A Spontaneous Day in Dublin

Dublin had been somewhere on my list for a while, and when I found myself with a free day, I decided to go for it. Just a short 40 minute flight from Manchester, and I was there.

In this post, I’m sharing my simple and refreshing day in Dublin. Maybe it will give you a few ideas if you’re thinking of visiting too. Or perhaps you’d like to join me on my first Dublin day trip with my Ladies Walking Group, IyH, on Wednesday 27/05/26.

I arrived early in the morning. The weather was interesting. The forecast had promised rain, but when I arrived, it actually felt quite pleasant. As the day went on, the weather kept changing every few minutes, a bit of sunshine, then light or heavy rain, then wind again. Somehow, it only added to the experience.

My first stop was Howth, a small fishing village just outside Dublin, about a 30 minute drive from the city. It’s known for its coastal walks, cliffs, and beautiful sea views, a perfect little escape from the city.

I started walking along the trail. At first, it felt quite simple, almost too quiet. But after a while, everything opened up.

Suddenly, the views became breathtaking, cliffs, open sea, soft blue water, and fresh air all around. The path was easy to follow and very well maintained.

The weather kept shifting, light rain, then sunshine, then wind, but I came prepared, and it felt refreshing rather than uncomfortable. I was so glad I made the effort to go there.

From there, I continued into the city. One place I wanted to visit was Marsh’s Library, as I had heard there is a very old handwritten manuscript connected to the Ramban from around the 15th century. I was curious to see it, but when I arrived, I was told that visits need to be booked in advance. Maybe next time.

Later, I made my way to Deli 613, the kosher deli in Dublin. I had in mind that they closed later, but when I arrived, I realised they were just about to close. Thankfully, I made it in time to get something for dinner.

Just a small note, the restaurant itself stays open later, but the deli section closes earlier, so it’s worth checking the exact opening times in advance.

From there, I went to meet a friend at the local synagogue. It’s a beautiful place, but sadly, I was told that it has been sold and will soon be replaced by residential buildings. It felt quite meaningful to be there, knowing I might be one of the last visitors before that change.

And just like that, the day came to an end.

There were still a few places I had hoped to visit, but time moved quickly, and it was already time to head back to the airport.

It was a simple day, but a refreshing one, discovering a new place, breathing different air, and experiencing a different rhythm, even just for a few hours.

Sometimes, that’s all it takes.