CHRISTMAS BREAK CAN get a bit dull. Kill the boredom by ticking these off your date bucket list.
1. Take a walk in Dublin’s Winter Wonderland
Get in the mood in the lead up to Christmas by taking a stroll around the I Believe Christmas fair up at the Custom House Quarter. There’s loads of food and drink on offer and an atmosphere you can’t beat.
2. Go up the mountains
Go old school. Take some tea in a flask, lots of Insta selfies, do a little hike, and finish off with a rest in Johnny Foxes. You’ll feel so satisfied.
3. Cuddle up in the Anglers Rest
Take a bockedy drive down the Strawberry beds and set up camp in the heated terrace of the Angler’s Rest. Stroll down the road to the Strawberry Inn for a quick pint before heading home.
4. Sit outside Bruxelles with a Christmas sambo
Watch all the tourists take photos with Philo and the panicked shoppers and bargain hunters legging it down Grafton Street over a nice sandwich and a pint. If you’re lucky, you might even have your evening soundtracked by a Christmas busker. So rosemantic.
5. Take in some comedy at the International
Have a nice pint and a class International stew and head upstairs for some of the finest comedy in the city. Just prepare to be slagged a bit.
6. Go Ice skating
The best spot is Swords or Dundrum.
7. Take a cocktail class at the Teelings Distillery
Head up to Newmarket Square and take the Teelings Tour, before hitting the bar for a whiskey tasting and some cocktails. Check their Facebook page for updates on classes, which are great craic to compete against your OH in.
8. Snuggle up with a movie outside
Keep an eye on happenings at Meeting House Square over the break. They’ve previously showed the likes of Frozen and Elf on the big open screen, and it’s the perfect place to cuddle up and get cosy.
9. Take a horse and cart around the city
Only do this if you don’t mind being seen… Finish up outside St Stephen’s Green, grab a Butler’s hot chocolate and drink it in the park.
10. Taste some beers at Against the Grain
Get there early and get the window seat. Taste some of the finest craft beer in the city, with excellent views of the lights up Wexford Street. You can grab a game too, if you get bored of each other.
11. Hit the food market in Temple Bar
Wrap up warm and take in the tourist atmosphere as you sample some of the finest snacks in Dublin.
12. Grab some Dublin Bikes and hit the Phoenix park
The nearest Dublin bike station is on Heuston Bridge North, but there are stands on Parkgate street and Heuston station too if there are none to be found (they go quick). Rent out two bikes and take a tour of the Phoenix Park, with a final stop off at the dainty tearooms for a much needed snack.
13. Be kids again
Have a kids day together. By this, we mean pig out on sweets, get some form of fast food for dinner, then head to a panto of your choice and GET INTO IT. Optional activites include running amok in Smyths, going to the Zoo, feeding the ducks, all before heading home to built a blanket fort in the heat.
