The U2 Dublin Experience An Ireland Trip Itinerary

Visiting U2 sites in Dublin, a U2 Fan bucketlist.

A huge part (at least for me) of my first trip to Ireland included my first ever U2 concert in Dublin. This was a dream come true for me and a HUGE deal in the U2 fandom. Fans from all over the world flock to Dublin when U2 plays in their hometown. It’s like the ultimate pilgrimage.

The U2 Facebook pages were alive with posts about fans making their way to Ireland. There were U2 themed things to do all week while the band were set to take the stage at 3 Arena. Meet-Ups, fan based tours and shannanigans all over Dublin were on the mind of all who flocked to the city. As long as I was in Dublin, I was going to do as many “U2” things as I could.

So after landing Saturday morning on Irish soil and starting our Ireland experience by walking the streets of Dublin, taking in the Book Of Kells and the Old Library, we found the first U2 related thing on my list.

The Little Museum Of Dublin

The Little Museum Of Dublin is known for having a U2 room. Full of artifacts, photos, a life sized MacPhisto (one of Bono’s characters during the Zoo TV tour in the 90’s), and the front of a Tribaunt car (from the Zoo TV tour), this is a must stop for all U2 fans that come to Dublin. When we first arrived, we were the only ones in the room located upstairs. Of course I got my selfie with the MacPhisto statue and we spent a bit of time looking at everything. It certainly is a fun stop and a big part of U2’s Dublin.

That ended up being the only U2 related thing we did on our first day in Dublin. There was much more to come in the following couple of days.

Visiting Bono’s house (at least his front gate) in Killinery

I had two more things on my list of U2 related things I wanted to do. The first was to visit Bono’s house in Killinery, a short DART ride down the coast from Dublin. I had seen many a selfie from fans at his front gate, and I had to do the same.

So after breakfast we decided to check out how to use the DART train and make our way to Bono’s house. I had already been on Google maps before I left home and checked out how far of a walk it was to the house from the Dart station in Killinery. It looked close enough to walk.

We had about a 20 minute walk from the hotel to the nearest train station. Thanks to a very helpful lady (did I mention how incredibly nice the people are?) at the Clontarf Station, we got our tickets and walked to the platform to wait for the train.

The ride was awesome as the train runs along the coast. It didn’t take too long and we were at the station in Killinery. I plugged in the street name in Google navigation and it took us right up the hill to Bono’s house. There were about 10 people already camped out there across the street and some had said that Bono had just left an hour earlier and waved to the fans gathered there. I got to see my friend Fabiano, whom I had met in May in Chicago. We chatted a bit and I was able to get my pictures taken in front of Bono’s gate. I could hear dogs barking on the other side of the wall. I was so giddy! I could not believe this was happening! I seriously had to fight back tears. This was something I thought I would never experience and here I was!!

After probably about 20 minutes and multiple photos later, we started walking down the hill and back toward the station. First we decided to walk along the beach. The day was cloudy, but the temperature was in the low 50’s. I snatched up some unique looking stones from the beach and even found some sea glass! Those were going to make some great souvenirs from the day I walked along Killiney Beach.

Once we were back at the station, we had a little wait for the next train, so we grabbed a coffee from the little cafe located inside. We struck up a conversation with Eef, the owner of Cafe de la Gare, turned out to be one of the highlights of my trip. She was so fun to talk to and it turned out she is a U2 fan also! She told us some fun stories about Bono, Edge, and seeing their kids come into the station. She suggested that we stop at Dalkey, just the next stop on the way back to Dublin and stop in at Finnigan’s and have a drink. It’s a hangout of Bono’s and Bono took Michelle Obama there when she was in town visiting!

So we hopped back on the train, had our drink at Finnigan’s and by this time it was late afternoon and we were scheduled to meet my friend Eric and his wife at the Dublin U2 hangout for the week, The Church at 8:30.

Waiting for the train at Dalkey, we ran into some U2 fans from Sweden and had a lively conversation with them. I’m telling you, the U2 fans were everywhere!

We got off the train at the city center and had dinner again at Boxty House in Temple Bar. This time I had Fish and Chips! Yummy!

After dinner it was time to walk to The Church and meet Eric and Amy. I met Eric in May while waiting for U2 to come to the United Center the day of the show. He was talking to my friend Edgar. It took me a few minutes, but I recognized Eric from reading his book I’m A Fan: How I Married U2 Into My Life Without Going To The Alter. I had read Eric’s book a couple of years prior. We became friends that day and kept in touch. At the time we both knew we were headed to Dublin for the shows.

It’s funny when you meet fellow U2 fans. You share a common bond with them in your mutual adoration for this band. A few you get to know and stay in contact with. One of my favorite things, is getting to meet people. No one quite understands this whole “U2 thing” like your U2 friends. I think that’s why you can form such great friendships. You have that common ground that most people in your life do not understand.

Anyway, we had a great time sharing a few laughs and discussing our Ireland vacations. It was so great to spend some time with them!

By this time, Renee and I were beat! It was a long day, and although we just flew by the seat of our pants this day and didn’t have a set itinerary, the day was perfect. We loved the beach, it was great to meet Eef, a new friend, and damn I got to get my selfie at Bono’s gate!!!

Show day began with a U2 Taxi Tour

Monday was SHOW DAY!!! I could hardly sleep on Sunday night even as tired as I was. The excitement just was too much.

We had an excellent breakfast at a small cafe not far from our Clontarf Castle Hotel called Moloughney’s. I HIGHLY suggest it! The atmosphere was terrific and it was my first taste of a traditional Irish Breakfast! And they had gluten free options for Renee.

On the agenda for the day was taking a U2 Taxi Tour with Ed Dunne.

I was looking for a way to see the U2 sites in Dublin since they are pretty spread apart and not really walkable. Bono’s childhood home. Larry’s home was the first meeting place for the newly formed band back in 1976, Mount Temple School, where each member of the band went to school and other iconic spots like the bands studio Hanover Quay, and Croke Park.

My friend Dahna had told me about Ed Dunne who did U2 Taxi Tours for fans when they come town. Not only is Ed a die hard U2 fan from the early days, but he is hilarously funny too, full of that Irish charm! 🙂

I contacted Ed through Facebook messenger weeks before our trip and he was able to fit us in on show day.

So we met Ed at 1:00 near the Bonovox store (another classic U2 sight) and he took us around to these sights and was full of stories.

Our stops included 10 Cedarwood Road, Bono’s home until he married Ali.

Next we stopped at Larry’s home where the band famously formed in his kitchen in 1976.

We drove past Croke Park. As we drove around Ed told us many stories in between phone calls from friends either looking for tickets for the nights show, or hooking up people with extra tickets to those looking for them. It was all very exciting and great fun.

We stopped at Mount Temple Comprehensive School where the 4 band members went to school and where Larry posted that famous notice looking for others interested in forming a band.

We ended our tour with a stop at Hanover Quay Studios and the famous graffiti wall where I signed my name to make my mark as others have done.

Since it was the last tour of the day, Ed took us back to our hotel. I’ll never forget him playing my favorite U2 song Original Of The Species at top volume with us singing it while parked in the hotel parking lot!! Memories made!!

With that we had a bit of a rest before heading to 3 Arena to join the GA line for the nights concert.

Then it was time for the highlight, seeing U2 in Dublin on night 1!

We took a taxi to the arena and found the GA line. I immediately spotted Josie, whom I knew from Chicago and the founder behind Team Adam. We met a fellow fan, Lisa, who ended up hanging out with us the whole night.

We entered the arena and ended up finding our spot near the Red Zone. Lisa and I decided to get a beer in a special R cup with images of the Innocence and Experience images which were not available in Chicago. Renee kept our spot.

After getting out beer and buying our merchandise we went back to our spot only to not see Renee!The floor had filled out so much that we were moved back. We spotted Renee and she got out of the crowd and joined us.I spotted a few people I knew from social media while waiting for the band to come on. We also saw the President of Ireland take his seat!

Before we knew it, it was show time as Bono took the stage. Every time I am at a U2 concert my eyes fill with tears and this night was no exception. It was surreal to be in this place that was home to my favorite band! Of course the show was awesome from the very first song (The Blackout) to the very end and 13 (There Is A Light). Every time I would think of where I was, I was overcome with emotion.

You can read more about the Dublin show I attended and the complete setlist here.

When the last song was sung and the lights came up I still had to pinch myself to see if what I just experienced was real. When people tell you that there is nothing like seeing U2 play in Dublin, believe them! I can now say the same thing. I have had some great U2 memories, and this one was icing on the U2 cake!

After the concert was over, we left 3 Arena with the crowd and walked around the outside looking for a cab to take back to our hotel. It turned out to be one of the best days and also one of the worst during our Ireland trip. As we were walking on the sidewalk, my feet got wrapped up in a piece of shipping tape and I took a very hard fall. With a little help up, I brushed myself off but I knew I had hurt myself. My right arm hurt and my left knee was pretty scraped up. By the time we got back to the hotel, I could not pick anything up or twist my elbow. I figured nothing was broken, but I had done some damage.

Yup, this was going to put a little damper on my trip and we were only 3 days in…

Next up, we pack our bags, and begin our road trip around Ireland.

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoy my little YouTube video featuring my U2 Dublin experience!

Lori

You can read part one of my Ireland trip here.