Jessica Colley: Jessica Colley is a poet, freelance travel writer, and devoted foodie. She currently spends 10 months a year exploring the culture, cuisine, and history of Europe. She lives in Dublin, Ireland when she isn't on assignment. Contact Jessica through her website: greatamericantraveldream@gmail.com. Follow Jessica on Twitter at @jessicacolley

Dublin Restaurant Report: Chez Max

When I first moved to Dublin in 2007, friends who were also interested in food always asked me, ‘have you been to Chez Max yet?’ This French brasserie is located just outside of Dublin Castle, and for some reason, it always went under my radar when I was planning a night out. Then, they opened another brasserie, also called Chez Max, on Baggot Street near my apartment. I walk by this restaurant almost every day on my walk into town, and the chalkboard is full of temptations. One night...

April 10th, 2010 | Dublin | Read More

Running Low on Euros? FREE Attractions in Dublin

If you’re light on cash at the end of a trip to Dublin – don’t hit the ATM again just yet. There are a few free attractions in Dublin that will see you through your vacation without breaking the bank. Some are in the center of the city while others will lure you away from familiar territory and into neighborhoods you might not have otherwise explored. Dublin is an expensive city, but luckily, the Irish value their art, history, and literature and think it should be free and available...

April 9th, 2010 | Dublin | Read More

Spring Bloom: Best Parks in Dublin

First it was the ‘snowdrops’, then the bluebells, the crocuses, and finally – the daffodils. Spring has arrived in Dublin and you don’t need to head out to the countryside to enjoy the brights colors and flowers of the season. Dublin is a city full of parks – some well known, while others are hidden. Picnics are a budget travelers best friend, so if you’re looking to keep the cost down on a trip to Dublin, pack up some Irish cheeses, smoked salmon, and a loaf of brown soda bread and head...

April 8th, 2010 | Dublin | Read More

Attention Book Lovers: Best Shops in Dublin

The literary heritage of Dublin is everywhere you look in the city: bridges are named after playwrights, statues are not only of war heroes but also of poets, and many museums and exhibits are centered on the work of Irish writers. Any trip to Dublin must also include a stop at some bookstores and markets that will allow you to delve into new Irish authors you may not have heard of on the other side of the pond. While there are some beautiful large bookshops in the center of the city (my favorite...

April 4th, 2010 | Dublin | Read More

Rainy Day in Dublin? 5 Cozy Cafes

If I wake up and look out my window, and there are blue skies as far as the eye can see, I always pack my umbrella. That’s just part of Dublin weather – clouds sweep in from the west and just as quickly can be gone out to sea. If you forget your umbrella, a sudden burst of rain can leave you uncomfortable and drenched for the day – unless you find a cozy place for a coffee and a sweet pick me up. Here are my favorite places to grab a table by the window, and watch the rain pass while keeping...

April 3rd, 2010 | Dublin | Read More

Dublin Splurge: 5-Star Hotels

Dublin is a great city to blow your budget. Gourmet restaurants, theater, concerts, wine bars, spas, and luxury hotels are all temptations during any visit to the Irish capital. I must say, in my experience, Dublin 5-star hotels are really something special – and worth the price tag. For a 5-star vacation, I’d recommend a few days in the city and a few days in the country. The west of Ireland is full of wild landscapes, cliffs, and 5-star castles that all lure travelers away from Dublin....

April 2nd, 2010 | Dublin | Read More

Guide to Vintage Shopping in Dublin

Dublin has a reputation for being an expensive city, and in some ways, this reputation is well-deserved. It is easy to pay premium prices on hotels, restaurants, and even a coffee in the Irish capital. Shopping is no exception to the rule – which makes vintage shopping a girl’s best friend. Here’s an overview to the vintage stores in the center of Dublin. Even if you aren’t in the market for anything – these stores have racks of scarves, vintage handbags, dresses, cashmere...

March 29th, 2010 | Dublin | Read More

Cheap Transport! Dublin Bikes

What better way to explore a new city than from a bicycle? In the past, renting bikes has been expensive and difficult to find. A new initiative in Dublin premiered in September 2009 and has provided bike stations in 40 locations throughout the center of the city. Say goodbye to expensive taxis and hop on your own Dublin Bike. It is worth investigating the online map before taking your first Dublin bike. Credit cards are required for visitors and only will be charged if you fail to return the bike....

March 28th, 2010 | Dublin | Read More

Dublin Restaurant Week Report

Is it overkill to go out for a 3-course meal every night for a week? If my wallet and calories weren’t a consideration I’d be there in a heartbeat – but this time around – I made just one reservation for Dublin’s Restaurant Week. My 30 euro / 3 course experience at Fallon & Byrne far exceeded expectations. The upstairs dining room was elegant and the service was top notch. Our meal began with slices of fresh-baked tomato and fennel bread – a delicious start....

March 26th, 2010 | Dublin | Read More

Dublin Restaurant Week is Back!

Who can argue with a 3-course meal for a fixed price? The formula for restaurant week guarantees success for everybody involved – and ‘Dine in Dublin’ is no exception. Twice a year some of the most interesting restaurants in town create a 25 or 30 euro dinner menu that draws big crowds. Last March I took a 9.30pm reservation on a Tuesday just to try the discounted menu at Marco Pierre White’s Steakhouse. Each March and again in the fall, a new list of restaurants is published...

March 24th, 2010 | Dublin | Read More

Music In Pubs and Beyond

The sounds of Ireland are almost just as important as the sights. During any trip to Ireland – try and squeeze in some music to your itinerary. Tonight, I’m going to the National Concert Hall. Many visitors don’t even think about getting tickets because they hear ‘symphony’ and think ‘expensive’. There are expensive tickets to the NCH – but there are some affordable ones as well. Some of the best tickets in the house (in my opinion) are in the choir...

March 22nd, 2010 | Dublin | Read More

Escape the City: Hiking in County Wicklow

One of the best parts of living in Dublin is the ability to be outside of the city and deep into the countryside within 30 minutes. In just half an hour, the traffic lights and city buses are replaced with green rolling hills and small villages. On a sunny Sunday morning I thought it would be a great day to get in the car and explore Wicklow. Our destination was Sally Gap, a scenic mountain pass deep in the Wicklow Mountains (map). February and March are a great time to do this drive because it coincides...

March 22nd, 2010 | Dublin | Read More

Peruse WB Yeats’ Notebooks at the National Library

‘Now and in time to be, Wherever green is worn, Are changed, changed utterly: A terrible beauty is born.’ - WB Yeats from ‘Easter 1916′ As a poet living in Dublin, it should be very surprising that only last weekend did I make it to the National Library for the first time. This may be because they extended their Saturday opening hours from an insufficient 9am – 1pm to the fantastic 9am – 4pm – or it may be because there is just so many other things to do...

March 19th, 2010 | Dublin | Read More

The Best Pints of Guinness in Dublin

Not all pints are created equal in Dublin. After drinking a few pints of Ireland’s famous stout in pubs across the city – I realized that some pubs simply pour a better pint than others. So what makes the perfect pint? First of all – the bartender needs to allow proper time to pour your pint. Unlike other types of beer, Guinness requires time to settle. A trip to the Guinness Storehouse will teach you that it takes almost 3 full minutes for a perfect pint. When you’re standing...

March 17th, 2010 | Dublin | Read More

St Patrick’s Day Festival

Where else but Dublin would the St Patrick’s Day celebrations go on for days? The St Patrick’s Festival in the capital city is on from 12 – 17 March this year. Anticipation for the big day has been growing since the weekend – with events for family, comedy, music, and even film. All the festivities will commence on Wednesday as the parade winds its way through the city center. And the weathermen are even forecasting sunshine. Dubliners take their costumes seriously, and shamrocks...

March 15th, 2010 | Dublin | Read More

Game Day in Dublin

An Irish friend recently told me that the only thing that gets him through the last couple months of winter is the 6 Nations Rugby Tournament. Today is Game Day in Dublin – Ireland are playing Wales. Last year, Ireland defeated Wales in the last moments of the game to become 6 Nations Champions. While the game today doesn’t have the same stakes, I’d say the Welsh are eager to for a little bit of revenge for the 2009 season. The match today is being played at Croke Park, a massive...

March 13th, 2010 | Dublin | Read More

Gourmet Grub: A Literary Landmark and Restaurant

Ha'Penny Bridge, River Liffey, Dublin Where to begin blogging about Dublin? I debated writing about the best live music, the best pint of Guinness, and where to find a good cup of coffee (no small task!) But after careful consideration I thought I should start with a literary landmark that has recently been transformed into a gourmet restaurant. The Michelin Guide agrees with Dublin residents who have praised The Winding Stair as one of the best places for authentic, yet gourmet Irish food. What...

March 12th, 2010 | Dublin | Read More

New Dublin Local Expert!

Clonmacnoise Abbey, County Offaly, Ireland What is it about the Irish? Even after living in Dublin for two years – it is difficult to answer this question. Is it their charm? A welcoming nature? A focus on music, laughter, and good craic? The way they still smile even when the sun doesn’t shine (literally!) for weeks? It is all of these things and more that draws travelers to Ireland. In this blog, I will share my past and present discoveries of the bustling ‘large village’ I call home. My...

March 10th, 2010 | Dublin | Read More