Live the Local: Dublin & Malahide, Ireland

See the streets of Dublin and the surrounding areas as the locals! This guide attempts to avoid some of the more touristic and monetized parts of Dublin, and instead focuses on immersion into the Irish culture. Find out where locals eat, drink, and socialize in this detailed itinerary! Please note that I am not Irish myself; I have compiled this guide based on personal experience, cultural readings, and recommendations from Dubliners.

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I: Southern Dublin

Keoghs Cafe

@alexbeckham

Grab breakfast at this charming cafe on the south side of River Liffey. Tourists and locals alike frequent this place as it opens early, even on Sundays. The classic breakfast should be plenty to fill you up, and the location is known for its great service.

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St Stephen's Green

@alexbeckham

Head south from Keoghes to experience one of Dublin's most beautiful parks: St. Stephen's Green. Less crowded and more walkable than the northern Phoenix Park, you'll have a much easier time enjoying yourself here. Bikes are available to rent outside the gates if you're looking for more adventure! If you get lucky, you may even catch "The Pigeon Man," a local Dubliner who has befriended the pigeons of the area right outside the northwestern arch.

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Stephen's Green Shopping Centre

@alexbeckham

After enjoying the beautiful botany at the Green, head just a block north to do some shopping and snacking at Stephen's Green Shopping Centre. This centre has something for everybody: coffee shops, record stores, thrift stores, and more!

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Grafton Street

@alexbeckham

After lunch, head to your first strip of the day at Grafton Street. Long known as the hub for nightlife in southern Dublin, you can find local pubs, shops, and more on this street. Talk to a few locals or bartenders in this area to get a grasp on what local life is like (and grab some food/drink recommendations from them as well!). A personal favorite spot here is Kehoes Pub.

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Courtyard Restaurant

@alexbeckham

Once your shopping is done, go grab a Guinness and beef stew right by the river at the Courtyard Restaurant. Located just far enough away from the Temple Bar district to avoid the tourist crowd, you should be able to grab an authentic Irish meal here.

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Mulligan's

@alexbeckham

For your first taste of Irish nightlife, head just next-door from the Courtyard Kitchen to Mulligan's Pub. Shaped with a long bar and several local Irish brews on tap, you're sure to be making friends soon here.

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J.R. MAHON'S

@alexbeckham

Another local hotspot, end your night at J.R. Mahon's. There's plenty of space here to have a few pints, make some friends, and even get some delicious Irish food in you as well. If you're still wanting more of the nightlife after this, head straight to the east to find more local pubs!

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II: Northern Dublin

Lemon Jelly Cafe

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Make a quick stop for breakfast at this beautiful cafe north of the River Liffy. This place was so tasty that I came back several times on my trip. It has everything: friendly staff, delicious coffee, and a fun environment.

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River Liffey

@alexbeckham

Walk the River Liffy, stopping at any shops or eateries that seem appealing. You'll get to take in the chaos of the crowded Dublin streets and might find your new favorite spot!

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Kilmainham Gaol

@alexbeckham

Although more of a tourist attraction, I am including this Kilmainham Gaol in this guide as it is a key part of Irish history. Take the train or Uber back across the river for this quick stop; learn from experienced tour guides how the first jail to utilize a "single cell" philosophy worked, as well as its place in history with the IRA and deadly potato famine. Don't be scared to ask questions as the guides here are incredibly friendly and well-informed! Note that you will absolutely need a reservation for this tour. This is a popular attraction and spots fill up quickly!

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The Grand Social

@alexbeckham

A hub for local music, swing by The Grand Social for a cheap show. They host acts of all varieties, so check who's playing and then grab your tickets online! I was able to catch a local folk band that even covered some traditional Irish music.

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Arthur's Pub

@alexbeckham

My personal favorite local spot in Dublin, head here on any day of the week to catch live music at night. I was able to catch their Blues Day, which falls on the first Wednesday of every month. Shows are just $5 and come with a beautiful environment and friendly crowd.

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Fibber Magees

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After getting your fill of live music, head to Fibber's to cap off your last day in Dublin. Offering DJ's, bands, cheap beer, and quiet areas, this pub has everything you could hope to experience in Irish nightlife. Be wary as this pub does tend to get rowdy at night (in a good way!).

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III: Malahide

Dublin is excellent to learn more about the local culture and hobbies, but to get a true immersive experience, head to the working town of Malahide. Situated on the eastern coast about an hour's train ride north of Dublin, you'll be able to gain a deeper appreciation for suburban life in Ireland here.

Malahide Beach

@alexbeckham

The beach is a short walk from the train station and offers a stunning sunset and views. Bring a blanket and relax for awhile here as it tends to not get crowded at all.

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Gibney's Of Malahide

@alexbeckham

An absolute must-visit in Malahide, stop by Gibney's for any type of sporting event. The crowd is filled with passionate fans and you're likely to hear chanting and cheering for every match that's on the television. A large space, you can also relax and grab some delicious food here as well!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alex Beckham

Hello! My name is Alex Beckham and I'm an experienced traveler specializing in culturally immersive experiences. I believe that the most fun and authentic way to travel is to live the way of the local, learning how different and unique each culture is along the way. Traveling in this way allows you to broaden your horizons and develop yourself and mind in otherwise completely unfeasible ways. My itineraries are built based on personal experience, cultural & historical readings, and personal recommendations from locals and cultural experts. I am by no means an expert, but I do my absolute best to provide a comprehensive, immersive experience to travelers.

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