Céad Míle Fáilte, meaning “100,000 welcomes,” was the first phrase I heard upon landing in Dublin, Ireland. The Gaelic phrase felt like more than just a greeting; it became the theme for my family’s entire 10-day journey through Ireland. From numerous taxi drivers who greeted us with it as we slid in the back seat to the signs outside pubs and storefronts with those words, that phrase echoed everywhere we went. And, each time, it rang true in the most Irish of ways.

Touching down bright and early in the land of endless green, we said hello to Dublin around 7:30 a.m., bleary-eyed and buzzing with excitement. With no time to waste, we hit the ground running, eager to see all Dublin had to offer.

The day greeted us with a classic Irish welcome: a steady downpour. But no one can rain on our parade, as we were prepared with rain jackets and the warmest socks we could find.

After hopping off the airport bus in the city center, we had a short walk to our hotel. With what we can only assume was the “luck of the Irish,” our room was ready and awaiting our arrival. Early check-in? Yes, please!

We dropped our bags and quickly freshened up, beelining to the lobby café for a much-needed caffeine and croissant fix. Fueled and recharged, we ventured over to Trinity College, where we explored the Long Room of the Old Library, where rows of towering bookshelves hold centuries of stories and history. The true highlight, though? Getting up close to the legendary Book of Kells, a ninth-century manuscript that tells the story of the four gospels through bright, colorful illustrations.

Next, we wandered the streets and took in Dublin for all that it is. Making a quick detour at the colorful canopy of umbrellas on Anne’s Lane, it shone bright on the cloudy, gray day, making it nearly impossible to miss. It turned out to be the perfect spot for photos and a moment of shelter from the never-ending rain.

From there, we strolled down Grafton Street, where tourists seemed to gather and musicians entertained with their Irish twists on American singalongs. We ducked into a few shops to take shelter from the rain, indulging in some retail therapy along the way. The real highlight? The Jellycat store. My mom and I had so much fun picking out which one I should bring home. Looks like it’s the tea kettle for the win!

St. Patrick’s Cathedral was next up, and let me tell you, the views did not disappoint. With tickets available right at the door, we wandered in and grabbed an audio tour to guide us through the history of the cathedral. We stumbled upon a Tree of Remembrance, where visitors can write a message to a loved one and hang it on the tree for eternal remembrance.

After realizing we hadn’t eaten since breakfast, we decided it was time for a hearty, traditional Irish meal, complemented by a fresh pint of Guinness. Committed to our plan, we indulged in just that at Dublin’s oldest pub, The Brazen Head.

Enjoying a few pints on the outdoor patio after dinner, it wasn’t long until a few locals pulled me into an Irish jig competition with their friends. (Let’s just say I took home the winner’s title.)

We wrapped up the night hopping between a few cozy pubs, chatting with friendly locals and singing along to whatever tune was captivating the crowd. At every stop we found ourselves fully immersed in the heart of Irish culture, undeniably present in each place we visited. This only fueled our excitement for the next leg of our journey — exploring towns like Galway and Cork.

As we strolled back to our hotel, the city’s beauty was impossible to ignore. That, and the fact the sun lingers in the sky until nearly 11 p.m. The day had been long, but every moment was packed with fun and new experiences. I couldn’t ask for anything better.

Stay tuned for more of my Ireland journey — this was only Day One!

— Emily Gladu, administrative & events coordinator