For a weekend full of Stadium Roars and Perfect Pours, a buddy and I headed to Dublin, Ireland for a Six Nations match between Ireland and Italy. Dublin wasted no time making an impression. For my rugby-loving friend John and me, it did so in the form of a perfectly poured pint of Guinness as soon as we arrive at the Dublin airport.
That first pint, photographed and sent home to our supportive wives, set the tone for a weekend that would blend sport, history, and Ireland’s legendary pub culture into an unforgettable city break.
After checking into our Airbnb, we took the advice of our taxi driver and headed to The Oval Bar for dinner, easing ourselves into Dublin life with a few pints and a relaxed evening. Later, we wandered through the lively Temple Bar district, stopping into The Auld Dubliner and the iconic Temple Bar Pub before calling it a night and resting up for a packed few days ahead.
Guinness, History, and EXPLORING DUBLIN
Friday began with a classic Irish breakfast – hearty, comforting, and exactly what was needed before a leisurely walk to the Guinness Storehouse. The self-guided tour took us floor by floor through the history, craftsmanship, and cultural impact of Ireland’s most famous export. Highlights included learning the art of pouring the perfect pint, and enjoying a Guinness at the Gravity Bar, where sweeping 360-degree views of Dublin stretched all the way to the Wicklow Mountains.
From here, we continued the theme with a pub lunch at Arthur’s Pub before meeting up with our walking tour group. The two-hour historical tour wove through the city’s streets and stories, blending Irish history with folklore. Tales of Fionn MacCumhaill (Finn McCool) and the Salmon of Knowledge brought the past vividly to life.
By late afternoon, we met up with some fellow travelers from London for a pre-dinner pint before heading to The Old Storehouse for a Guinness beef stew. The night wrapped up with live traditional music back at The Auld Dubliner—fiddles, guitars, and plenty of laughs. Exactly what you hope for in a Dublin pub.
Game Day: From Aviva Stadium to Croke Park
Saturday was all about sport. We made our way toward Aviva Stadium, stopping at Kennedy’s Pub for lunch and a few pints, alongside a growing sea of fans. A great friend helped us get tickets to the Six Nations Rugby match between Ireland and Italy. Inside the stadium, our seats—just ten rows up from the pitch—offered an excellent view, as the crowd’s energy built with every play. A great match, with Ireland winning 20 – 13.
Ready for more sports, we jumped in a taxi and headed north to Croke Park for a Gaelic football match. We’d looked up the rules beforehand, but seeing it live was something else entirely. The speed, the skill, the constant scoring—it’s chaotic in the best possible way, and you quickly realize how deeply the GAA is woven into Irish life.
That evening, we wound down at The Cobblestone, renowned for its traditional music. Back at the Airbnb, we packed our bags and laughed at how much we’d fit into one weekend.
One last irish Breakfast—and Plans to Return
Sunday began with one final Irish breakfast before heading back to the airport. As we boarded the flight home, we started planning the next trip—another rugby match, maybe, or just an excuse for another weekend of good sport and great pints.
Dublin delivered exactly what we’d hoped for: top-class sport, proper history, welcoming people, and no shortage of Guinness.
So until next time, Dublin! After all, I am already planning the next trip. As a matter of fact, there’s the whole island of Ireland to explore!
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