All of the buses stop here. All Dublin roads lead here. Every guide book tells you it is a must see. It seems even the river Liffey flanks it attempting to keep you from leaving easily if you try. Every young person makes plans to meet here late at night. The history of the place is palpable.
Prepare for blasphemy here.
I don’t really like Temple Bar. It pains me to say it because I love everything about Dublin and Ireland in general. I love the energy and the color and the music of the Temple Bar district. (There is live music here every night in most of the pubs.) But, I can’t stand the crowds and I don’t like the mood of the people after dark. If your wallet is going to get lifted it will be here. If you are looking to get in to a fight with some drunk American college students this is your place. I much prefer the dark pubs with local people to talk and laugh with, great hot food, traditional live music where you can actually hear it, and bars where I can actually order a pint without getting elbowed by a co-ed on their 18th birthday drinking for the first time.
I’m sorry Dublin. I am glad it is a tourist draw and I want people to keep coming and I want them to spend all their money in your city. Maybe I am just getting old… Slante.
THE Temple Bar both a bar and a district. The place to come and have fun and drink and get crazy. Or the place to avoid if you want the real Ireland.
With energy and drinking in Dublin comes live music on the street everywhere one walks…
For more of my Ireland musings please click here
Bulldog Travels / Photos By Jenny 
It used to be an enjoyable spot years ago when it was just starting to get a name, but last time I was there I was underwhelmed as well. Found it is better to look for a nice pub in a different part of the city to be honest
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I feel exactly the same. I was there in 1999 and it seemed a little more exciting and a little less drunk college person. But then again I was a lot younger then so it was probably more interesting to me. 🙂 Thanks for visiting. And thanks for the comment.
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Probably about the same as me then. I’m not adverse to a drop of something…especially while on vacation and meandering around, but beyond the pubs, there seemed like at that time there were more funky shops and things to see, but now Temple Bar only seems to be equated with the nasty drunks. I have been enjoying your Irish blogs, but felt compelled to comment on this one as I feel the same way. Cheers!
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Thanks! I’m glad you are checking in. I just read a few of your posts. As a photographer I love your theme of placing music with photos. I too have lots of songs, bands, or albums that take me back to a place or time. I look forward to what’s to come.
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Thanks so much! It was just an idea I had one time-what if a photo had its own soundtrack to it, and that was the hook I used for writing. Glad you enjoyed and when I have some time I want to check some more of your stuff out too 🙂
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Thanks! Looks like we both have some archives! 🙂
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Indeed 😉
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I don’t like it either. Locals don’t go there and there are far better places in Dublin to get a beer. 🙂
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That’s right! There are far more interesting pubs with more interesting people to talk to. Thanks for the comment.
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I haven’t been there but I know exactly what you mean and don’t feel it’s blasphemous to say it.
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You are getting wise
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Ha. Ok. We will go with that! 🙂
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Ha. Thanks for making me feel better. I rarely point out the negatives of a place but felt I needed to on this one.
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Have not been to Ireland Jenny, but I totally relate where you are coming from. Your word pictures such as “mood of the people” speak volumes. So important to listen to your gut instincts (and you will also still have your wallet) in the end.
Thank you for sharing. I always enjoy dropping in! 🙂
~Carl~
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Very glad to have you. Thanks for the comment. I really appreciate it. It makes me keep want to write and post my images.
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I agree. I am glad I went there but wouldn’t rush back!
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Perfect sentiments. One should at least walk through and see it but keep on walking through to a different pub.
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Completely agree – I don’t think I would want to be anywhere near Temple Bar after dark!!
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Nice post. Been a long long while since I went to “Doblin”.
Love the musicians you show. Cousins to my Breton ancestors.
🙂
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Yah. They had moxie!
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Wow. You just taught me a new word in english. Moxie. Ne’er heard it before. Thank you. 🙂
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It’s a great word!
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It is. Carries great strength. In spanish it would be: Tener garras. (To have claws, sort of not let go). French: Tenir bon. Hang on. (Rambling so just reminded me of Peter Gabriel’s song: Don’t give up)
🙂
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Do you have a blog? When I click on your name nothing comes up.
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I do. WP sometimes sends wrong messages. Here’s the link:
https://equinoxio21.wordpress.com/
I tackle a variety of topics. Hopefully, one or the other may catch your eye. Bienvenue. 🙂
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Followed!
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I saw that. Thank you and welcome. Do pop in at will. The light is always on. At the back. (And I’m working on a few new posts to get back up on air)
Take care
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The light is always on. That’s a great sentiment.
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Thank you. That’s how it should be in an ideal world right? The door is always open, and the light on. Make yourself(ves) at home. And at least it works in a blog. No thugs, no hurry.
Be good naw.
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You sound like a southerner now.
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Ah been ter graduate school o’er there yonder in Tuscalooser, Alabamer. Roll Tide!
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That’s awesome. Alabama huh?
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Yes Ma’am. Praise the Lord. First two weeks I couldn’t understand a word in class. And I’m bilingual English-French. But the ac-cint? Then Ah learned me Sudern. Lots of fun. so… Ye be good naw ye hear?
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Yes. But the real question is do you like Sweet Tea? How did you like the food?
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Food was fine. Southern cooking is good. Mint julep is not high on my list though. No Ma’am. 🙂
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Lots of fried food!
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I’m afraid I do like the mint julep though.
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Very nicely written, I like your style. Those first lines draw you right in. Photos are pretty cool also. I’ve never been to Dublin, keep meaning to go, never quite get there. Amsterdam…now, there’s a different story.
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You must go some day so we can compare notes!
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OK…on my list of things to do. Now all I have to do is quit my job…and go.
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Yah, no kidding. You and me both.
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I completely get what you mean! That’s how I felt with a good amount of places when I studied abroad in Brussels. Sometimes tourists just get in the way of the real essence of a place.
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For sure! I suppose it’s true too of wherever home is. Some of the places tourists go or people go for a night on the town are not even remotely my favorites. Thanks for the comment. Good to hear from you again.
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No problem! Really do enjoy reading your blog 🙂
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Thank you so much! That will keep me going!
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I’m with you, Jenny. I used to travel to Dublin on business from London, and I realized the same thing you did. I prefer “pubs with local people to talk and laugh with, great hot food, traditional live music where you can actually hear it.” Dublin is a grand place and I’m enjoying your tales. 🙂 ~Terri
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For anyone looking for a great pub in northern Dublin, try “The Hole in the Wall”, Blackhorse avenue. Open fires, good food… Nice atmosphere! Specially on a Sunday afternoon.
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Great to know! Thank you for stopping by and for the comment.
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Agreed. When I went to Temple Bar last year, I visited in the late afternoon, by that time there was still some sitting space and live music was being played. That’s the best time to visit I think, after half five your better off finding some place else
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Great point to visit earlier. It is certainly more easy to walk through. I was there a little earlier this time and it had t gotten too crazy yet.
Thanks for the follow and for the comments. I look forward to chatting with you in the future.
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Ha! This isn’t blasphemy at all… No self-respecting Dub drinks in Temple Bar. But there are some cool little boutiques and weekend food/craft markets that make a visit during the day totally worthwhile 😀
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Good point and great to know! Where do you live now?
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I’m still in Dublin… I always tell people I came here to go to college and forgot to leave afterwards! I lived in the North again for a while a couple of years ago, but I missed Dublin so much I had to move back 😃
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Awesome. I love Dublin too! I wish I had the guts to stay and live there a while.
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Yes, I suppose I was lucky to wash up here when I did… It’s so much easier to move around when you’re a student! Maybe you’ll just have to take more holidays… 😉
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