CAPA WORLD

In one of her final posts, Jessica lists the 10 things she's come to love in Dublin and will miss as she returns home from studying abroad. From tasty treats to favorite landmarks, check out to see what makes all of these special and memorable in Dublin!

1. GARLIC CHIPS

If you’re looking for a tasty, unhealthy snack, chips with cheddar cheese and garlic mayo have been my go-to snack. You can find them in a variety of different places. My favorite place to order them is Abra-Kebabra and Supermacs (which is an Irish fast food restaurant founded in Galway).

2. THE HOTEL BAR

You can find a place to study at the hotel bar.

Hidden in the upstairs of a hotel off of Camden is a perfect spot to study. The vibe of the place is a super cozy and displays an old-fashioned feel with fireplaces and leather couches to sit on. And a bonus tip: if you order tea, you get free biscuits!

3. ST. STEPHEN’S GREEN

Take a walk around the park to learn more about what went on at St. Stephen's Green.

The perfect place to take a walk and hang out in the warmer months. There’s a little pond in the middle, and when you walk around the park, there are signs that explain about what happened around the green during the Easter Rising.

4. DUBRAY

Dubray is a bookstore where you can also order a cup of tea!

Dubray is a bookstore that has a few locations around Dublin. The Dubray on Grafton street is nice to seclude yourself from the craziness of Grafton. Up on the 2nd floor, there is a café where you can order a pot of tea that lasts at least 4 cups! The only downside—there is no bathroom in the bookstore for you to use after all that tea!

5. KC PEACHES

There are a couple of these cafes around Dublin and are great for coffee, tartes, pastries, and lunch! The $5 student box is a great deal—you just fill up a mix of dishes from the buffet and the price is measured by the size of the box, not the weight. My favorite thing to get is the mac and cheese, greek salad, or the mozzarella, tomato, and noodle salad.

6. PHOENIX PARK

This is the Irish President's residence in Phoenix Park. 

Phoenix Park is the largest public park in Europe, and there’s a lot to do! Personally, I like renting a bike to ride through the park, or go to see if there are deer in the fields! Phoenix Park is also the home to the Irish President’s house and you can visit it, right next to the US Ambassador to Ireland’s Residence. If you like zoos, the zoo is located here as well, and in the winter months there is a light show! If you get chilly, there is also a tea room near the front of the parkto warm up!

7. MUJI

Came across this cool Japanese retail company while running some errands for my boss at my internship! There are many household and consumer goods, including stationary and pens. It’s a very minimalist store, with an emphasis on recycling, avoiding waste of packaging, and has a no-logo policy!

8. JERVIS SHOPPING CENTRE

I visited this shopping center at least once a week. It’s right off of Henry street which also has a ton of stores. There is a huge Tesco here for the things that the Tesco Express does not have. It’s also great for finding kitchen and houseware for when you first move into Dublin. There is also a big Boots in here as well, for pharmacy and makeup stuff. There are clothing stores like Stradivarius (one of my favorite European clothing stores), New Look, and TopShop. If you need to top up your SIM card or get an Irish one, there is a Carphone Warehouse.

9. PEADER BROWN’S

This pub is great for live music and close to Griffith College! One of the things I love most about Ireland is the traditional music. Every Saturday, there are trad sessions at Peader Browns. About 10-15 musicians get together and just play off each other. It’s great to grab a pint and get to talk to some of the locals!

10. THE BERNARD SHAW’S PIZZA BUS

Step into the pizza bus!

The Bernard Shaw is not only a pub—once you find your way to the beer garden, there is a whole bus that is transformed into a little pizza restaurant! You place your order in the downstairs of the bus and then you’re able to sit in the upstairs of the double decker to enjoy your food! My friends and I would stop there for a snack all the time, and I was always sure to show people who visited me.

I am going to miss these little gems my friends and I have found all over Dublin...and there’s even more we would’ve liked to explore!

Thanks, Jessica!

Jessica Kisluk is an official CAPA blogger for fall 2018, sharing her story in weekly posts on CAPA World. A Broadcasting and Mass Communication major at  SUNY Oswego, she is studying abroad in Dublin this semester.

See more of Jessica's journey in Dublin.