My love affair with Donuts and Beer.
In just three short weeks I will be reliving my love life with gourmet donuts and local beer. Two things you shouldn’t go without on any vacation… and if there aren’t donuts any local sweets are an acceptable substitution.
My first time in Dublin was spent around my birthday in April of 2017. I had always wanted to go to Ireland for three reasons: a. I have freckles so I must have Irish in my blood (I’m mostly Italian but as a kid I always attributed freckles to being Irish for some reason - I secretly still believe it) b. The Cliffs of Night by Beatrice Brandon and Robert W. Krepps and c. the landscape lends itself to romantic tales of old and a place where you could find pieces of your soul. Although my picturesque idea of Ireland is actually based in the western part of the country, which I’ll talk about in a later post, the Dublin area still carved a niche in my heart.
As a lover of history Dublin has SO much of it to offer from Dublin Castle to St. Patrick’s Cathedral to Glasnevin Cemetery to Trinity College to Kilmainham Goal and of course to Guinness and Temple Bar. Everywhere you turn its easy to find the rich heritage and tales of old. If you can’t find them, just stop in at any pub and the patrons, I’m sure, will give you a tale or two. The Irish are the most fun hearted people I’ve ever come across. I think it’s impossible to have a bad day with how much joking around they do and their over all concern for others. Or at least it’s impossible in my experience. However, for any reason that you do have a bad day I have the best remedy.
The Rolling Donut
The Rolling Donut is an Irish owned family business that began in 1978 after inspiration hit during a trip to London. The business first started out by trading at the local Dandelion Market, followed by running a donut concession called The Rolling Donut at concerts, shows and festivals and finally opening a little donut kiosk on O’Connell Street where it continues to make its mark 40 years later.
I happened upon this place while venturing over to the Temple Bar district. In my short three day stay in Dublin, you best believe I was there once maybe even twice a day. Donuts and morning coffee go hand in hand! There were too many to choose from to just go once especially with names like Coffee Lover, Raspberry Ripple, Molly Malone, Lemon and Poppy Seed, and Pistachio Salted Caramel (check them out here). They even have vegan friendly donuts as well. So it’s a win win for everyone. My mouth is watering just thinking about that first morning donut with coffee when my friends and I arrive in Dublin at the end of the month.
The Beer
Now remember I said I was venturing over to the Temple Bar area, so here is where my love of Irish beer appears. Temple Bar is a staple of Dublin with history going back to the early 1600’s. Regardless of the fact that you may or may not like to do “touristy” things, having a beer (and eventually some whiskey) at Temple Bar should be on your list. What better way to enjoy Irish beer than at a historic establishment. Obviously while in Ireland you’ll have to drink a Guinness (and make that stop at the factory), whether blonde or baby, drink the “beer of Ireland.”
Followed by the Guinness you should move on to Smithwick’s (pronounced without the w) red ale or Muphy’s Irish Red, Harp Lager, Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale (which was more pleasant than I thought) and Clonmel 1650. All of which you should find on tap at any bar/pub. If you have doubts about what to try, ask the bartender! My personal favorite thought would have to be Smithwick’s; Guinness is great but I’m not that much of a dark beer drinker. I always take forever to drink so by the time I get halfway it’s warm and hard to finish drinking. When they rolled out Guinness Blonde, I was a happier camper!
Of course if you are not a beer drinker, while in Ireland you should probably try some good old fashioned Irish Whiskey.
Here’s to hoping these next few weeks fly by because as you can see there are some donuts and beer calling my… our.. names. Also, I’m just excited to be celebrating our friendiversary together in a another country at the end/beginning of another year. The friends I’m traveling with I met while celebrating New Years in Berlin two years ago. Since then we’ve been able to meet up a few times within the states for some weekend warrior activity. Coincidentally we will also be meeting up with a few of my other friends that I’ve met abroad, as we’ll all be in the same place at the same time. It’s funny how travel friends work like that!
Three amigas ready for adventure.