A Bradford City fan’s guide to Ireland

By Width of a Post on July 21, 2012

For Bradford City fans travelling to Ireland next week to watch the Bantams’ tour of the country, City exile Richard Cowman has put together this rather excellent and useful guide to drinking and tourist hotspots.

Dublin is more than Temple Bar – so much more, but don’t tell the locals I told you so.

After 16 years here I have loved it since the moment I stepped off one of Ryanair’s delightful flights. So what to do and what to see.

For real ale lovers, try Messr Maguire on the Quays just round the corner from Temple Bar, or the Porterhouse at the top west end of Temple Bar – both brew their own ales and stouts and serve bottled beers from around the world.

For Guinness lovers:

The Palace Bar, Temple Bar
Mulligans, Poolbeg Street.
Keoghs, Bruxelles, and McDaids all in 500m of each other off Grafton Street.
Temple Bar is expensive and touristy – although have a look in St John Gogarty if you like a bit of traditional music or the Temple Bar further up.
For an eclectic music mix, and people mix The Doggy Dew – from ska on a Sunday to rock during the week you never know what you will find on or who is drinking in there.
For a look at how the other half live/or wannabees – check out Dawson Street with Caféen Seine, and its neighbours.
South William Street with Dakota, a long ranging late bar with good vibe – variable pints!
Baggot Street with a host of bars – O’Donoghues for traditional music a good pick.
Or stay in Temple Bar and never move from Fitzsimons and the like.
Flannerys on Camden Street for late night antics – plus a host of bars around here – catering in the main to students.
George St with a few rainbow pubs, but look out for the Market Bar just off it – good tapas and great bar to look at.

Nightclubs are all over but with the abundance of late bars there is little need to hit them in my opinion – save your money. However, Lilys bordello, and Krystal are the 2 where the WAGS are likely to be or the Leinster rugby lads

For mid-week when it is quiet, you will not be let down in Copperface jacks – commonly known as Coppers. Pick up a nurse or a copper – take your pick – come out of this place single, and you need to be asking questions!

For food there are great spots all over town and now the Celtic Tiger has fled and left us there is great value to be had. There is a small China town developing at the top end of O’Connell Street with amazing food and value. Check out a lot of the pre theatre menus/early birds even on a weekend.

Tours of the City – check out the Viking Splash Tour that hits the Liffey, or take the red or green buses – the Green bus I think is a driver commentary and hilarious if you can understand the driver – the red bus is a standard tape I believe. From the bus check out the GPO, and also the Kilmainhaim Jail and realise why they hate the English so much – but wrap up – it’s a cold dark tour. Standard spots the Guinness Brewery, and the Jameson Distillery are worth a trip.

For a bit of sunbathing, if it comes out next week as promised, check out the Phoenix Park and St Stephens Green – or get the DART to Howth, a great fishing village with some great food and drink available. Or Sutton (ask for the Hole in the Wall beach), and walk then to Howth to refresh.

South of the City – Sandymount Beach, the Forty Foot and Dun Laoghaire, Greystones and Killiney are all well worth a visit en route to Bray.

Bray is to me like Morecambe and I have rarely been so I will be as intrigued as most of you what to expect!

For those heading to Wexford expect a town with little on the outside but a cracking wee pub life. For those driving down try and check out the Wicklow Mountains – the Sally Gap and the Wicklow Gap, Glendalough, Powerscourt Falls – the list is endless.

For anyone travelling wanting to know more twitter me @citygent1969 – and see you at the matches. I hope you enjoy the city as much as I do weekly.