Mulligan's

The ones you won't find necessarily find as recommendations in Lonely Planet or by your local tourist office. As someone who's lived in Dublin for 25 years, these are just some of my favourite bars and pubs in the capital. From high-end cocktails in swish surroundings to creamy pints in grungey locals; from craft beers in hipster joints to fine wines in cosy cellars - the city is awash with vibey and quirky places to have a drink or two, and maybe some decent food. Or perhaps some Sunday jazz. The options are endless. Spoiler alert - only one of them is in Temple Bar...

There are many different ways to see the Emerald Isle from group travel, to train travel, bus travel, to self-drive or chauffer driven. This itinerary focuses on some areas of the country that are "off the beaten path" and accessible by self-drive or hiring your own private driver. We highlight some points of interest that are common to the country, but delve into some other spectacular sites, villages and places that don't normally show up on a "typical Irish getaway". The itinerary is mapped out for a grand tour of the country, going to towns and villages that aren't always referenced in the normal brochures and is perfect for people who may have seen a lot of Ireland already and want to delve into smaller, niche areas; or for those who enjoy traveling off-the-beaten path and away from most of the general tourist destinations - getting into the heart of the country.

As someone who studied abroad in the beautiful, historic city of Dublin, I had more than my share of time to explore great restaurants and bars in the area. Dublin is not all meat and potatoes, so foodies, this city is for you!