Cult Irish band Bagatelle famously ‘remembered that summer in Dublin’, more recently Fáilte Ireland have been promoting Winter in Dublin.
For me in my 13 years an Irishman there were a couple of white Christmases.
And I remember one Snowmageddon and a slippy Leeson Street when I slipped and fell.
Dublin, and Ireland, in truth has never been as prepared as Northern countries for icy grips.
And the sight of Beamers (BMW( abandoned on the dualler (dual carriageway).
En route from plush rugby central Ballsbridge through to Chez Murty in Greystones, Co. Wicklow, was commonplace.
Ariel House of Fun
Of course, winter lockdowns were fortunately rare.
Welcome when it means you get put up in the work’s local hotel, the award-winning Ariel House, for the night.
Light frosting on Herbert Park, Stephen’s Green, Merrion Square and Phoenix Park make Dublin a picturesque winter city.
And I will be wallowing in The Fair City’s winter welcome on a whistlestop trip to my old stomping ground this week.
Night fever
Kicking off this month and new this year, Dublin by Night Fest is a two-day festival from November 2.
Celebrating the magic of music, arts and culture in Dublin with brass bands, buskers and circus performers to a live outdoor movie screening.
For lit lovers (guilty) The Dublin Book Festival runs from November 8-12.
While later next month The Jonathan Swift Festival will be held in the ornate St Patrick’s Cathedral.
With debates, performances and immersive tours.
Here indoors
And because it can get chilly in the winter…
You’ll no doubt visit the must-sees, The Book of Kells, Dublin Castle, the Hugh Lane Gallery, Kilmainham Gaol and ‘the Dead Zoo’ (The National Museum of Ireland’.
But a fave with locals is The Little Museum of Ireland.
This winter it is offering late night tours with a festive tipple on Thursdays, Friday’s and Saturdays through November.
While the National Gallery of Ireland, our go-to when waiting for the Scary One doing her shopping in Grafron Street is warming up for winter.
The National Gallery has after dark events including ‘Meet the Maker’, evening concerts and Spanish themed experiences.
Light up, light up
The city and many venues around it will host light events including Wonder Lights at Malahide Castle from November 10.
Wild Lights” will also return to Dublin Zoo from November 16.
And many of the events, activities and markets take place from November.
And carry all the way through December into January.
Ice, ice maybe
Which all budding ice skaters (fave family memories) in Dun Laoghaire and Blanchardstown will run well into the New Year.
So I’ll be packing my scarf in my hand luggage and taking a deep breath to inhale again the Irish air and my winter in Dublin.