#dublin area restaurants

[holidayinn01]

Classic In-Room Dining Dublin Area Restaurants | Holiday Inn

Holiday Inn presents BallyBunion Bar & Grille which is one of the best Dublin area restaurants. BallyBunion Bar & Grille serves Classic American dishes, including cocktails and local wine in a 40-seat dining room.

[streetsofdublin]

ALFAMA THE PORTUGUESE RESTAURANT AT WINDY ARBOUR

I never noticed this small restaurant before last Saturday [8 July 2023]. I was in a hurry so I did not have time to have a look at the menu but I will visit it within the next few weeks.

DUNDRUM AREA OF DUBLIN I never noticed this small restaurant before last Saturday [8 July 2023]. I was in a hurry so I did not have time to have a look at the menu but I will visit it within the next few weeks. I could be wrong but it is at an entrance to Glasson linear park which I have yet to explore in detail.

[pitchsidestories]

Dublin Girls II Katie McCabe x Reader

masterlist I word count: 2250

a/n: we combined two requests here which were Katie McCabe fluff and the Reader having dyslexia. Enjoy ! ❤️

Dublin, 2015

“Katie, your teammates have arrived.”, Fiona, Katie McCabe’s coworker at Nando’s yelled at her. It turned out that her statement was not even necessary as Denise O’Sullivan rushed in to hug her Irish teammate excitedly:”Katie!” “Hey, girls!”, the midfielder beamed as she looked into the faces of the other young female football players. Amused you noticed out loud, being one of her teammates at club and country:” My girl looking like a glaced donut, we really need to get her out of here mates.”

“Wait. I have two minutes left. My boss is going to kill me if he hears I left earlier again.”, your girlfriend quickly replied.  Hopefully Denise glanced at the brunette:” Can we at least get some Nando’s before we go back to our hotel.” “Do we look like the church? Is this a charity restaurant?”, Fiona scoffed. She reacted with a defeated sigh as the older woman noticed all the players were doing puppy eyes on her:” Okay, fine, what do you hungry girls want?” Those girls were one of Fionas soft spot which was an open secret by now even though she pretended to be annoyed by them whenever they came in.  Slowly Katie shook her “Just give them whatever’s left over.” “Hey, she asked us whatever we want.”, Ruesha Littlejohn protested laughing. Unimpressed she stated:“We’re not making fresh food for you at the end of our shift.”

“With alcohol everything tastes delicious anyway. Also, Katie, I need to introduce you to someone later.”, you winked secretive at your girlfriend. “Who? Can’t believe you all had drinks without me.”, the midfielder pouted. Immediately Denise added: “Not much.” “Yeah, sure.”, Katie snorted in disbelief.  With a look on the clock Fiona confirmed:” You can go now Katie.” “Thanks. See you next week.”, she waved at her co-worker before joining her Ireland team.

When they reached their hotel Ruesha closed her eyes, devouring the food she was holding in her hand:” Oh my god, this is so good.” “Only drunk people would say that about cold chips.”, Katie commented chuckling. Eyerolling the blonde told the brunette:“Oh shut up and start drinking!” “I wasn’t offered anything yet.”, Katie pointed out. A cheeky smile was on Denise’s face as she was handing her a beer bottle:”Here.”

Impatiently you guided your girlfriend to the hotel room you two were sharing:“Now let me introduce you to her.” “To whom ?!”, expectantly she was looking around the area, there was no one in sight. “Can’t tell you who because she has not got a name yet.”, you answered, picking up a small kitten who seemed surprisingly comfortable in your arms, as if she knew she was in save hands.

Katies jaw dropped at the little fur ball you were holding and reached out a hand to pet her; “Oh my god. Who are you? What are you doing here?“ “This is a little girl with no home so I thought maybe we could take her with us… I’ll just get more shifts at the coffee shop.“, you explained, having everything planned and calculated already. But Katie just raised her eyebrow at you; “Seriously? You found her and took her with you?“ “No, I asked the hotel manager and he said she was homeless.“, you defended yourself with a laugh. “Poor girl.“, Katie grinned, scratching the kitten behind her eyes. Looking around the hotel room, she added; “Are you trying to keep her in here?“ “Yes, until we go home.“ You pointed over at a blanket and a bunch of hotel towels rolled into a cat bed and a makeshift litter box. “You’re really a lucky kitty.“, Katie laughed, stilling petting the little cat. “She’s.“, you agreed.

A forceful knock on the door and Rueshas voice interrupted you; “Girls, let’s go!“ You sat the cat down while your girlfriend opened the door just wide enough for your teammates face to appear in the gap. “What are you up to, Rue?“, Katie asked excitedly. Ruesha grimaced at her as if Katie said something particularly stupid, so Denise explained; “We’re sneaking out on to the mens pitch!“ You didn’t even have to see your girlfriends face to know that her eyes got big at the thought of the much nicer pitch. “The one with the perfectly cut grass?“, she asked. You grabbed Katies jacket and shoved it into her hands; “Yes. So what are we waiting for?“

“I’m in.“, Katie smiled brightly as you let the door fall close behind you. “Who’s got a ball?“, you asked. Denise held one up with a wink; “I came prepared, don’t worry.“ You gave her a mischievous smile before the four of you snuck out of the back entrance as quietly as possible. The mens training pitch was not far from your hotel but it was locked and surrounded by a fence. One by one, you climbed over it, landing on the soft artificial grass.

The moon was bright enough to light up the field. With a sigh, Katie let herself drop to the ground and felt the grass with her hands; “They are living the life, huh?“ With her arms crossed in front of her chest, Ruesha stated; “I think we should play here. They can have the muddy dirt pitch we usually play on.“ “That sounds like a fair deal.“, you laughed, helping your girlfriend off the ground to finally play some football. Denise shrugged; “But only for us. They’d kick us out immediately if they saw us here.“

As if the blonde knew what was about to come a man shouted at them:” What are you girls doing? Get off the pitch!” “Oh shit.”, you mumbled under your breath. “Hurry, girls!”, Katie cheered her teammates on. With a glance back Ruesha observed cheerfully: “We’re faster.”  “Shit. My ball.”, Denise cursed. Because you knew how much the football meant to her you patted your friend’s shoulder before running back:” Wait, I’ll get your ball.” “No, fuck the ball. We need to go.”, your girlfriend shook her head.

Triumphantly you picked the football up from the grass while walking back to your teammates:” Got the ball!” “Run. He’s coming.”, Ruesha warned you.  The tension got too much for Denise who dramatically turned her back to not see what was happening in front of her: “Oh, no, he’s running faster.” “Come on, you almost made it!”, the brunette clapped her hands for you. Amused Ruesha caught you, so you did not fell over your feet:” We got you.” “Thanks for saving my ball.”, Denise threw a grateful smile at you. With a huge grin on your face, you replied: “You’re welcome.” “That was close though.”, Katie remarked while putting an arm around your hip as you were walking back to your hotel.

London, 2023

It was a grey and rainy autumn day in London when you returned to Katie and yours home, you could not help but to beam at what you were seeing, your cat being asleep on the defender’s upper body, that peaceful moment between them was definitely a little light on such a day: “Katie, what are you watching?”  “Just a video.”, the captain of the Ireland women’s national team tried to wave it off. Still your curiosity was awakened by her reaction, which is why you took her phone to see for yourself:” Wait, someone filmed that moment?”

 “Hey! That’s mine.”, Katie protested. Lovingly you nodded into the direction of your cat:” Look how small the little missus was.” “She literally fits into the palm of your hand when you found her.”, the defender cooed over your little furry roommate. The pet being one of her soft spots since the day she joined your household. Winking you commented:” And now look at her majesty laying here in all her grace and length.” “Acting like she owns the place.”, Katie noticed smiling. “Oh yes.”, you giggled. More serious your girlfriend continued, reminiscing about the time eight years ago: “But I do miss this time.” “Oh, you miss your shifts at Nando’s and not earning enough money with just playing football.”, you teased her. The defender looked up to you: “That’s not what I said.”

You rolled you eyes with a fond smile; “Yeah, I know what you actually mean.” “Our shenanigans?”, Katie replied, making sure that you were both talking about the same thing. “You‘re still doing shenanigans in club and country.”, you interjected, laughing. Now it was your girlfriends turn to roll her eyes; “Yes, but not like that.” But she couldn‘t suppress a smile either. You sat down at the edge of the sofa and tilted your head; “True though.” “Those were some good times.”, Katie reminisced. Softly, you patted her thigh; “Yes, but we also came a long way since then.” Laughing, your girlfriend agreed; “We did.” You let out a shriek as Katie pulled you towards her all of a sudden.

Your cat had abandoned her spot on top of Katie and lazily watched you two from her scratching tree. “Excuse me?”, you protested, your head pressed to your girlfriends chest. Katie let out a laugh and shrugged; “She doesn’t want to snuggle with me anymore, so you have two.” “You‘re such a softie when you’re not receiving yellow cards.”, you remarked while you reluctantly moved to find the most comfortable spot on top of your girlfriend. “Hey!”, she frowned but a smile tugged on the corners of her mouth. You lifted your hands in defense; “Just saying.” Playfully, the brunette narrowed her eyes at you; “I‘ll show you how tough I am.” “Should I be scared?”, you answered, more of a challenge than a question. “Of course you should be.” “I‘m not.”, you stated plainly. “Why not?” “Because you’re not scary, love.” “I‘ll show you how scary I can be on the pitch then.”

You laughed; “Will you score another banger at our next game?” ”Do you want me to?” ”Yes.” Your girlfriend acknowledged your answer with a nod; “I‘ll score one for you.” She winked at you. “How do you make clear that the goal is dedicated to me?”, you wanted to know while thoughtfully drawing small patterns on your girlfriends sweater with your fingertip. Confident, like she was waiting for you to ask that, she suggested; “How about I steal the ball out of the goal and run away with it?” “I like that one.”, you grinned. “As a tribute to our adventures at the national team.”

Your eyes met and you were reminded of the moment on the mens football pitch in Dublin eight years ago. ”Did you know that Denise still owns the ball I saved for her?”, you asked. Your girlfriend grimaced at the sentimentality of it; “Sounds like something Denise would do.” ”It‘s cute!”, you defended her. Katie shook her head; ”We really were some troublemakers. And sometimes we still are.”

At the next Arsenal game, you jumped into the open arms of your girlfriend: “That was a stunning goal, Katie!” “Hope you liked the celebration as well.”, Katie smirked. Excited you nodded: “I did.” “Me too.”, she admitted.

After the match Vivianne wanted to know from both of you:” What was the story behind Katie’s goal celebration?” “Long story, Viv.”, the defender replied nonchalantly. The forward kept pressing:” Will you tell it at your wedding?” “Maybe I’ll.”, your girlfriend answered. Curiously Steph intervened: “Who said wedding?”  “Of course, they’ll get married. They’ve been together forever.”, Beth laughed. Her girlfriend shared her opinion:” Exactly.” “Guys.”, Katie rolled her eyes at your teammates even though they all were very dear to her heart as you knew.  Still giggly Beth shot back: “It’s legal in Ireland.” “I’m aware of that.”, the defender said.

Later in your bed, the cat between the two of you, you turned to look in your girlfriend’s eyes:” Katie, you’re so quiet?” “Hm?” “Are you okay?”, you asked her a bit worried. Quickly she reassured you: “Of course.” “Good, I’m glad our teammates did not scare you.” “Why would they scare me?”, Katie glanced confused at you. Taking a deep breath, you added: “With the wedding talk?”  “Beth and Viv are just so in love.”, the defender scoffed but her love for them shine threw anyway.  Winking you reminded her:” That’s young love, sweetheart.” “Unlike us. Maybe it’s time to get married. I mean I’d love to call you, my wife. It also has some other benefits.” , your girlfriend grinned. Automatically an eyebrow of yours went up: “Like?” “Tax benefits?”, Katie snorted. You fell into that:” And your mum stop asking when we’re getting married?” “Good joke.”, the defender exhaled deeply. You thought out loud: “Oh right, she’d move on from that straight to children.”

“She’s so annoying. I didn’t know I’d be held to the same hetero-normative standards when I came out to her.”, your girlfriend sighed dramatically. Calmly you took her hand in yours: “Honestly, we already have a found family in London. But I’d like to marry you on our own terms.” “I’d like to marry you too.”, Katie said in an honest tone. You began to blush:” But you’ll have to proofread the invitations because you know with my dyslexia.”  “Don’t worry about it. We’ll let them get done somewhere.”, the defender kissed your cheek which turned even more red.

Grateful you thanked her, enjoying the company of her and the cat and the thought to celebrate your upcoming wedding with the friends you made along the way at Arsenal aswell as in the national team.

[panoramicireland]

Walking along Dublin's leafy and scenic Grand Canal at Portobello, Dublin.

The area has always been a sought after place to live and with scenery like this, some of Dublin's finest pubs and restaurants who could argue.

[hannahssimblr]

Chapter Thirteen (Part 2)

“Well, couldn’t have let you starve.” He holds the door open for me and I slip through it under his arm. It’s snowing again, and freezing flakes start landing instantly on my face. I shove my hands into my pockets as we walk together, but I can’t help but marvel at how bright the sky looks. Even though it’s well past midnight now the brilliant white carpet laid over the city reflects back into the sky making it look the same way that it does in the middle of summer on those impossibly long days when the sun never quite dips all the way below the horizon. 

“It’s been nice to see you again.” Jude says. “You know, I’ve missed talking to you.” 

I dig my chin into the collar of my coat to warm up my face with my breath. “Yeah.” I say. “You know, I really didn’t think it’d be so easy to talk to you after so long.”

“Let’s not leave it so long next time. I want to be your friend again.”

I blink, taken aback by the directness of his words. “You do?”

“Yeah, of course, I always felt like we kinda clicked.”

I laugh with incredulity. “Okay, well, you’re going to have to email back this time then.”

He looks at me and his eyes crinkle up. “Oh, sorry, but I definitely won’t. I’ve already proved to you that I’m horrible with communication. You’re going to have to wrangle me with a phone call.”

“Oh, well now you’re just making this sound like too much work… Who calls anyone anymore? You’re like some relic from the nineties.”

“Come on, me, I call people, in fact, it’s probably the only sure-fire way to access me at all. At least then you’ll know when I’m coming back to Dublin and maybe someday if you wanted to you could visit me in Berlin.” 

“Hmm.”

“And you’ll love Berlin.” He swears. “You’ll love my friends and the things that we do, it’s not all about drinking all of the time, there’s so much else. And the restaurants, you can have any food you want, anything in the world…”

“You’re really trying to sell it to me here, I get it. Berlin’s the best…”

“Just, here…” He holds out his hand expectantly and I stare at it until he clarifies. “Your phone please, Evie.” I dig it out of my pocket and give it to him. He starts typing something, and when he hands it back to me I see he’s put two things into my notes app. 

“The first one is my German number.” He explains. “And if you don’t have a roaming plan on your phone, that second thing is my skype name. You can call me for free.”

“Okay, well, you know where to find me…” I give him a side-eyed glance “…unless you’ve already deleted my details.”

“Never.” He says. “I still have your number.” 

“Okay then, but I won’t be surprised if I never hear from you.”

“You will.”

I don’t believe him. 

We reach the bar then and head back inside where my face is flushed with a sudden blast of warm air. The private area is nearly empty now with  just a few stragglers left, including Shane, Claire and Jen waiting forlornly around the table. Claire perks up when she sees us. “Oh you’re back, finally.” She breathes. “We really wanted to leave.”

“Where’s Marnie and Dean?” I ask her. 

“He and his friends got thrown out by the bouncers, and then Marnie and the brown haired girl went with them. It was about half an hour ago.”

“It was fun to watch.” Says Shane caustically. “He could hardly even walk.”

I give him a tight smile, trying to hide the deepest shame I have possibly ever felt. I keep picturing his face, Claire’s face, and even Jen’s face when they saw Dean. The shock and disgust in their expressions. It feels like shock and disgust at my decisions, at the choices I’ve made and the people I’ve chosen to spend my time with. I feel a second wave of shame when I think of the things Marnie said to Jude, and the way he just laughed her off like she was pathetic, like she doesn’t have any power I’ve been allowing her after all.  As I look over the small group left in this bar, I realise that Marnie would never have waited for me to come back from the takeaway, she would have left me here on my own, but here are Claire and Shane and Jen who sat out their boredom just so they could make sure I wouldn’t be left alone at my own birthday party.

Then I take Claire’s arm. “Well, I suppose we better get going, so. Thanks so much for coming, this was really really nice.”

“Yeah, for sure.” Jen says to me. “I’d love to catch up with you again sometime.”

“I’d like that too.” I say. 

“Summer.” She says. “When Jude comes back again in June I’ll have you over for a movie, we can all spend time having a proper catch up.”

“Yeah, absolutely.”

“Come on, let’s all walk out together.” And so we do, we all head out onto the snowy streets and when we’re ready to leave everybody starts hugging each other goodbye. When it’s my turn to hug Jude I try not to linger in his arms for too long, and I don’t know how to say goodbye to him again so I step back from him and raise one hand in an awkward wave. “Safe trip home.” I say.

“Don’t be a stranger.”

“You don’t.”

“I wouldn’t, not again.”

And then Shane, Claire and I walk away from him together without looking back. 

And that’s that. After a year and a half, we’ve run into each other again, we’ve talked, we’ve caught up and filled in the blanks and now it’s over, he’s gone, and my life will go back to the way it used to be. I have no hope in my mind that I’ll hear from him, and I wonder if it’s for the best that I don’t. He won’t call. The movie night at Jen’s house won’t happen, and maybe we won’t run into each other for a year, two years, maybe more. Or maybe, I think to myself as I trudge through the snow, maybe we’ll never see each other ever again. 

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[sangria-and-guinness-shenanigans]

Saturday, January 4, 2025 | Dublin & Wicklow, Ireland

Today was our bus trip!!! A colleague of mine at UMass suggested doing a bus trip through the Wicklow mountains, a national park south of Dublin. We found this tour with Wild Wicklow and it’s been rated #1 experience in Ireland and #2 bus trip in the world by TripAdvisor! We were really excited to have a relaxing day where we didn’t have to make any decisions or navigate ourselves anywhere.

Our tour guide Patrick, a local, picked us up in Dublin along with about 12 other people. He drove us through Dublin giving us some of the city’s history, then out of the city along the coast. We drove by Dún Laoghaire Harbor, which is where some scenes from my movie Sing Street were filmed.

Our driver had a lot to say about B-list celebrities who live in the area or used to live here in the 80s and have since moved away and/or died or who simply passed through one time. Also he told us a lot about the housing market and driving laws. He was cracking us up from the minute we got on the bus!!

Our first tour stop was Killiney Hill, a short walk with great views of Dublin. We saw a ton of adorable dogs out and about. There are so many spaniels here, we saw one springer spaniel who looked just like our Jamie at home!! Our tour guide told us he lived in Upper Darby for 2 years in his youth, we’re obsessed with him.

Next stop was Avoca, a little shopping center with nice wool goods.

Then we were headed up into the Wicklow mountains! It reminded me a lot of the Brecon Beacons, a national park in Wales. As we went up in elevation we saw more and more frost, until we got to the bog at the top of the range which was so frosted over it felt like another planet. Also in that bog is the stream that forms the beginning of the River Liffey that runs through Dublin near our hostel.

We had several stops along the way at lookouts over gorgeous valleys and it even started snowing lightly! The twisty roads on the edge of the mountain were making me very nervous, even though the road was pretty wide and had stone walls along the edge.

We had lunch at a little restaurant in the town of Lauragh (pronounced like if you said the name “Laura” and sneezed halfway through). Then we saw the ruins of a monastery and cemetery. We also took a bit of a rainy walk around some small lakes.

Back on the bus as we were getting ready to head back to Dublin, our driver Patrick mentioned offhandedly that he went to school at Synge Street, the school where my aforementioned favorite movie takes place. If we weren’t already obsessed with Patrick, that sealed the deal!

We’ve been keeping a list of our favorite Patrick-isms. Here are a few:

He likes to say “has anyone ever heard of…” and then say something extremely common like “ferns” or “ash trees”

He uses the word “say” in the same way a Valley girl says “like”

When pointing out historical things, he usually says “and if you were to ask me why [insert detail here], I wouldn’t know.”

Here’s a direct quote, from when he was talking to a Chicagoan couple on the bus about the US election: “We have a saying called ‘dilly dally,’ and with Joe Biden, he wasn’t right.” (Don’t worry, he’s no fan of Trump either)

We saw some cyclists going up the mountain when it was starting to snow and he said, “I like to call them martyrs for the cause, everyone and their grandmother knows it’s going to snow today”

We love Patrick and we loved our tour!!!!! As we got off the bus he gave us a hug and said “Philadelphia freedom!” Philadelphia freedom indeed!!!

We grabbed a quick dinner and then joined our friends from last night on another hostel pub crawl. I barely lasted through 1.5 bars so I went home, but as I write this Anna is still out! Maybe if we’re lucky she’ll write another guest post tomorrow :)

[godfrey-the-chaos-duck]

In her answer to the "get to know your moots better" tag game, @justaboot mentioned she'd love to go backpacking in Ireland.

As someone who lives here, I am making this post for anyone who wants to visit Ireland at any point, and I figure now's as good a time as any.

Weather

It rains like 24/7 here so bring a fucking rain coat. And an umbrella. I'm so serious. There will be mornings where you'll leave your hotel/tent/wherever you're staying and you'll think "It doesn't look like it's going to rain" NO. BRING THE COAT. The sky is lying to you. Just because it doesn't look like it'll rain does NOT mean it's not gonna rain!!

The west and north tend to get worse weather, but rain happens everywhere here.

History

Not gonna get into it here because that'd be wayyyy too long of a post, but a lot of our tourist attractions rely on people having at least some kind of knowledge of Irish history and/or folklore. It's interesting, if a bit depressing at times, but I'm pretty sure that goes for all countries.

Long story short we were under British control for a really really really REALLY long-ass time, and we fought like hell to get our independence. Oh - speaking of which, if you're anywhere near the border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, it's a good idea to avoid wearing orange ESPECIALLY in or around July. This is because orange is seen as a symbol of Unionist beliefs (ie, the belief that Ireland should be part of the UK) and it's a REALLY touchy subject for a lot of people. Do your research. Trust me on that.

Language

First off, most people speak English here (unless you're in a Gaeltacht region, where people mainly speak Irish. These are located in Cork, Donegal, Galway, Kerry, Meath, Mayo and Waterford, and they can be a great cultural experience but it's not for the faint of heart.) However, there are like a zillion different regional accents so good fucking luck trying to understand people 😂😂

The way Irish people talk has some nice quirks, some of which I'll share here.

Craic (pronounced "crack") No, it's not drugs. The word craic generally means a good time or other happenings. There are three main ways the word is used.

"What's the craic?" = What's up?/Any news?

To have the craic = To have fun, especially at a party

"No craic" = Boring, nothing happening at all.

If someone invites you for a "cuppa" or better yet, a "cupán tae" (pronounced "cup awn tay") they want you to come in and have a cup of tea with them. This is usually accompanied by a LOT of small talk, which Irish people are experts at.

Other expressions vary WILDLY by county and sometimes even by region, so I'm afraid I'm not much help to you here.

Things To Do Here

First off, our restaurants are quite overpriced, as are our hotels. However, our healthcare is fairly cheap.

We have SO MUCH NATURAL SCENERY. If the weather allows, definitely go out and explore it! Just watch out if you're hiking, as the rain makes a lot of places muddy and slippy, so maybe bring the good hiking boots. We also don't have a lot of animals that can kill you, which is great!

As I mentioned, we have a lot of places to go that are based in our history, and they can be great places to learn about Ireland's past. But if you're not interested in history (which is fine) there are plenty of other options. We have a wax museum in Dublin, a theme park called Emerald Park (formerly Tayto Park, after an Irish potato chip brand) and a LOT of great theatres, pubs and clubs. Oh yes, if there's one thing we do well here, it's our night life!

We even have a coastal trail called the Wild Atlantic Way, which stretches all the way up our western coastline, from Cork to Donegal.

And lastly, if you're in the area, there is this fucking LEGENDARY ice cream parlour in Sligo called Mammy Johnstons. It's RIGHT next to the beach, and (in my limited experience) it's the BEST ice cream place in the country.

So yeah! Enjoy your trip!

🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪

[uncloseted]

Imho we need to stop research deep diving into the people behind our entertainment and holding them to impossible standards because you will literally end up not being able to consume any media again. Your favorite actors/musicians/influencers/writer/etc have all done something problematic at some point and aren't morally perfect people that consumers are slowly demanding them to be. Of course it's different if they've committed a crime but I'm not talking about those types of creators here

I agree, 100%. I think people online need to have an honest conversation with themselves about what their actual goals are and what the best way to achieve those goals would be. Do you want someone to change their views or actions? If that's the case, the best way to achieve that goal is to nicely call them in to a conversation about it. It's not to dig up a post from fifteen years ago, send the person death threats, and then refuse to change your mind about them when they tell you that that's no longer their position. Doing that will only push the person further in the direction of the "problematic" belief or action, because at least the people who support that belief/action aren't trying to dox their families and get them fired from their jobs.

But I think truthfully, a lot of people online don't want other people to grow and change. They want to feel morally superior by punishing "bad" people who have done "bad" things. And in doing so, a lot of those people then start doing the bad things they accuse others of doing and justify it by saying that they had to do those things so that the "bad people" would be held accountable. Righteousness is a dangerous cycle to get trapped in.

I also think it's really strange because people don't apply this same logic in any other area of their lives. Like, would I start boycotting a restaurant because some line cook posted a bad take on his Facebook or stop buying from a store because the owner is an absent parent to his children? No. As long as I get the product I paid for, I don't really care what the personal lives of the employees are like beyond hoping that they're, like, happy and healthy and being paid a fair wage. But the minute the product in question is a celebrity, people lose the plot so quickly. Why should any of us care if actors are uninvolved parents or in a weird relationship as long as they're good at acting, the thing we pay them to do?

And of course, there are some important parameters on that, which I feel like I need to say lest I too be mobbed for having a bad take. For example, the Me Too movement was hugely important because it was about removing people with a history of illegal behavior from having access to the influence that would allow them to continue to abuse people. That's huge. I am in no way saying that we should uncancel Harvey Weinstein or Kevin Spacey. Cancelling them removed them from the film industry, which meant that they were removed from the position of power that they held over others and used to abuse people who were subordinate to them. The film industry is safer without them there.

But... do I care that, for example, Barry Keoghan is "problematic" because he got divorced, moved to a different country from his son, and started dating someone new? Is that worth boycotting his movies over? Saltburn was a good movie. Please, Please, Please is a good song with a good music video. I got what I paid for, which is him being a good actor. Me refusing to watch him in things because he's "problematic" would do very little in the way of his son seeing him more. Even if he wasn't famous, he very well might have done the same thing. Would I care about this if he was a guy who served me a drink in Dublin or something? No. So why should I care because he's someone famous?

Similarly, and this is maybe my more controversial take here, I don't really care if celebrities have an opinion on global sociopolitical events or not. The majority of celebrities barely have a high school education. For the most part, they don't really have the educational or informational background to comment on complex and nuanced issues in any meaningful way. There are some exceptions to that (Tom Morello especially comes to mind- also Natalie Portman, Emma Watson, and Bridgit Mendler), but those are also the people who are using their platform exclusively for business and have opted out of trying to be "relatable" celebrities on social media. And if I'm being honest, I think that's fine. I don't really want, like, Ariana Grande's publicist to post on Instagram about Palestine telling me what they think I want to hear so that Ariana doesn't lose public support (not sure if this is actually a thing that happened- just an example I'm making up). If anything, I think celebrities should be platforming people who are actually experts on these topics and sharing donation links for reputable organizations.

But nobody wants that, because by and large, people don't care about understanding any one conflict in particular. They just want proof that their fave agrees with them on whatever issue is most popular on the internet at that moment, and they want to prove that they're on the right side of history. And that's fine, I guess. Like I was saying the other day, I think people doing the right thing for the wrong reasons is better than people doing the wrong thing for the right reasons. The way things work now, at least people in Palestine are getting the aid that they need. But I think it also creates an environment in which the voices of experts (including the people who are actually living through the conflict) are getting drowned out, and it creates an environment where misinformation can spread rapidly.

All this is just to say that I think we need to be more aware of our motivations and make sure we have all of the information we need before we act. I think it's really easy to get caught up in internet hate trains, especially if you already didn't like the person and have been looking for a reason to justify your dislike for them. And the internet makes it really easy to jump onto those hate trains and feel totally justified in doing so. But as boring as it is, I think we have to take a step back and ask ourselves, "do I have a legitimate reason to dislike this person or are they just not for me? If I think I have a legitimate reason to dislike them, do I have all of the facts, or am I going off the word of someone who already dislikes them? If I have a legitimate reason to dislike them, will my actions encourage them to think differently about the issue, or do I just want to see them be punished? What would this person have to do for me to change my mind on them/forgive them? If there's nothing that would change my mind or make me forgive them, is it better to just block them so I don't waste mental energy on them?" I think it's better for ourselves and for the world at large if we choose to engage thoughtfully online instead of engaging impulsively.

[beneath-the-irish-sky]

May 28th - 30th

May 28th - 30th 

My day started at about 10 a.m. and I had plans to grab coffee with the group at 12 p.m. on May 28th. I had time to do some research and explore what I would like to do in my free time on the weekdays! I am so excited to be here! I love traveling, and one of my primary goals is to travel to every continent one day! In fact, I am heading to Amsterdam in the Netherlands this weekend for an adventure. I will write all about it when I return.

My teacher asked us yesterday what we were most surprised by, and I would have to say it is how green it is here. Yes, I know Ireland is known to be green, but it is still such a contrast from Phoenix, AZ. It is such a lively and vibrant green!

As anticipated, we met up at noon and walked about 15 minutes off campus. We walked through a small neighborhood and got to see what the neighborhoods of Dublin look like. When we arrived at the cafe, they informed us that we had to bring our own cups!

When we asked the cashier why, she said that it was for environmental purposes and that it is not widespread. Reducing waste is a smart idea and they have a lot of foot traffic, so it is working. We luckily found a store nearby that sold plastic cups and now we know to bring ours back for a refill.

We then joined our teacher and their family for our historical walk of Dublin! It was very interesting to learn the history and I am excited for tomorrow's lecture to further deep dive into it. I really enjoyed learning about the name Dublin and how it originated. Dublin means Blackpool, which got its name from the Vikings when they used to dock their ships in front of a castle (picture 6) in the dark waters. Hence, the black pool of water. We then walked past famous places like the Temple Bar (pictures 3, 4, & 5), known for its lively atmosphere, tourists and drinks. As we passed by the

Bank of Ireland, I learned it used to be the Parliament Building (pictures 1 & 2).

We then had a small course (learn while relaxing) overview while eating at St Stephens Green Park. It was gorgeous there! historical park and garden, located in the center of Dublin city. There is something for everyone to do there including those who are visually impaired. They take great care to be inclusive and kind. I would compare it to a miniature Central Park.

We then went back to the rooms for a while (pictures 7 & 8). I have been making friends and planning excursions with several other students. We learned Harry Styles is touring Europe and found that he will be playing at the Slane Castle outside of Dublin. How awesome is that! The concert is scheduled to last about 8 hours with 3 bands playing. Two of us booked tickets right away to the now sold-out concert on June 10th. Our section is so close to the stage. It will be an iconic kind of experience! Anything outside of Dublin proper requires planned transportation. The Slane Castle is in a rural area and about two hours away. Ireland does not have Uber or Lyft. We would have to find a bus route and purchase tickets in advance or take a taxi which could get costly and might not be there at the end of the night. We decided to go with a bus, and we are now looking for the right outfits to wear. In Ireland, you have to layer and plan for rain, cold, humidity or just a sunny day. Makes planning a bit challenging but I am up for it.

I am so excited to go and am so grateful for all the opportunities I have had on this trip. I ended my day with our group going out to a restaurant near where we got coffee that morning. I loved the atmosphere in it because it felt so welcoming.

I woke up a little later on May 29th because my class did not start until noon. We have a class on Irish history today and are learning how to navigate campus later on. I arrived at my class and attended the hour lecture that took a further deep dive into what we learned yesterday during the walking tour. It was really cool to recognize the sites that the instructor was lecturing about.

We had a break before we had to meet up for the class again to take a tour of the University College of Dublin (UCD) campus. During the break, we got food at the Centra, a convenience store that is located right by our room. We rejoined the group and met our tour guide for campus the session. This session was fascinating because not only is the Campus beautiful (pictures 9 & 10) but because I have begun to become good friends with everyone on this trip and everyone is so nice here. They are a perfect addition to this experience. We are all having a good time joking around with the tour guide and really immersing ourselves in the culture and information the guide is sharing.

After the tour, we decided to head back into the Dublin city center to get souvenirs and other things that people had forgotten to pack. We went into a store called Penny’s which is similar to a Target. We tried on clothes and quickly discovered that sizes are completely different here!  Generally, about two sizes too big!  I was pleased with the prices however because I bought a pair of good quality jeans for 10 Euros. After shopping, we stopped at McDonald's to see if it was any different than it is in the States or other countries I have visited. It was odd because this McDonald's was heavily guarded with security that would not allow you to go to the upstairs section without proof of purchase.  I also interacted with more Irish locals while standing in line and waiting for food. I met a group of young girls who were talking to me about school and what I should do in Dublin before I leave. I think that it is really awesome how people will strike up conversations with you and are willing to help no matter if they know you or not.

We soon headed back to our dorm and decided to start looking into flights to Scotland for our free weekend the third in. We were surprised by how cheap the flights were compared to the prices to go to Amsterdam and how much there is to do in Center City Eidenberg. The research was behind us now and we are still a bit jet lagged, though, I ended up staying up until about 1:30 in the morning before I finally fell asleep. An 8 hour time difference will do that.

We had to wake up early on the morning of May 30th because we had class at 9 a.m. I met up with the rest of the group, and we all walked over to our classroom at about 8:45 a.m. where we attended a two-hour lecture that taught us about the Irish language (Gaelic) and how to speak a few common phrases. It was extremely difficult! I did not know that they had three different dialects and that there are many ways to say the same word or phrase. At the end of it, I only remembered how to say my name and how to hold up a very small conversation. Very small. For instance, please is translated to "le do thoil" and thank you is "go raibh maith agat". I just hope everyone speaks english on this trip...

I really liked taking this class with this group because we all felt very unified. No one made fun of others for not understanding how to say something, nor did we make anyone feel bad for messing up. We were all very supportive and wanted the best for each other.

After the class, we had another long break where I went back to my dorm and realized that I locked myself out!  I had to go get a temporary key from the front desk before running back up and getting my stuff to go to Kilmainham Gaol (picture 11).

Kilmainham Gaol is a prison for thousands of men, women and children for minor offenses to the political uprising voices, and those who fought in battle. It is now a national monument and tells stories from those who lived out their sentences there. It was a very long bus ride and a very long walk to get there, but it was so worth it! Being able to see the place where many people in the rebellion were executed and lived out their final days was a very impactful experience that I'll never forget (picture 12 & 13).

While on this tour, I have noticed that every instructor or tour guide that we have had thus far has been very detailed and passionate about the topics they're talking about. They genuinely are so excited to teach you about their culture and about their history. I have also noticed that they are very proud of their country and where they come from! It has made for a very enlightening and fun experience.

We traveled back to our dorms and I worked on some homework that I had for class the next day.  When I was done, I met up with the group to book our flights to Scotland and to look into where we will be staying. We are really getting to know each other better! I cannot wait to see the rest of the country and to explore its neighboring countries in the upcoming weeks!

Thank you again if you're reading, and I hope you have enjoyed this Blog and pictures!

[holidayinn01]

Where To Find Best Dublin Area Restaurants | Holiday Inn

Holiday Inn is the top Dublin area restaurants and It's open for breakfast and dinner. Start your day off right with our classic American omelet or try our made fresh to order Bacon Cheeseburger for dinner.

[streetsofdublin]

LOCKS RESTAURANT ON THE NORTH BANK OF THE GRAND CANAL

Locks Restaurant was a former sweetshop and in revolutionary times its basement window provided a great vantage point for spying across the canal at the former British Army barracks, Portobello Barracks.

WELL WORTH A VISIT IF YOU CAN GET A BOOKING Locks Restaurant was a former sweetshop and in revolutionary times its basement window provided a great vantage point for spying across the canal at the former British Army barracks, Portobello Barracks. It opened in 1815 and became the National Army’s headquarters under General Michael Collins during the Civil War. In 1952 it was renamed Cathal Brugha…

[bradsbackpack]

Temple Bar Unveiled: An Insider's Guide to Dublin's Iconic Neighborhood

Every city has an area renowned for its bars and nightlife, and Dublin is no exception. In a city known for pubs overflowing with guinness and talented musicians the Temple Bar District stands above the crowd. With the area attracting tourists from all over the world, it was only natural for me to visit myself. The Temple Bar is filled with bars, pubs, restaurants, everything you need. It’s a…

[hannahssimblr]

Chapter Twenty (Part 2)

I text Claire when I’m on the bus and tell her I can’t make it to the hotel. Her response is immediate. 

Why???

I tell her about how Jude invited me to Dublin, and as soon as I hit send my phone starts ringing. I pick it up and she’s immediately talking. 

“Did he actually?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh my God.”

“I know.”

“So you’re going to Dublin?”

“I’m on the bus now.”

She gasps. “Is there other people going?”

“Yeah of course, it’s hardly going to be just me.”

“Still.” There’s a pause. “He might kiss you again.” She says it like it’s a warning, but I can’t help but conjure up the memory of him pressing me into a trellis wall at the festival, hot breath on my face, and my stomach feels funny. 

“Hopefully.”

She laughs. “Hopefully not! You tell him that if he’s going to mess around with your feelings then I’m going to kick his arse. Or I’ll get Shane to do it.”

“Oh, you didn’t tell him about what happened, did you?” I feel my face burning. 

“No way! I’ll just tell him to kick his arse and he’ll do it for me, no questions asked. I’ll make him fly to Berlin if I have to.”

I smile. “Whatever.”

“I want updates when you get back.”

“Ditto! I’m sorry I won’t see you before the debs. Be sure to take loads of photos, and tell me if there’s any scandal.”

“Oh I will.” She says. “Although I bet it’ll be a lot of Rock the Boat and the Cha Cha Slide, so more than likely nothing exciting whatsoever.”

“You don’t think Rock the Boat is exciting, no?”

She snorts. “Good luck tonight babes. Remember what I said. Keep him at an arm’s length.”

“I promise.” I say, my fingers crossed in my lap, and I hang up the phone. 

I clamber off the bus on George’s Quay and the city is thronged. The traffic is snaking along the river, buses and bicycles all fighting for space on the narrow road, and it’s noisy. There’s this incessant roar of a hundred collective engines idling, people talking, shouting, the hiss of the bus as it opens up the luggage compartment. I feel very tiny. I join a crowd of people waiting for the lights to change to cross over O’Connell bridge, and I’m carried along with the wave of bodies when the light turns green, the pedestrian crossing making that incessant beeping sound. I’m trying my best to look like I know what I’m doing in case someone mistakes me for a tourist and pickpockets me or something, and tell myself I’ll have to get used to this, because when I go to college I’ll be doing this every day. 

I queue up for the city bus near the Spire, and I never remember it being so huge. Everything here is huge. People’s faces don’t seem friendly, all hard lines and vacant eyes, that rush-hour stare. Someone shoulders past me as I cling to a yellow handrail on the crowded bus, and doesn’t even turn around to say sorry. I text my mam, letting her know I’m okay, even though I’m not convinced I am. 

I get off at Seafield Road, just like Jude told me to, and make my way up the street, looking out for any of the landmarks he mentioned. It’s a big, leafy suburban area lined with big red brick 1930s houses on both sides of the road. 

I hang a left off Seafield and head up Vernon Avenue, a string of Georgian terraces that opens out onto the sea. The air is fresh in a way that reminds me of the holiday village, but the seafront in Clontarf has nothing on the one I spent the summer on. It’s built up here, pathways and benches and those outdoor gym machines that nobody ever really uses, it isn’t as unspoiled and beautiful, instead it’s so very urban. I peer over a wall and down into the outdoor area of a trendy restaurant full of trendy people eating al-fresco, their plates adorned with microscopic portions of oysters and scallops and other expensive foods I’ve never tasted. A man with a booming voice says something down his phone about owning properties in Howth and I wonder if my mother really was onto something when she said this area was posh. 

I arrive outside Jude’s house. It’s an old Georgian place with lush foliage outside, a brand new car sitting in the driveway. It’s all period details and sash windows, a set of wide stone steps leading up to the front door, which has a classic arched fan light above it. It’s the nicest house on the street by far. It looks like it should be featured in a magazine.

I quickly learn though, that when very cool kids say that a party starts at seven, they apparently don’t mean seven. I’m the first to arrive, and Jude actually looks surprised when he opens the door to me. 

“Oh, Evie, Hi.” He says, the heavy-handed plonking sounds of a piano drifting into the hall behind him. ‘I didn’t think you’d come so early, I still have to shower.” Oh God, no. He lets me in anyway. “Come in, my sister is just practising for her piano lessons. They start up again next week but she hasn’t played all summer.” He rolls his eyes. “In case you can’t tell. She sounds shite.” He sounds especially American in this environment, so it’s freaky to hear him use a word like “shite.” 

I step into the hallway, high ceilinged with a herringbone wood floor that extends into the back of the house. It’s been built well into the garden, huge windows with glass so clean it’s invisible look out over a patio with all that expensive outdoor furniture that you sit on in the showroom to pretend that you’re the kind of person who could justify paying for something that’s only brought out of the shed for three months a year. 

I want to say something like: “I never knew you were so rich” to him, before I decide that it might sound stupid. I just walk on through to the open kitchen and dining area and act like I’m always in giant, converted Georgian houses, and this is all completely uninteresting to me.

“Would you like a cup of tea?” He asks me, and I nod, and then sit there watching him make it, perched on a barstool, the white marble countertops cool under my elbows. 

“I’m sorry I’m early.” I say. “I thought it was at seven.”

“No it’s fine, I said seven in the text. I should have been more specific.”

“More specific about…?”

“That seven doesn’t actually mean seven, you know? That it means, like, sometime after eight.”

“Oh, sorry. I didn’t know you expected me to decode your text.”

He smiles and shakes his head as he tosses a tea bag into a mug, and by now it’s like I can read his mind: He doesn’t think I should apologise for not knowing that, but it doesn’t make me feel any less stupid. 

There’s a sudden clacking on the wooden floors and Jude’s mother strides into the room jangling keys. I whip around to look at her. She’s a very young, very beautiful woman with blonde hair in a gamine style. She pauses when she sees me. “Oh hello.” 

“Mom this is my friend Evie, Evie this is my mom.” Jude says.

“Hello…. Missus Turner.” I say, because that’s how they address people’s parents on American TV, but it just seems to amuse her. She has the same loping half-smile as her son, and regards me with Jude’s eyes, which is disconcerting. It’s the exact same, sharp, steady gaze that always seems as though it’s cutting through me. “Oh, darling, it’s just Colette.” She insists, and her accent is so posh that it’s almost British. “You’re one of the girls from the Holy Faith school?”

“No, I’m actually not. I’m from Tullamore. In Offaly.” 

“Oh Offaly.” She says dully. “Very nice.”

“She’s one of my friends from holidays.” Jude clarifies. 

“Ah, you’re Shane’s sister.”

Jude slides the mug of tea in front of me and I take it immediately, grateful to have something to do with my hands. “No, um. No I’m not.”

“Ah.” She reaches for her handbag from the dining table and rifles through it impatiently. “Jude, have you seen my reading glasses? I can’t find them.”

“Did you check the office?”

“Why would they be in there?”

“I’m just asking, did you check?”

They bicker back and forth while I sip sheepishly on my tea. She seems intense, but actually, now that I think about it, sometimes Jude seems intense too. I feel a little wounded that Colette has never heard of me, because it means Jude didn’t bother to mention me. When he told her about his holidays and all the things that happened, I wasn’t in even one of his stories? It’s depressing.

She leaves the room, and I hear her opening a door, the jarring piano music suddenly amplified. “Ivy, get ready please, I want to leave in five minutes.” She shuts it again. Neither Jude nor I say anything until the footsteps have disappeared into the landing upstairs 

“They’re going to my grandmother’s house this evening.” He tells me. “They’ll stay until midnight, maybe, and then they’re coming back.”

“Oh right.”

“How’s your tea?”

“It’s lovely, thank you.” 

The room feels very large around me, and I feel like I’m Alice. I’ve drunk the potion and I keep shrinking into my environment. The smallest girl alive. Soon I’ll be a microscopic speck on these parquet floors. 

“Who’s coming tonight?” I finally say into the long silence, and Jude slumps on the counter, looking very thoughtful. “A few people. Not many you’d know. Actually, except for Jen.”

“What about Kasper and Joe?”

“Everyone got their college offers today, so some people have other plans. They’re too busy to see me off before my big voyage…”

“Oh!” I exclaim. “I never asked about your leaving cert. How were your results?”

“I was happy.” He says with infuriating vagueness.

“Yes okay but what did you get?” 

He laughs. “What’s it to you? It doesn’t matter.”

“I want to know, come on, you can’t withhold that.”

“I got enough to secure my place at university.”

“Which is?”

He rolls his eyes. “Five hundred and fifty.”

“Out of six hundred?!”

“Yes of course out of six hundred.” He chuckles. “What else?”

“That’s amazing! Congratulations.” I reach out across the counter and pull him into a hug.

“Thank you.” His cheeks have turned pink. “But if you tell anyone I’ll kill you.”

“Why, so they don’t figure out how much of a nerd you are?”

“Yeah, that’s exactly it.”

His little sister runs into the room and grabs her shoes from the mat beside the patio door. “Hello.” She says to me as she fiddles with the velcro straps. 

“Hi.” I say back. 

“Ivy, this is my friend Evie.” Jude tells her. “Evie, this is my sister Ivy. The one who was playing the terrible piano.”

“Mean.” She pouts.

“Yes, mean!” I agree. “I think you sounded great.”

“She’s lying.” Jude says, and she darts over to karate chop the air in front of his stomach a dozen times. He puts his hand on top of her head and musses up her long, fawn coloured hair . “If you want me to say you’re good then you should have just practised.”

“You should have just practised.” She mocks. 

“Do I sound like that?” Jude asks me. 

I snicker. “Yeah you do.”

He pokes her in the ribs and she squeals, racing across the room away from him. I sit back and smile to myself as he messes with her. I’m seeing a side to him that I never thought about him having. On his own he’s nearly mythical, this mysterious puzzle to solve, and here in his native environment he seems like an ordinary boy. Someone’s big brother. I imagine him growing up within these four walls, arriving when he wasn’t too much older than Ivy is now. Picturing him as a child is pulling at my heartstrings. 

I briefly meet his father too, before they leave for the night; A big American man with a loud voice who also looks altogether far too young to have an eighteen year old son, and he’s firmly uninterested in me. He doesn’t stick around to exchange pleasantries and the three of them leave about one minute after I meet him, which I don’t mind. Jude goes to have a shower after that, and he leaves me alone in the big kitchen, spinning around on the barstool and reading the spines of all the cookbooks on a shelf until he comes back downstairs. 

I help him to bring glasses and plates out to the table on the patio, and he starts unloading a shopping bag full of spirits onto the countertop. I nervously ask him if we’re going to be drinking all of that tonight, and he sarcastically replies that yes, we will be, and I personally will have to have at least two of the bottles to myself or he’ll tell everyone I’m a freak. There’s loads of food too. Oven pizzas and chips, chicken goujons, and those indian snacks you get at Marks and Spencers. I put on the oven and shovel everything in while we make idle smalltalk, never once mentioning the festival, the kissing, or the fact that by this time tomorrow, he’ll be gone, because whenever the conversation veers that way, he gets distracted by something else and we wind up changing the subject.

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[sangria-and-guinness-shenanigans]

Wednesday, January 1, 2025 | Dublin, Ireland (Part 1)

After yesterday’s terrible travel, Anna and I decided to split up for the day so we could each have a quiet day at our own pace. I slept in then took myself on a very Emma-specific musical tour of Dublin!

First up was the River Liffey, where we watched fireworks last night, which is referenced in my favorite Hozier song, “Anything But.” For the uninitiated, Hozier is a singer-songwriter from Dublin!

Next I walked along Grafton Street, where scenes from one of my favorite movies, Once (2007) were filmed.

I stopped in a pretty swanky restaurant and got a nice lunch and journaled.

After lunch I made the ultimate pilgrimage: filming locations from my all-time favorite movie, Sing Street (2016). Sing Street is made by John Carney, who is also the creative genius behind Once. It’s about boys at a Catholic school in the 1980s who start a rebellious rock band. I saw the real school, the exterior of one of the character’s houses, and a park where a pivotal conversation between the movie’s romantic leads takes place.

It was surreal to see the places in real life, and also nice to just walk around a quiet residential neighborhood as opposed to the bustling commercial areas where we’ve been here and in Madrid.

Tumblr won’t let me add more photos to this post so a second post is coming later today!

[thatware03]

How the Best SEO Company in Dublin Can Help Improve Foot Traffic to Your Store

In today’s digitally-driven world, having a physical store is no longer enough to attract customers. With a significant number of consumers searching online for local businesses before visiting them, optimizing your online presence has become a necessity. For businesses in Dublin, partnering with a professional SEO services company can help bridge the gap between online visibility and in-store visits. This blog explores how leveraging the expertise of the best SEO company in Dublin can improve your store’s foot traffic and boost overall growth.

The Significance of Local SEO for Dublin Businesses

Local SEO focuses on enhancing your business’s visibility in location-based searches, helping you attract nearby customers who are actively searching for your products or services. In Dublin, a city bustling with vibrant businesses and eager shoppers, the potential for local SEO is immense. Customers often rely on their smartphones to locate nearby stores, restaurants, and service providers. Ensuring your business ranks high in such searches can lead to a significant increase in foot traffic.

For instance, imagine a potential customer searching for “best coffee shops in Dublin” or “shoe stores near me.” If your business appears prominently in the results, there’s a high chance that the individual will choose to visit your store.

How an SEO Services Company Enhances Local Visibility

The best SEO company in Dublin brings the expertise needed to ensure your store is not only found online but also stands out among competitors. Their approach involves multiple strategies designed to attract local customers and improve the likelihood of them visiting your physical location.

One of the most critical aspects of local SEO is optimizing your Google My Business (GMB) profile. This involves ensuring that your business details, such as address, phone number, and operating hours, are accurate and up to date. In addition, incorporating high-quality images, customer reviews, and frequent posts about offers or events helps make your GMB profile more appealing to potential customers.

Keyword research is another essential aspect. SEO companies identify search terms that are commonly used by Dublin residents, such as “affordable clothes in Dublin” or “hardware shops near Dublin city center.” By strategically including these keywords in your website content, blogs, and metadata, they help your store rank higher in search results.

Crafting Locally Relevant Content to Attract Customers

Content marketing plays a pivotal role in driving local traffic. An SEO company can create engaging and informative blogs, articles, and videos tailored to your target audience in Dublin. For instance, if you own a boutique clothing store, a blog post titled “Top Winter Fashion Trends in Dublin” could attract fashion-conscious customers. Similarly, a hardware store might benefit from a guide on “DIY Home Repairs: Tools You Need from Dublin’s Top Suppliers.”

Locally relevant content positions your business as an authority in the area builds trust with potential customers, and increases the likelihood of them visiting your store in person.

The Connection Between Mobile Optimization and Foot Traffic

The majority of local searches are conducted on mobile devices, making mobile optimization crucial for businesses in Dublin. SEO experts in Dublin ensure that your website loads quickly, features a responsive design, and includes user-friendly navigation. This makes it easier for customers to access essential information about your store, such as its location and contact details, directly from their smartphones.

Mobile optimization also facilitates features like click-to-call and one-click directions, simplifying the process for customers who are ready to visit your store immediately.

Improving Your Map Visibility

Appearing on Google Maps and other navigation tools can significantly impact your store’s foot traffic. A well-optimized GMB profile ensures that your business is visible in local map searches, increasing the chances of customers finding and visiting your store. The map’s prominence in search results allows potential customers to view your location and reviews at a glance, making it a powerful tool for attracting local shoppers.

The Role of Online Reviews in Driving In-Store Visits

Customer reviews are a critical aspect of local SEO. Positive reviews enhance your reputation and influence search engine rankings. An SEO services company can implement strategies to encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews on platforms like Google, Yelp, and TripAdvisor.

For instance, if a tourist in Dublin is searching for “best bookstores,” they are more likely to visit a store with glowing reviews and detailed feedback. Responding to reviews—both positive and negative—also demonstrates your commitment to customer satisfaction, further encouraging visits.

The Economic Benefits of Local SEO for Dublin Businesses

Local SEO doesn’t just drive foot traffic—it can also lead to long-term financial benefits for businesses. By ensuring visibility in local searches, you tap into a steady stream of potential customers who are ready to purchase. For instance, when your business ranks higher in search results, it reduces your dependency on traditional advertising methods, saving you money.

In addition, local SEO can strengthen your customer retention. When customers find your business easily and have a positive experience, they are more likely to become repeat visitors. Whether it's a boutique attracting loyal shoppers or a café seeing regulars, the economic advantages of investing in professional SEO services become evident over time.

Monitoring the Impact of SEO on Foot Traffic

Tracking the effectiveness of your SEO efforts is essential to understand what’s working and where adjustments are needed. Metrics such as website traffic, the number of clicks on your phone number, and requests for driving directions provide valuable insights into customer behavior. Comparing these metrics before and after implementing SEO strategies helps determine the return on investment and identify opportunities for further improvement.

Why Choose a Dublin-Based SEO Services Company?

Partnering with the best SEO company in Dublin has distinct advantages for businesses in Dublin. These companies possess an in-depth understanding of the local market, customer preferences, and competitive landscape. Their proximity allows for regular, in-person consultations, ensuring seamless communication and tailored SEO strategy in Dublin. Moreover, their familiarity with Dublin’s unique business environment enables them to create campaigns that resonate with the local audience.

Key Considerations When Choosing an SEO Services Company

Selecting the right SEO partner is crucial for achieving your business goals. Look for a company with important SEO consulting in Dublin to work with Dublin-based businesses and deliver measurable results. Reading client testimonials and reviewing case studies can provide insights into their expertise.

Additionally, transparency is a key factor. A reliable SEO company should offer clear explanations of their strategies, regular progress reports, and open communication. They should also tailor their services to your specific business needs, avoiding one-size-fits-all approaches.

Bottom Line

Investing in local SEO is a game-changer for businesses in Dublin looking to increase foot traffic to their stores. By partnering with the best SEO company in Dublin, you can optimize your online presence, attract more customers, and stand out in a competitive market. From enhancing your GMB profile and creating locally relevant content to managing reviews and tracking results, the right SEO strategies can transform your store into a go-to destination for Dublin shoppers. With the growing importance of local search, now is the time to embrace SEO and watch your in-store visits and sales soar. Whether you’re a boutique, restaurant, or hardware store, the benefits of professional SEO services are undeniable.  ThatWare LLP is your trusted partner for SEO success in Dublin. We specialize in boosting online visibility, driving organic traffic, and achieving higher SERP rankings through tailored results-driven strategies. Whether you're a small business or a large corporation, ThatWare delivers affordable, transparent SEO solutions to maximize growth and ensure long-term ROI. Contact us now! 

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Unit 7 Blog Post

Where is Music in Nature? Where is Nature in Music?

Music and nature have always shared a close, almost symbiotic relationship. Music is already present in the natural world, whether it be the wind rustling through trees, the sound of waves breaking on a beach, or birds chirping in the morning. As nature interpreters, this link becomes a strong tool for engaging audiences and guiding them through nature in ways that words alone may not. Music has the power to generate feelings of surprise and appreciation, providing a doorway to understanding the necessity of conservation and creating a long-term link with natural environments.

Music and storytelling are more than simply forms of entertainment in many cultures; they are integral to tradition and education. Songs, dances, and poetry are utilized to pass forth information, conserve cultural history, and strengthen relationships with nature. But in Canada, we frequently divide arts and education. This can cause interpreters to focus on either entertainment or information without combining the two. However, excellent interpretation flourishes when art and education collaborate, resulting in programs that are not only informative but also emotionally moving, inspiring people to perceive nature through a new lens. Tilden's third principle of interpretation is that "interpretation is an art, which combines many arts, whether the materials presented are scientific, historical, or architectural." 

One inspirational example of music's significance in ecological interpretation is the work of musician/ acoustic biologist Ben Mirin, sometimes known as the "wildlife DJ." Mirin blends recordings of bird calls with beatboxing to create music that connects people to nature through the sounds of the creatures themselves. His work demonstrates how music may bridge the gap between humans and creatures they have never experienced in nature, providing a direct connection to wildlife. In this sense, music can be both educative and emotive, making listeners feel more involved in conservation efforts.

You can listen to his music using the link above that takes you directly to his website!

Many of us, intentionally or not, already recognize the relationship between music and nature. Consider a song that instantly takes you to a natural setting—perhaps one that reminds you of a campfire, a road trip, or a trek in the woods. These memories are frequently connected with certain landscapes or events, making music an essential component of how we recall and relate to natural environments. For example, when I was in Dublin this summer, almost every single restaurant/ pub played live music and performed John Denver's "Take Me Home, Country Roads". This immediately made me think of the rolling hills and wide roads of the English countryside, establishing a sentimental connection to nature that may inspire a greater desire to explore or conserve comparable areas.

In addition to music, we may captivate audiences by utilizing natural noises that already exist in the area. Encouragement to listen to birds, water, or wind offers a participatory experience that promotes mindfulness and awareness. Music and sound are natural languages, and as interpreters, we can teach others how to "listen" to them, resulting in a stronger feeling of location and connection.

Finally, as interpreters, we have a responsibility to both teach and inspire. By combining music with environmental interpretation, we may create emotionally charged events that encourage audiences to become environmental stewards themselves. Music in nature—and nature in music—is a powerful reminder of life's interdependence, prompting us to celebrate, defend, and love the beauty of our surroundings.