Look what you made me do, in Dublin, Ireland 🇮🇪
- Nicole Koopstra
- 12 minutes ago
- 5 min read
If I had a nickel for every time I went to the Eras Tour, I'd have two nickels. Which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice.
Our final stop on our trip across the pond had to be in Ireland, just so happened that Taylor Swift was also having a visit to Dublin. We spent four unforgettable days exploring the city, taking a scenic bus tour all the way to the Cliffs of Moher and Galway, and finishing it off by seeing the Eras Tour one final time.
It truly was the perfect way to end our travels across the world.
Day One - June 27th 2024
We had a mid-day flight and landed in Dublin in the late afternoon so we didn't do much exploring. We headed to our hotel which was located just outside of the city centre and decided to have dinner down the street at The Elphin. Josh tried his first Guinness and loved it, I opted for a fruity drink.
Day Two - June 28th 2024
This morning, we woke up bright and early to head out on our first adventure: a day trip to the Cliffs of Moher, Doolin, and Galway.
Our first stop was the Cliffs of Moher, and we couldn’t believe how breathtaking the views were. We walked along the pathway and climbed the concrete steps in the opposite direction to make sure we saw every possible angle. We had just over an hour to explore before heading to Doolin for lunch. We stopped at a cozy pub packed with both locals and tourists enjoying hearty meals.
Our last stop before heading back to Dublin was Galway. Although we only had about an hour to explore, we were lucky enough to stumble upon a charming outdoor market in the city center, where we did some shopping for our family and friends. While I’m glad we made the stop, I have to admit that I found many of the locals to be a bit... shall we say, rude. It felt as though they were growing weary of tourists, which I can understand, but it did leave a bad taste in my mouth.
One exciting thing I learned while in Galway was that my Ford family name originated from Ireland! I discovered this while shopping for a magnet. The surname "Ford" was first found in Connacht (Irish: Connachta, "land of the descendants of Conn") and in County Cork, where several distinct Irish Septs came to be known by the English name Ford.
📍Cliffs of Moher
📍Lunch in Doolin
📍Galway
Day Three - June 29th 2024
Today started off as a rainy day, but we decided to make the most of it and continue with our plans. We grabbed our umbrellas and raincoats and headed out on a half-day trip to Glendalough and Wicklow. The walk through the forest was stunning, and the pebbles lining the lake made me understand why Taylor Swift mentioned Wicklow in "Sweet Nothing."
We spent some time exploring and skipping rocks before heading back to the bus. Just before we boarded, a deer unexpectedly walked up to us, casually eating grass. It was the first time I’d ever been so close to a deer, and it was a really special moment.
Next, we visited the Guinness Brewery for a tour and a pint. I’m not usually into museum tours, but this one was definitely worth it. The history of Guinness and the brewing process were fascinating. Halfway through, there was a bar with live music, and the energy was great as we watched the band play. Some fellow tourists pulled me up to dance for a bit, which was a fun surprise. We wrapped up the tour with a pint and stunning views of the city from the top of the building.
By this point, we were pretty hungry, so we headed to Brazen Head for dinner. It’s the oldest pub in Ireland, dating back to 1198. The food was delicious, and the atmosphere inside was really unique. The walls were filled with art, patches, currency and memorabilia from all different places.
After dinner, we met up with our friends, Cass and Emilie, who were also in town for the Era’s Tour. We grabbed a quick drink at a bar before heading to Whelan’s Bar for a live cover band. The bar had a nostalgic feel since it was featured in P.S. I Love You and a few other movies. We enjoyed the music and drinks before heading back to our hotel for the night.
📍Half Day Trip Glendalough & Wicklow
📍Guinness Brewery Tour
📍The Brazen Head for Dinner (Oldest Pub in Ireland 1198) 📍The Beer Temple
📍St Patrick’s Cathedral
📍Whelan’s Bar with Cass and Emillie
📍Temple Bar (Was highly recommended but we could not get in as it was packed)
Day Four - June 30th 2024
We spent our last full day in Dublin attending the Era Tour. I have to start by saying how incredibly lucky I am to have had the chance to attend twice—once with one of my best friends and once with the love of my life. Even though I can be a bit annoying at times, always wanting to play Taylor Swift in the car, Josh is the most supportive person, understanding my love for her music and always being by my side for this amazing concert.
In the morning, we got ready with Cass and Emilie in their hotel room, putting together our outfits and, of course, making a few TikToks to Taylor songs. Once we were all set, we walked to the stadium, stopping for pizza along the way.
As we crossed a bridge, we were stopped by some security on motorcycles, and a convoy of about five black SUVs with a police escort drove past. We were 90% sure it was Taylor and her team, which was such a surreal moment to experience on our walk. I was starstruck without even seeing her!
Once we arrived to the stadium we traded some bracelets, took some pictures and made our way inside. This time around I promised we didn't have to wait in line all day so we arrived about 30 minutes before doors opened. To my surprise we walked in and were basically FRONT ROW. I started to tear up and couldn't believe how close I was to the stage.
I also received so many lovely compliments about my outfit at the show! I made it myself, using a thrifted sequin t-shirt dress that I transformed into a two-piece, inspired by Taylor's Reputation bodysuit.
This time, I was really able to focus on the screens, the dancers, and how all the little details came together to make the entire show so incredible.
This trip is something I will never forget, and I feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to travel the world and follow my dreams.
The concert truly summed up the last 17 years of Taylor’s career perfectly. Each era she performed brought me back to a specific time in my life. Her music has always been there for me when I needed a smile or a good cry.
I can’t wait to see what she does next musically, and I hope to have the chance to see her again in a new country next time around.
I’ll definitely be visiting Ireland again to explore more of the country—four days was just not enough time! Until next time!
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