Backpacking In Ireland

Finding Fun in Ireland’s Capital City

Ireland is bursting at the seams in culture and tradition, but backpackers will no doubt be aware of the country’s notoriety for drinking and being able to have a “good old knees up” anywhere, at anytime!

You could spend the majority of your time in Dublin exploring every pub and bar in the city, or alternatively, you can take in a dash of culture, mixed with a dose of fun, in order to get the best out of the capital. But don’t worry; there will be plenty of drinking to be had along the way.

Guinness Storehouse & Brewery
When you first find yourself in Dublin you will no doubt want to wet your lips with a refreshing pint of Guinness. And what better way to do so than at the St. James Gate Brewery, which is Ireland’s number one backpacker attraction and houses both the brewery and Storehouse museum.

A ticket to the Storehouse museum will cost around €12 and gives you access to the seven floored glass structure which takes you through the history of this world famous brand. At the peak you can enjoy a complimentary pint of the black stuff and watch the sun set over Dublin at the popular Gravity bar, which offers a stunning panoramic view of the city.

Oxegen Festival ‘09
County Kildare, the western province of County Dublin, is the place to head to if you happen to be visiting in July, as Ireland’s biggest music festival, Oxegen, brings the hit-makers to town. The event has rapidly grown over the years making it a very popular festival, which around 100,000 fans making the trip to the region.

Purchasing a weekend camping ticket is a superb way for backpackers to immerse in the revelry of the festival, and give you the unique experience of sleeping under the stars with 60,000 other people. And when the festival closes, take time to explore the charms and beauty of County Kildare and its pubs from the relative luxury of one of the many hostels in Ireland!

Phoenix Park
If camping in the country does not take your fancy, then you can instead spend the day in Ireland’s spectacular Phoenix Park. Situated just 3km outside of Dublin’s city center, the enclosed park is one of the largest urban public spaces in Europe, stretching out to 2,000 acres.

The park is home to a number of landmarks and monuments, including the home of the President of Ireland, the Wellington Obelisk Monument and the Dublin Zoo. With entrance to the park free, this is a fantastic and peaceful alternative to Dublin’s busy city center.

James Joyce Center
Dublin offers a wealth of pubs, bars, eateries and accommodation to suit any budget, which means it’s a fantastic place for backpackers to visit. With the majority of hostels in Dublin offering very central locations within the capital, this is the first step towards saving money on your trip to Ireland.

Staying at a comfortable and cheap hostel in Dublin will give you the opportunity to seek out the James Joyce Center. Located in a Georgian townhouse on Great George’s Street, this museum displays the collection of work that made Joyce a very popular literary figure.

The center contains many original pieces and other materials that literary fans will not be able to witness first-hand anywhere else. A selection of exhibitions take place here throughout the year, with the added bonus of walking tours, lectures and workshops. Tickets are priced at €5, but that’s a small price to pay for a wealth of knowledge.