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How to see Dublin in 3 days (and avoid drinking in Temple Bar)

August 21, 2017 by Meg 4 Comments

How to see Dublin in 3 days. Ideas that get you out of the city, and exploring more of what Dublin has to offer - and avoiding drinking in Temple Bar.If you think of Dublin, most would first think of Guinness pints (or whiskey) and pub crawls through Temple Bar. For most tourists they think this just refers to the pub called Temple Bar, when actually the name of the whole suburb/district is Temple Bar. I like to avoid Temple Bar at all costs, it is just a huge tourist trap, and there really is a lot more to do in Dublin than just to do an epic long pub crawl. Firstly, I would argue that attempting to pub crawl throughout Dublin will probably kill you. Secondly, Temple Bar as a district, is not a true representation of Ireland and the Irish culture. It is highly commercialised, and largely a giant trap for tourists to spend all their cash on overpriced drinks in over crowded pubs.

I am not saying you should totally avoid Temple Bar, poke your head in there if you want, but definitely avoid drinking there – unless you are young, flush on cash and drunken crowds are totally your vibe. I think most tourists are looking for an authentic experience, and Dublin has a lot more to offer than just drinking in Temple Bar.

Transport in Dublin:

You should know that if you are flying into Dublin, you don’t necessarily need to rent a car if you plan on just sticking around Dublin. Public transport is pretty good in the city, and it can get you to most of the places up and down the coast. If you are planning on exploring more of Ireland, then yes, you should totally rent a car.

If you are not renting a car, there are basically two ways you can get from the airport to the city center: taxi or bus. Taxi could work out expensive, depending on the time you arrive and where you are heading (around EUR30 and upwards). The Airlink bus offers a EUR10 return ticket, however if you get a visitor leap card, this is included as a mode of transport you can use.

The public transport system is pretty decent in Dublin, definitely far better organised than back home in South Africa. But it is not as organised as other major cities (like London or New York). The time tables are fairly accurate, but sometimes buses have been known to not arrive on time, or arrive and leave before you get there.

For those of you looking to conserve your cash, the best way to make use of public transport is by purchasing a visitor leap card. It means you can use all modes of transport (bus, train, and tram, as well as the Airlink which takes you from the airport into the city and back). For a 3 day/72 hour pass, it will cost you under EUR20. You can buy this card at the airport, or in the city. More info on the visitors leap card can be found here.

Just a final note on public transport, things often take longer than expected when you use it. Public transport is less frequent over weekends, and it often takes longer than you think to walk around and orientate yourself. I often find that we can easily get distracted and lose track of  time when we are exploring the city. We have learnt to be fairly flexible in our travelling itineraries and always leave a bit earlier if we have a specific time slot booked.

The Weather in Dublin:

It will rain – but that is Ireland, so don’t let that stop you from fully exploring the city or you will be waiting all year for the perfect day. Dubliners really have the best attitude, they never let the weather hold them back from getting out and doing things.

You will find that although Dublin has a pretty mild summer (only a few days of really hot weather), it also has a fairly mild winter compared to other European countries, we rarely get lots of snow. The weather can honestly change within the hour, so dress in layers, and account for all seasons – regardless of what time of year you plan your visit.

How to explore Dublin in 3 days, and avoid drinking in Temple Bar. Click To Tweet

Here is my 3 day itinerary to exploring all that Dublin has to offer:

Day 1 – Explore the city

    • The Ha’penny Bridge versus the Samuel Beckett Bridge – Rob and I have different favourites. I love the history behind the Ha’penny, whereas Rob loves the structural/modern appeal of the Samuel Beckett. Regardless of our opinion, you should totally walk along the Liffey River between the two bridges, it gives you a nice overall feeling of Dublin as a city, and it is a pleasant walk. Most people when giving directions in Ireland, will give you the name of the closest pub as a reference point. Two pubs worth checking out close to both bridges would be The Ferryman (close to Samuel Beckett Bridge), and The Church (which is an old church turned into a pub, pretty close to the Ha’penny Bridge).Samuel Beckett Bridge, Dublin, Ireland
    • Grafton Street is also a great tourist spot. Most would say it is good for shopping, but I find it quite expensive. The reason I suggest you should walk along Grafton Street is actually more for the buskers. The street performers you will find on this street are just phenomenal. Stephen’s Green is at the top Grafton Street, and it is a great spot for a picnic lunch.
    • If you are keen for more bargain shopping, then on the other side of the Liffey are plenty of shops along Henry and Mary Street. At the top of Henry Street, on O’Connell Street, you need to check out The Spire, alternatively titled the Monument of Light. This is kinda hard to miss, but if you are not looking for it, you might not be aware of it. It is a large, stainless steel, pin-like monument 120 metres tall. It is quite a good landmark to help you orientate yourself too.

A post shared by Meg | Expat Life & Travel (@thisisus_living) on Jun 27, 2017 at 5:43am PDT

  • If tech is your thing, then I really suggest a walk around Grand Canal Docks – this is where Facebook, Airbnb, and Google Head Offices are. The Bord Gais Energy Theatre is also here, and often has ballet, opera, or musical events taking place here.
  • The Aviva Lansdowne Stadium is a must-see for the sports fanatics. You can walk along the dodder river from Grand Canal to the stadium. It is a short work and a great view of the stadium from a far. There are other walks you can do in Dublin, all free to do, read my top 7 walks to do in Dublin.Lansdowne Aviva Stadium, Dubli, Ireland
  • A night in Dublin is not complete if you don’t check out a pub (or three).
    • In the city, our fave pub is Doyle’s. This was recommended to us by a friend, and honestly, it gets really festive as the evening progresses. It is also central and close to bus stops if you are staying out of the city.
    • Another lively pub is The Bath which is pretty festive on match days (close to Aviva stadium), and if you are looking for a more quiet spot, just up the road is the Old Spot.
    • In summer, the Barge is the pub you can mingle outside along the canal (and if you are sneaky, you can bring your own).

Day 2 – History & Culture

  • I think it is quite hard to see more than two museums in one day. Regardless, there are over 30 museums and galleries (9 of them are FREE to visit) to choose from in Dublin alone, so this means it makes it really hard to narrow down what you can realistically see in Dublin in just 3 days. If I had to choose just two museums you should see, it would be Kilmainham Gaol and the Irish Museum of Modern Arts. They are conveniently next door to each other, so depending on how early you get up and over to that side of town, you might be able to see more than just these two.
      • For Kilmainham Gaol, this is a great tour that gives you insight into Irish History through a tour of the old jail. The tour guide we had, was dynamic and captivating, I even got a bit teary towards the end. Being someone who has visited Robben Island, which tells the story of Nelson Mandela’s imprisonment, and the tour is done by previous political prisoners, I thought it would be pretty hard to beat my own country’s history. But I found the tour so interesting, and well worth the EUR8 entry. You need to book in advance online as there are limited numbers for each tour time slot. The tour takes about 90 minutes.

    If you ever find yourself in Dublin, make sure you visit Kilmainham Gaol. This is honestly one of the BEST museum tours I have ever done. Niamh was our tour guide and she was superb, I even got a little teary in parts of it. Only €8 to visit, but it books up fast so make sure you book a time slot in advance online to avoid disappointment. – – – – – #discoverireland #ireland? #irishblogger #Eire #irishsummer #visitireland #tourismireland #wanderireland #irishhistory #kilmainhamgaol #gaol #kilmainham #dublintourism #visitdublin #thingstodoindublin #exploredublin #traveltips #dublintrip #dublin #dublintown #igersdublin #discoverdublin #storyofdublin #dublincity #dublindiaries #picturethisdublin #republicofireland #traveltour #touristinmycity #exploreyourcity

    A post shared by Meg | Expat Life & Travel (@thisisus_living) on Aug 6, 2017 at 1:13am PDT

    • Irish Museum of Modern Art is pretty huge, so I would suggest getting there after lunch and tackling it for the rest of the day.
    • As a reward for a day filled with history and culture, you should totally swing past the Old Royal Oak Pub. It is a small local pub, with a bit of an outside area if the weather is good.
  • If you are looking for some more Irish culture, then I really recommend catching a GAA game at Croke Park. We have gone and watched a double header (which is two games back to back – hurling, then football). Tickets can also be booked online.GAA game at Croke Park, Dublin, Ireland

Day 3 – The great outdoors; heading North or South along the DART line

If you are travelling through Ireland for the first time, then you totally have to get a walk along the cliffs in as part of your travel plans. You can head out of Dublin for a day out, either heading up North, or going further South. Both are conveniently on the DART train line (included in your visitor leap card pass), so you can definitely do this as a day trip out of the city. I would suggest either heading north or south, as I am not sure you can do both in one day.

  • If you head North, then you should visit Malahide castle and gardens, with a stop at Avoca for tea. The tour of the castle is interesting, costs EUR12.50 which includes a guided tour of the rooms as well as access to walk around the gardens which are also really beautiful. Malahide Castle and GardensFrom Malahide, you can walk to Portmarnock beach, which is probably the first beach we have been on that reminds me of home. After this short trip to the seaside, you should head to Howth for some fish and chips and a walk along the small harbour front. Follow the path along the cliffs towards the lighthouse, with a stop at the pub at the top of the hill, the Summit Inn Pub.
  • If you head South then you should start in Dun Laoghaire, which has a food market ever Sunday at the People’s Park. It is a great place to grab a quick brunch, but make sure you have space for a Teddy’s 99 ice cream cone and a walk along the pier or promenade.

    A post shared by Meg | Expat Life & Travel (@thisisus_living) on Aug 15, 2017 at 10:38am PDT


    Here is a post I wrote about a day trip to Dun Laoghaire. Then from there you can catch the train to Bray and do the Bray to Greystones cliff walk, followed by taking the train from Greystones back into the city. If you want to spend more time in Bray, here is a post with more things to do in Bray.

As you can see there is TONS of things to do in Dublin. I have purposefully left out the Guinness Storehouse, and the Jameson Whiskey Museum – For more ideas on what to do in Dublin, check out this post on the 5 things every tourist needs to see in Dublin. I also wrote a post recently on the 20 FREE things to do in Dublin.

Come to think of it, I didn’t include things like visiting Phoenix Park (the largest walled park in Europe), or the Oscar Wilde statue in Merrion Square Park, or even where to find cool street art murals in Dublin, not to mention the donut shops to visit, or the walking trails you can do in the Dublin Mountains.

There really is so much to see in Dublin, you might need more than just 3 days to really see it all! But I hope that this small itinerary gives you ideas that get you out of the city, and exploring more of what Dublin has to offer – and not just sitting in a dark pub in Temple Bar drinking away your travel budget!

IF YOU COULD RECOMMEND JUST ONE THING TO SEE IN DUBLIN, WHAT WOULD YOU SUGGEST?

Unlock the simple life,

~Meg~

p.s. If social media is your thing (snap! It’s my fave too!), you should totally follow me on Instagram.

p.p.s. I try post varied content once or twice a month, to be sure you don’t miss out on the new post you should sign up and get all the news straight in your inbox – Sign up now!

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How to see Dublin in 3 days. Ideas that get you out of the city, and exploring more of what Dublin has to offer - and avoiding drinking in Temple Bar.

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Slow travel and how to explore your own city first

August 3, 2017 by Meg 5 Comments

Slow Travel. Making life an adventure every day, by slowing down and savoring what we have right in front of us is truly what I think makes your life infinitely happier, relaxed, and much more fulfilled. Here is how to explore your own city first. And no, you don't need a huge budget, and you don't need to jet off to distant lands to become a traveler.“Where is the first place you will visit now that you have a job?”

“When are you going overseas?”

“Now that you are working, when will you book your next holiday?”

These are the main points of conversation since I started my new job. Seriously, why are people always in a rush? Why does it feel like it is all a big comparison and competition? Life is so crazy as it is, everyone seems to be in a rush to tick off that bucket list, to rush through and get to the next bigger and better thing. They rush to travel to new places, but can they honestly say that they have truly savored the experience? Most people I find are waiting for Friday, waiting for their next holiday, waiting for a new year – why? Why are we not focusing on life as it is right now in the moment?

Why do people assume that to travel means to leave?

You can still explore and travel by staying at home. So often we think that to be living our best life we should be filling up our passports with visas and stamps in foreign countries – how many people can say that they have truly explored their home town? Have they have been a tourist in their own city? Making life an adventure every day, by slowing down and savoring what we have right in front of us is truly what I think makes your life infinitely happier, relaxed, and much more fulfilled.

Here is how to explore your own city first. And no, you don’t need a huge budget, and you don’t need to jet off to distant lands to become an explorer.

  1. Create a staycation. Some weekends I like to plan a mini itinerary on what we can see and do in Dublin, where we can eat and how our whole day will go. Just like as if we were visiting Dublin for the first time.
  2. Keep a bucket list for your city. We have an ever-growing list of things we want to do in Dublin, and we had a similar list in Johannesburg. On weekends when we are not sure what to do, we can go through the list and find ideas that we wrote down. It is a great way to remember and get to see everything.
  3. Try visit a new place every time. One of our rules is that we try not go to the same restaurant or pub more than twice. This is because there is such a wide variety, and we want to explore everything. Also routine can be so boring and monotonous. If you feel like you want to spice up your routine, change it first by trying a new place instead of sticking to your local go-to spots.
  4. Get creative and find the things to do that don’t cost a thing. Not everything in life has to be expensive and over the top. Sometimes exploring a new park, or museum, or finding a free event makes life exciting!
  5. Do one new thing. Key to exploring is to fully explore something, you can’t say you have truly experienced a new place if you run in, snap a picture and leave. Slow down. You don’t need to rush through your whole weekend, doing everything. I like to pick one or two things we can do each weekend, but leave it really casual, and play everything as it goes – some weekends you just want a pj and series day and that is OK too.

So many people use Dublin as a chance to jet overseas without fully exploring what it has to offer. And while I will admit that was definitely a reason we chose to move to Ireland (it is so central to all sorts of wonderful countries) because we have been short on cash recently, it has forced us to get creative on how we get out and enjoy our free time. Through living on one salary and still wanting to explore, it has made us realise that it doesn’t have to cost a lot to explore your home town, and for us, it’s still an adventure exploring Dublin from the inside out.

The biggest benefit to exploring your own city first is to really fall in love and appreciate where you live. You start realising just how much your home has to offer, and it turns you into a travel expert and brand ambassador for your own city – you can become that go-to person on where to go and what to see in your home town. And because things are always changing, new restaurants are always opening up, life never really gets boring because there is always something new to explore.

WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR CITY? HAVE BEEN A TOURIST IN YOUR HOMETOWN?

Unlock the simple life,

~Meg~

p.s. If social media is your thing (snap! It’s my fave too!), you should totally follow me on Instagram.

p.p.s. I try post varied content once or twice a month, to be sure you don’t miss out on the new post you should sign up and get all the news straight in your inbox – Sign up now!

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Slow Travel. Making life an adventure every day, by slowing down and savoring what we have right in front of us is truly what I think makes your life infinitely happier, relaxed, and much more fulfilled. Here is how to explore your own city first. And no, you don't need a huge budget, and you don't need to jet off to distant lands to become a traveler.

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Filed Under: A Happy Life Tagged With: discover dublin, discover ireland, explore your city, irish travel, simple life, slow travel, travel, travel tips, travelling, travels

The best way to spend a weekend in Waterford

July 25, 2017 by Meg 10 Comments

If you ever get the chance to visit Ireland, I hope you will go and visit the oldest city in Ireland, Waterford. Read this post for things to do, places to stay, and food to eat when visiting Waterford City for the weekend!If you ever get the chance to visit Ireland, I hope you will go and visit the oldest city in Ireland, Waterford. We decided what better place to visit over St Patrick’s Day long weekend than Waterford City. We were warned by locals that it is a lot less of a fuss than the annual parade that Dublin hosts on St Paddy’s but that is kind of what attracted us most to the trip – less crowds and more exploring a place that by all accounts is kind of underrated for some reason.

How to get there (from Dublin):

  • By car; 2 hour drive.
  • By bus; 2 hours 30 minutes and costs 20 euro return
  • By train; 2 hours 20 minutes commute and costs 30 euro return (pro tip: it is cheaper if you book your ticket in advance!)

We decided to take the train, so we took the Luas red line, and got off at Heuston Station which is where the train leaves Dublin to go to Waterford City.

Where we stayed:

We stayed at The Barley Field, which was a short walk from town with very basic facilities but a pretty good breakfast included in the room fee. I think if you were wanting to spend loads of time at the hotel, it might not be great. The room was small, and there wasn’t much in the way of restaurants or places to eat. Depending on the night in the week, the pub gets a bit festive, but it quietens down after midnight. We were very happy to sleep there, get a good breakfast and hit the town to explore.

The Barley Field Bed and Breakfast Waterford City, Ireland

Tips on what to see and do when you visit the oldest city in Ireland, Waterford. Click To Tweet

Where to eat and drink in Waterford:

We didn’t eat out too much in Waterford, just to keep the budget down. But we did find a few spots worth a mention, and definitely recommend you visit them if you are ever in Waterford for the weekend. For a quick pint, and a bit of live music, definitely visit Tully’s Bar. They have a great selection of drinks, and it is a cosy pub with a small outside area in the back too.

Tully's Bar, Waterford in Ireland

There are two meals, Waterford is “known” for, the one dates back to the 17th Century which is the Blaa. It looks like a floured roll but it is a lot more lighter and fluffier. They are best eaten fresh, as they dry out quite quickly. We had them for breakfast at the Barley Field. Not sure if they are worth all the hype but we at least ticked that off the old bucket list!

Try a "Blaa" in Waterford, Ireland

Another food made famous in Waterford is at a place called Burzza. Basically they make really great burgers and pizzas. But if you are feeling adventurous, you should try their signature dish, namely the Burzza which is a burger wrapped in a pizza!

If you have a bit of a sweet tooth, then you need to visit Patrick Murphy at Larder. It is this great little coffee bar that sells viking approved coffee, plus great freshly made treats. We stopped in for a cupcake and a coffee. I have to say that Patrick was super friendly, and told us the story behind why his coffee is viking approved: One of the guys who plays in the TV show, Vikings, actually regularly goes in for a cuppa! Regardless of the story, I can honestly say, it was the best cup of coffee we had all weekend!

Larder Coffee Shop, Waterford in Ireland

Then no post about our weekend in Waterford would be complete without me telling the story of our visit to the local pub called Phil Grimes. We stopped in here on the Friday we arrived, as a final pitstop before bed. We walked in and found the pub was seemingly quiet for 9pm on a Friday eve but regardless, we thought we would sit at the bar and have a quick pint before heading back to our room. It wasn’t long before the bartender asked us where we were from, and what we were doing in Waterford. Within a few minutes Tom, the bartender/owner, started listing all the things we needed to see outside of Waterford. What we realised is that there are some really cool spots to see out of town, but all unfortunately most require a car to get to. Especially because on weekends the bus services don’t run regularly to these out-skirting towns. At the end of our drink, Tom offered to take us out to Dunmore East, a seaside town about 20 minutes drive out of town! We stayed for another drink and chatted with the rest of the locals. I have to say that it was the first time since arriving in Ireland that I felt so welcome, and honestly, they were so proud of their home – they were all such great tour guides. We took Tom up on his offer to drive us to Dunmore East and the visit to this local pub even prompted us to visit Dungarvan the next day – but I will have to talk more about these two towns in another post!

Phil Grimes Pub, Waterford, Ireland

If you want to get a sense of a local Irish pub, with real locals that are friendly and welcoming if you sit quietly and are ready to chat – then this pub is a must visit! Tom, we thank you for your kindness and hope one day to go back and visit you at the pub.

What to see in Waterford City:

Admittedly we were on a bit of a tight budget so we skipped out on going inside a lot of the museums and tours Waterford had to offer. However, Waterford is fairly easy to walk around and really, walking gives you a better feel for the place versus zipping through in a car. We found a lot of street art on the walls, as well as walking through parts of town where the medieval defensive towers and walls are still in tact. These walls once divided the town up between vikings and anglo-normans. The history of the town dates back to when vikings first founded the town in 914 A.D.

medieval walls in waterford city, Ireland

The one place we knew we needed to visit was Waterford Crystal Factory. It was quite a pricey entrance fee of EUR13.50 each but I have to say, the tour through the factory and watching how crystal is made and crafted definitely makes up for it.

Waterford Crystal Factory, Ireland

I took a million video clips and pictures throughout the tour, and I have to say, I would probably be happy to go back there again. I know Rob’s mum is really keen to visit, so we would love to take them down there!

Visit \waterford \crystal Factory in Waterford City, IrelandRob of course had no issue picking up pieces of crystal in the showroom – I on the other hand was freaking out that he would drop something and we would be liable to pay for it!

Waterford Crystal Showroom, Ireland

The Waterford Treasures are three museums in the Viking Triangle, namely: Bishop’s Palace, Medieval Museum and Reginald’s Tower. You can visit all three for a combo price deal.

Reginald’s Tower is the oldest urban civic building in Ireland. It also has an replica viking long boat outside of the tower.

Reginald's Tower & viking long boat, Waterford, Ireland

The Medieval Museum is said to be the only medieval museum in Ireland, this is according to all the online research we did leading up to this visit. But I would argue that that is not really true since we visited Dublinia in Dublin and the Athlone Castle – both of which are medieval museums as well?! Perhaps I am missing something here?

Bishop’s Palace is a Georgian mansion which covers Waterford’s history from 1700 to 1970. It also has the world’s oldest surviving piece of Waterford crystal, a decanter dating from 1789. We walked around the grounds, but decided not to pay for the tour inside.

Bishop's Palace, Waterford, Ireland

In hindsight, had we had more time, I think the combo for all three spots would have been 13 euro, so actually not too bad in price.

Christ Church Cathedral is free to visit. I am not sure what it is about churches that has me so captivated. We are not particularly religious, I think it is the fact that there is so much history within the walls that makes them so intriguing to me. The detail on the ceiling was so dainty and beautiful.

Christ Church Cathedral, Waterford, Ireland

I also have to say that I may start a collage of street art at the end of every post because this is by far my fave thing to find in every city we visit. It is such a great reason to walk through your own city too, you can find street art almost every corner you turn. Plus it is totally free to look at and admire!

Street art in \waterford, read the post for more things to see and do in Waterford City, Ireland

We did all of this exploring of Waterford City on Friday and some of Saturday. After lunch on Saturday we took a bus out to Dungarvan for the rest of the day, and for the whole of Sunday we explored Dunmore East.

If that is one thing I have to say, it is that if you plan on staying a while  in Waterford, then you definitely need to rent a car because there is so much more to see in the whole county of Waterford. But if you plan to break it up into shorter visits, then Waterford city itself is perfect to explore over a weekend.

HAVE YOU VISITED WATERFORD? WHAT DID YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT THIS CITY?

Unlock the simple life,

~Meg~

p.s. If social media is your thing (snap! It’s my fave too!), you should totally follow me on Instagram.

p.p.s. I try post varied content once or twice a month, to be sure you don’t miss out on the new post you should sign up and get all the news straight in your inbox – Sign up now!

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If you ever get the chance to visit Ireland, I hope you will go and visit the oldest city in Ireland, Waterford. Read this post for things to do, places to stay, and food to eat when visiting Waterford City for a weekend!

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Athlone: A day trip to the middle of Ireland

July 14, 2017 by Meg 10 Comments

Visit the middle of Ireland: Athlone in county Westmeath. plus 6 things you need to do in Athlone!This post is long overdue! I wanted to share my trip to Athlone which is in County Westmeath, Ireland. According to some forums and searches online, Athlone is considered the middle of Ireland. However, there is also a geographical centre of Ireland (which is Carnagh East, County Roscommon) and the middle of Ireland according to Irish Mythology is the Hill Uisneach (just outside of Athlone). Regardless of all the facts, to me, it is in the middle of Ireland.

How to get there:

  • If you book early enough you can catch a train for 30 euro (return). the train takes 2hrs5min from Connolly station, Dublin to Athlone.
  • I left buying a train ticket to last minute, and by then the price has increased considerably, so I took the bus instead. A bus trip costs 18 euro (return) and for a 2hrs15min bus ride from Dublin (Busáras) to Athlone, which I think is far more affordable, and for only 10 minutes extra!
Visit the middle of Ireland: Athlone in co. Westmeath. plus 6 things you need to see there! Click To Tweet

Things you must see while visiting in Athlone:

  • Shannon River

This is the largest river in Ireland. It runs from Dowara, county Cavan all the way to Limerick city, county Limerick (360.5 km!). To get to most of the tourist spots on the left bank in Athlone you need to cross over the Shannon as the bus and train stops are all on the other side of the river.

River Shannon, Athlone, county Westmeath

  • Lowe & Co

I cannot rave about this little gem of a restaurant enough. Lynda has created an ethical, organic, community deli that is just bursting with flavour and yummy treats. All locally sourced products, and a wide variety of items are made at the onsite kitchen.

A post shared by Meg | Simple Living & Travel (@thisisus_living) on Jan 20, 2017 at 1:09pm PST


They also have great coffee! I tried  the lemon and coconut cake while I was there – it did not disappoint! Check out their Facebook page, and Instagram page – just a note that they are closed Mondays & Sundays.

A post shared by Meg | Simple Living & Travel (@thisisus_living) on Feb 9, 2017 at 2:20pm PST

  • Luan Art Gallery

This is a publicly owned art gallery in Athlone. Admission is free and they have a display that changes every 2 months. Luan Gallery, Athlone, IrelandAt the time I was visiting, they had a display on illustration and illustrators using various mediums, which was fascinating! On the banks of the Shannon river, with floor to ceiling glass windows, the view alone is worth a visit (plus, did I mention it is totally free?)

inside Luan Gallery on the banks of the Shannon River, Athlone in Ireland

  • Athlone Castle

Looking to learn the history of the town, then you have to stop in at Athlone Castle. It is an interactive museum, with a great way of telling visitors the history behind Athlone in a fun and engaging way.Athlone Castle, Athlone, Ireland

The castle was built in the 12th century and a few years ago went through a bit of renovation. Cost of admission is 8 euros, and I recommend setting aside at least an 1 hour or so to go through the museum. Don’t forget to go up to the viewing deck as well, the views of Saints Peter and Paul Church and the river are pure magic.

Athlone Castle, Athlone

  • Saints Peter and Paul Church

I didn’t go inside, but you cannot walk past this church without snapping a pic.

Saints Peter and Paul Church, Athlone, Ireland

  • Sean’s Bar

What is a visit to a quaint Irish town without stopping for a pint?! It is mandatory that if you ever find yourself in Athlone, that you visit Sean’s bar.

Sean’s Bar in Athlone is the oldest pub in Ireland (built in 900 A.D). #Traveltip: you can’t say you have been to the oldest pub in ireland without stopping for a pint! It’s another great reason to visit Ireland. – – – – – #athlone #countywestmeath #westmeath #discoverireland #ireland #irishlife #luckoftheirish #irishblogger #travelblogger #mustlovetravel #wanderlust #staycation #throwbackthursday #thirstythursday #lifeinireland

A post shared by Meg | Simple Living & Travel (@thisisus_living) on Jan 24, 2017 at 9:08am PST


According to Guinness Book of Records, it is the oldest pub in Ireland. Built in 900 A.D, this cosy establishment on the river is a must visit pub. In summer time they have a beer garden out the back, and I told it gets very festive. I visited in the middle of winter, and still felt such a lovely vibe in there. Besides, who can visit a pub and not have actually stop and have a pint?!

Oldest pub in Ireland: Sean pub in Athlone built in 900AD

I only went for the day, so I only got to see the places above, here are places a little outside of town that I recommend you visit (especially if you have a car!):

Moydrum Castle – this is a castle that is in ruins, that has ivy slowly growing over it. It looks fascinating, and totally Instagram worthy! This blog post has some great pictures and shares the history behind the castle ruins.

Hill of Uisneach – As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, according to Irish mythology it is the centre of Ireland. You can only access it by taking a guided tour (cost is a 10 euro donation), the walk is about 3km, so takes about 2 hours to do. Open from May to September, Wednesday – Sunday at 1pm. Check their website for further info.

The Old Rail Trail – This is a greenway cycle route from Athlone to Mullingar. The full route is 40km, but you can do parts of it, as little or as much as you can. I really love that all through Ireland these greenways are being opened up – they are in the process of building one in Dublin too, and there was one in Waterford when we visited there too.

HAVE YOU BEEN TO ATHLONE, IRELAND? DO YOU KNOW WHAT TOWN IS THE CENTRE OF YOUR COUNTRY?

Unlock the simple life,

~Meg~

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Visit the middle of Ireland: Athlone in county Westmeath. Plus, 6 things you need to do in Athlone!

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Filed Under: Travels Tagged With: athlone, discover ireland, ireland, irish travel, travel, travelling, travels, vacation ideas, wanderlust, westmeath

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Hey! My name is Meg. I blog about the life I share with my hubby, Rob; our furbaby, Jack and the newest family member, our daughter Riley. In 2016, we moved to a new country, cut down on clutter, and started focusing on unlocking a simple life, filled with travel and adventure. Read my story here

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