A few years ago, I spent two summers in Dublin and thought I knew the best the city had to offer. But this year, I sought out new sights and fell for the city all over again. There are many ways to fall in love with Dublin. Here are my top 10 suggestions.

1. Get felt up at Copper Face Jacks
The biggest meat market in Dublin, Copper’s is known as the place to go for a wild night or a random hook up. When I went, a guy circled the dance floor in a wheelchair tripping girls as he went. They would land in his lap and he would quickly steal a kiss. Try walking five feet through a crowd without a dozen hands reaching out to grab you. Impossible.

2. Get thrown out of the dancing chipper
Ok, it’s not called the dancing chipper. I have no idea what it’s called but follow the herd as they exit Copper’s, and you’ll find it. Make sure to stuff your face with curry cheese chips, Ireland’s equivalent of poutine, and dance on the tables. Just a heads up: There is a bouncer and they don’t like when you dance on the tables for too long, or throw food.

3. Catch a Gaelic football match at Croke Park
The stadium is equal parts storied and spirited, like much of Ireland. It was the scene of Bloody Sunday, a massacre by British forces, and some Irish, in 1920. Troops entered the grounds and shot indiscriminately at the crowd, killing 14. It was a retaliation for the assassination of 14 British intelligence officers earlier that day.  Aside from the eerie history, the stadium is a lively spot. I saw Dublin win against Wexford. I wasn’t really sure what was happening but I shouted with the rest of the crowd and had a deep appreciation for the hotness of the players.

4. Drink a pint with the Prime Minister
I can’t imagine having a pint with Stephen Harper. But Enda Kenny, Ireland’s newly elected Taoiseach, or Prime Minister if you don’t speak Irish, seemed at ease in a room full of people downing drinks. There was a particular haste to the imbibing as the open bar lasted only two hours. Kenny charmed us and told us about his plans to strengthen Canadian-Irish relations.

5. Go yachting, and celebrity stalking, in Dun Laoghaire
The seaside town nestled at the foot of the Dublin Mountains is pronounced Dun Leery. It’s the scene of Ireland’s biggest Yacht Club. We hitched a ride with Bref Kennedy and Aaron O Grady of GoSailing on their 54-foot yacht. The two warm sailors took us around the scenic coast and pointed out Bono and Enya’s homes. They also regaled us with local tales: The economic downturn’s effect on some of the richest people in the country, who paid what for their homes only to lose millions a few months later, and what famous director is suing their architect because their home is constantly flooding with the tide. Just when we thought the sailing trip couldn’t get any better, the wind died as we came near a nude beach. Unfortunately the zoom on my camera wasn’t quite powerful enough to properly get my perv on.

6. Relax in Saint Stephen’s Green.
In need of a nature break to punctuate the late night and daydrinking, we wandered into Saint Stephen’s Green park in downtown Dublin and took a few deep breaths. As we watched male pigeons chasing female in circles, flapping their feathers, I drew serious parallels between the park and the pub.

7. Re-stock your wardrobe at Penneys
I have contemplated trips to Ireland just for the chance to pillage the racks in Penneys. The clothes fall apart after a few months but they’re the ultimate in cheap chic. This time I didn’t do a total re-stock but I scored a dress, two tops and five pairs of undies for 25 Euro.

8. Glam it up up for the Gaiety theatre.
Riverdance was playing in the stunning theatre and it surpassed my wildest expectations. Granted they were low to start, I thought the show seamed cheesy at best. But the music  was lively and inspiring, the kind that makes you want to dance in your seat. And the performers were the kind that make you wish you hadn’t made your mom switch you out of Irish dance classes and into karate. I have never seen so many beautiful girls in one place in Ireland. If the country is better known for it’s strapping lads than lassies, it’s because they’re all hiding in the Gaiety theatre, performing Riverdance.

9. Drop in for a spot of tea at Queen of Tarts
When you visit homes in Ireland’s countryside you will drink at least two cups of tea for every house you visit. I know this from marathon missions to visit second and third cousins with my mom. Queen of Tarts gives you the same warm Irish country feeling in the middle of the city with the addition of delicious treats.

10. Drink Guinness on top of the town.
I skipped the brewery tour and went straight to the Gravity bar, on the building’s top floor. Maybe that’s the Irish influence. The glass walled, circular bar is the best view in the city. As I sipped…ok chugged the dry stout, I walked around the circular bar looking at places I had been, Croke Park at one end of the city and Dun Laoghaire at the other, with all of the pubs strewn somewhere in between. Maybe it was the effect of the Guinness or how the bright afternoon sun highlighted the city but with every sip and step I fell even more deeply in love with Dublin.

Getting there
Thanks to Air Canada, the trip got off to a fantastic start. Call this blogger biased. I fell for the Air Canada Maple Leaf lounge at Pearson.

No more squatting on a dusty floor in order to charge my laptop while paying $15 for a gag-worthy sandwich.

Stepping inside the Air Canada lounge is like stepping back in time, to an era when you dressed up to fly: Plush armchairs, a huge magazine collection and a seemingly endless supply of food and drinks.

They even had celery salt rimmed glasses and all the essential Caesar accoutrements. But the highlight were the showers. That’s right, I took a shower at Pearson airport.

Staying there
The Stay Dublin apartments are peppered around the downtown core. I opted for the St.Augustine, a 10 minute walk from Temple Bar. The cobble stoned area is at the heart of Dublin’s nightlife, known for it’s high pub density and talented street musicians.

They’re spacious and affordable. At just more than 100 Euro per night, you get a two bedroom apartment with a pull out couch. We had seven people comfortably staying with us at the peak of the weekend.

You have your own kitchen and living room… perfect for hosting your own pre-drink.

~ Morgan Dunlop