Photo: Informatique
By Jessica Colley— During the years of the Celtic Tiger boom, it was just about impossible for a Cheapo to do any shopping in Dublin. Sure, it’s fun to marvel at the gorgeous window displays at Brown Thomas department store on Grafton Street, but buying anything? Not in the cards, especially not with the exchange » Read more
Dublin's Phoenix Park is the largest city park in Europe. Photo: Pallotron
When the sun shines in Dublin, there are two places locals go: pubs and parks. Choosing parks allows Cheapos to explore new areas of the city while holding on to those euros for a rainy day, when you might be more inclined to order an extra pint of Guinness or two. For such a small » Read more
The harbor at Dun Laoghaire. Photo: Informatique
Dublin is a coastal city, but wandering around city center you might never know it. Many flights from the US arrive under the shroud of night, and travelers never get the chance to see just how stunning the Bay of Dublin and the coast can be. A train that runs along the coastline of Dublin » Read more
The Bald Barista café in Dublin's Avalon House hostel. Photo: Skywaaker
by Jessica Colley— Ireland has a tea culture. It’s almost considered rude to ask someone how many cups of tea they consume in a single day. For many, the answer could be in the double digits. Others who don’t have much of a “tea habit” can drink up to five cups a day. So what » Read more
Monkeying around for free in Dublin's Natural History Museum. Photo: New Chemical History
Dublin might have a rainy reputation, but this city has many free museums where you can leisurely wait out a storm. Travelers might automatically be drawn to free art museums, but there are also fascinating literature and science exhibits, too. The center of Dublin is packed with free museums–the following three options are less than » Read more
Dublin's Canal Bank Cafe. Photo: Canal Bank Cafe
You don’t have to order the (sort of scary?) black pudding or the full Irish breakfast to enjoy a meal that will banish your Guinness-induced headache on a Sunday morning in Dublin. While there are still plenty of places in town to find your traditional “fry” (as an Irish breakfast is often called), there are » Read more
Bikes wait for riders in Dublin's city center. Photo: Informatique
In 2009, the streetscape in Dublin changed for good. Almost overnight, the bicycle lanes were filled with splashes of bright blue – the Dublin Bikes (or simply “db”) bike-share program had launched. A development like this in a city as small as Dublin caused quite a stir. Suddenly, you could be almost anywhere in the » Read more
Strolling through the Temple Bar food market. Photo: Informatique
Before I tasted the Paddy Jack Sandwich, I thought I had tasted Irish lamb. Then one Saturday I was browsing through an outdoor food market in the Temple Bar District of Dublin and my perceptions were forever changed. This €5 sandwich consists of two country-thick slices of olive bread, generous slices of roasted lamb, brie » Read more
Reasonably priced seats at Dublin's lovely Gaiety Theatre. Photo: Ilja
In the Irish capital city, theater tickets can cost the same as a few pints of Guinness. Despite the fact that Dublin is one of the literary capitals in the English-speaking world, theater tickets have remained affordable across the board. With a long tradition of story-telling and good humor, it should come as no surprise » Read more
