While gallivanting around Dublin, it was unavoidable to partake in some of the popular tourist activities you can find in the city. I like to live a life of balance, and this comes into play in all areas – including explorations.
When exploring new places I like to balance tourist activities with hidden spots discovered from the locals.
On this day we did just that – wandered the city visiting big ticket places like Trinity College and the Guinness factory, as well as visiting a hidden gem. On this day I logged just under 20 miles of movement (I did squeeze in a short run, but most of this was from walking. I love vacations).
This post will cover the former.
Why Trinity College? Well initially because the Google said it would be a must see. I wasn’t enthralled by The Book of Kells (sorry), but the library was like something out of a fairy tale. Beauty and the beast to be exact.
Rows and rows of old historical books, guarded by ancient philosophers. It was like stepping into a time warp. I tried asking one of the statues for a book on mail order husbands, but he didn’t deliver. Owell, looks like I have to return to find my Irish soul mate.
If you’re not keen on wandering a hall full of old books (but you really should) the campus alone is simply gorgeous. I find college campuses to have a unique beauty. Of course they are slightly more enjoyable when I’m not an actual student, but they are lovely nonetheless.
After wandering the campus for a bit, it was time to get drunk on dark, sweet smelling, smooth and balanced Irish made beer. And by get drunk I mean take one tiny sip from the sensory rooms free sample.
Why the Guinness Storehouse? Because nothing says Ireland more than drinking beer in a pub on a Monday night (seriously, weekdays are just as busy as weekends out on the town) and every lad and lass will be drinking a Guinness.
Hometown pride.
We had a brief moment of, “eh – do we really want to go? Neither of us drink beer?” But oh boy O’berto I’m so glad we didn’t skip. This was a great experience for anyone. Even kids, just don’t give them your beer. Or maybe do. I don’t judge.
The tour goes through a series of self guided levels showcasing the brewing process, the history, the passion in the product, but the coolest by far was the sensory room. I’m not a beer drinker, but the sensory room tickled my food/drink/science loving soul.
Plus, free samples.
Of which I didn’t even finish. 🙂
You walk into a room that smells like sweet candy mixed with cocoa. Here you learn how to properly “taste the beer” and although I don’t care much for the flavor, I appreciated the art and science of it all. We all have a niche, mine just happens to be the science of coffee.
The storehouse is huge, and we spent a solid couple hours here (not including our post touring feast in one of the onsite restaurants, where our adorably kind waiter sold my friend on the Guinness infused cheese sauce.)
Your ticket comes with a free pint of beer, but neither of us partook.
Despite passing on the free beer, we still went to the Gravity Bar on the very top level. From here you’re met with a panoramic view of the city. It was beautiful. I was able to locate the spire in the city center, and realized just how far we walked.
Or maybe it just felt far because I had to ask five people for directions on the way there. Regardless, this satisfied my travel tip from the previous post. I loved asking for directions.
After hours of exploring the inner city tourist attractions, it was time to venture to the outskirts of Dublin. My next post will share why I believe it’s imperative to ask the locals where to explore.
Travel tip: Wear comfortable shoes. The best way to explore Dublin is by foot.
Blissfulbritt 
40 thoughts on “Trinity College / Guinness Storehouse”
Roda
I am not sure what would be my favorite the donuts or those books!!!
Brittany
A donut in hand…while looking at the books!?
ASipoftheCity
That’s the library of my dreams! How amazing that you were able to explore it. Also, if you get a tip on those mail order husbands please put in a good word for me 😉
Brittany
Girrrl, I gotchu. Us single gals gotta stick together. 🙂
Shelby
Can you give me a tour of the city please??? The college and storehouse look amazing!
Brittany
Deal! Let’s go. 🤗
Amy
Oh my GAHHHHHH that library!! I’m a total book-loving nerd at heart, and your Beauty and the Beast analogy made my heart skip a beat. It looks SO incredible! 🤓 When we were in Scotland on Father’s Day, we celebrated by taking a tour of a local distillery. Even though I was totally underage and didn’t want to drink anything they offered, it was still such a neat experience to see what went into every step of the process. Your Guinness tour must have been similar and so geeky and fun! 🙂
Brittany
This library was magical! You’d have LOVED it. That Scottish experience most definitely sounds like mine, it’s sometimes cool to just see the process!
kathy @ more coffee, less talky
THAT LIBRARY! I DIE!!!!!
Brittany
I knooooowww. Insane.
Ellie
Beer isn’t my jam either…but I’m teaching myself to like it 🙂
Brittany
HA, you have sincere dedication.
Allie Zottola
That library! So epic. I have major heart eyes for it, and just the whole Trinity College campus!
Brittany
So much beauty and history!
RhapsodyBoheme
Wow this place is beyond words. Amazing and all the lines and architecture is stunning. I would be in there for hours photographing away and marveling in its beauty. I’m sure it was even more spectacular in person.
Brittany
It truly was!
SHRADHA099
Wow!!! An exceptionally beautiful place! 🙂 😀
Brittany
I couldn’t agree more!
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
Ahhhh that library. It looks absolutely magical. I could get lost in there for hours.
Also next time I’m definitely going with you because I’ll drink your free pint of beer, although I’m proud of you for your baby sip.
Brittany
😂 I sipped it for you. ❤
GiGi Eats Celebrities
I find it funny that… For someone who doesn’t like school…….. VISITED A COLLEGE in Ireland – LMFAO!
Brittany
Right!? And I love college campuses. Hahaha. But I hate school! Mainly just online stuff haha.
An Unrefined Vegan
Ya gotta do some touristy things while traveling! Sounds like you struck the right balance. That library!! First thought in my head was: Harry Potter!
Brittany
VERY Harry Potter like!
Liz Husebye Hartmann
Oh, I wanna visit now.
And slide down the spiral staircase in the library!
Brittany
😂
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stateeats
So. Much. Fun. That library is a stunner! I hope you gave your drink tickets away to someone who could appreciate them . Don’t you think Guinness has coffee-like notes? -Kat
Brittany
I didn’t quite detect coffee flavoring, I tried to hone in on the cocoa notes I’ve heard of. It wasn’t terrible, but sadly it also wasn’t good. Not to my novice palate at least. 😝
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sarahfoto
Free samples?? Have to add this one to my list!
Brittany
Yea! Bring a buddy that doesn’t like beer and you can have TWO! Plus your ticket comes with a free pint. 😎
P
Oh man we walked SO much during our days in London and Paris. I felt more exhausted from walking than from running, haha!
Brittany
So much truth. But it was much more rewarding for me. HA. Running zaps me more than anything right now.
Rach
That library!!!!! Oh my gracious, amazing! Like you said, it’s like something from Beauty and the Beast! Love!
Brittany
So much beautiful history. ❤
Angela
Walking is by far the best way to explore a city. Love the library and the storehouse looks so much fun! Your photos are fantastic… is that blue skies AND sunshine???
Brittany
YES! I was in awe, we had SO much sun on this trip. I wasn’t prepared for it all!
Kayse
That library is amazing!!!! How awesome did it smell? I love the smell of old books haha
Brittany
I think there were too many bodies in there to smell the books. Looks like I’ll have to go back on a not so busy day. 😂