Battling the Dublin Dreariness: An October Survival Guide
And as though it was never here, the Dublin sunshine has almost entirely vanished from sight. The autumnal chill has arrived, demanding we swap our suncream for scarves and our fashion-forward jackets for the ever-dependable puffer. Gone are the days of the cost-effective cans by the canal, as the seemingly incessant rainfall pushes us all into the inviting warmth of a private pub snug. Every Dubliner is familiar with the weather cycle of the city, grasping every sunny day that we can and mourning it when it eventually leaves. Nothing is as dependable as the arrival of an Irish winter. While it’s tempting to slip into that well-known seasonal slump and hibernate through the colder months in your finest fluffy socks beside a well-lit fire, Dublin, even on drearier October days, has so much to offer.
Oscariana
This month, the city is teeming with cultural offerings as some of our finest institutions join forces with the Oscariana Festival to celebrate the great works of Oscar Wilde. The three-day festival kicks off on the 16th of October, coinciding with Mr Wilde’s birthday. Enjoy storytelling and performances within the walls of Wilde’s childhood home on Merrion Square or catch a classic screen adaption such as The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945) at the Lighthouse Cinema and The Importance of Being Earnest (1952) at The Stella. The festival also has several artefacts on exhibition at Trinity College Dublin's Long Room and the Marsh's Library, and Farmleigh House in the Phoenix Park. All information about tickets and scheduled events can be found at the link below.
Bram Stoker Festival
Continuing with the literary culture that is so prolific in Dublin, the annual Bram Stoker Festival is returning to the city from October 31st to November 3rd. This is the perfect event to get into the real spirit of Halloween and celebrate an Irish literary icon. The festival offers an enormous variety of activities to enjoy, including haunted walking tours, storytelling shows, and Halloween-themed exhibitions at the GPO. Many of the events are free but ticketed, and due to the popularity of the festival, they frequently sell out, so booking is advised!
https://bramstokerfestival.com/en/page/whats-on/
A more relaxed literary alternative
But if you’re a bit more of a ‘go with the flow, can’t plan that far in advance’ kind of person, nothing beats a mosey through one of the many beautiful bookshops found scattered around the city, and made all the better if it can be done equipped with a cup of coffee and a sweet treat. Enjoy the perfect people-watching perch from the window seats in D’Olier Street’s Books Upstairs or Grafton Street’s Dubray Books. The Cake Café, tucked behind the towering stacks of second-hand books in The Last Bookshop, is the perfect place to grab some respite and hide from all the monotonous weekly errands that life demands.
Nights on the Town
Dublin nightlife has had a (reasonably) bad rap since the pandemic brought nightclubs and bars all around the country to its knees. With rising inflation and government promises of extended club opening hours that never seem to materialise, it feels increasingly difficult to find the source of a decent night on the town. Mercifully, COVID-19 failed to stifle the musical talent that this country continues to produce. With the international rise of Fontaines DC, Kneecap, Hozier and CMAT (to name but a few), Ireland has solidified itself as a musical behemoth, and it doesn’t appear to be slowing down in its production of talented musicians. Where better a place to catch your favourite artist, whether it be the best up-and-comer or a globally recognised star, than Ireland’s capital? Independent Irish record store, Spindizzy Records, located in George’s Arcade, spotlights the best and brightest of Irish and international talent, hosting monthly gigs, signings and listening parties. This month's roster includes Kettama, Searows and Just Mustard, among many others. And of course, nothing beats a gig with an enthusiastic Irish audience. The 3Olympia Theatre’s October line-up is filled to the brim with more of the island’s best: The Academic, Newdad and Somebody’s Child. Shake yourself out of that encroaching winter slump with a decent concert, and reserve some energy for the sweat-filled basements of Pawn Shop or Izakaya; they deserve our love and support too!
No Place Like Home
Alas, our energy is not a bottomless pit, so for those really slow days, stay in, invite a few friends over and host a Halloween-themed games night; both spooky video and board varieties are encouraged! If you want the fun of a cocktail but not the price tag, try a homemade jug of sangria. Saves money on the expensive spirits and is just as tasty!
The moral of the story? Don’t let the weather determine your enjoyment of the city. Dublin is what you make of it! If you’ve got a keen eye and a finger on the pulse, there is something enjoyable to be found all over the town.
Writer: Maeve Ruane Ronayne (Instagram @maeveruaneronayne)
Copyeditor: Shaunamay Martin Bohan (@f4wnfatale)
