A DUBLIN neighbourhood has been named as one of the “world’s coolest” with rock climbing, a hot sauna village, gin distillery and brilliant restaurants.
Inchicore in the capital has ranked 25th in Time Out’s seventh annual list.
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The area appeared alongside the likes of Notre Dame du Mont in Marseille, France, which took the top spot.
And East Hollywood in Los Angeles was ranked one spot below the Dublin destination.
Time Out said: “A part of the city that’s come to perfectly represent Dublin’s unique old-school charm mixed with a very modern energy, it wasn’t long ago that Inchicore was just a suburb that you passed through on your way in or out of the city centre.
“Today, the unexpected trendiness that’s descended on the likes of Smithfield and Stoneybatter has found its way to Inchicore.
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“Magnificent ‘old man’ pubs like Cleary’s and The Glen now rub shoulders with new venues like the Stillgarden Gin Distillery and the Gravity Climbing Centre.
“And it doesn’t hurt that the neighbourhood is a prime base of operations for any visit to the Irish capital, being a short walk away from the Phoenix Park, Kilmainham Jail, Dublin Zoo and the Irish Museum of Modern Art.”
Inchicore is a small suburb located on the outskirts of Dublin‘s south side.
It’s easily reached from the city centre and is just a half an hour away from Grafton Street and O’Connell Street.
One of the top things to do in the area is to visit Stillgarden Distillery, a modern gin producer that reviewers have called “fantastic”.
They offer a whole range of activities, including gin tasting, afternoon tea, and a cocktail masterclass.
One delighted visitor took to Tripadvisor to rave about their experience.
They said: “Fantastic visit hosted by Flora who provided interesting insights into the history of gin and the gin making process.
“The three gins we tasted were all delicious and I bought a bottle of each to take home.
“Visit concluded with a tasty afternoon tea. They also have great merchandise.”
Another popular spot in the neighbourhood is Gravity Climbing Centre, a “state-of-the-art” indoor rock climbing centre.
The spot offers an introductory course for those who getting started, and has colour coded routes for all skill levels.
They have all the equipment you will need to rent or buy, and there’s a cafe on site with drinks and snacks to keep you fuelled.
One Tripadvisor user said: “Having been to lots of bouldering gyms over the last couple of years, (including Las Vegas!)
“I can confidently say that this has the best route setting i’ve come across.
“Loads of routes, really friendly people, nice clean holds and facilities, and a well stocked shop.
“I’d highly recommend for beginners and experienced climbers alike.”
Another must-see spot in the area is the recently opened Inchicore Village Sauna, complete with plunge pools.
Punters can brave plunge pools of three different temperatures – warm, tepid, and cold, for the seasoned users.
Then they can relax in a steaming hot sauna, a practice with known health benefits.
The 45-minute time slot costs €17.95 and is a fantastic way to wind down after a long week.
The organiser said: “Designed to cater to both seasoned wellness enthusiasts and newcomers alike, our sanctuary offers five distinctive sauna experiences, each crafted to provide unique benefits and an unforgettable experience.”
And there are plenty of great places to grab a bite to eat in the area.
Riggers Restaurant serves us all the best comfort food from pancakes and chicken and waffles to salads and paninis.
Or try Rascal’s Brewing Company, a popular beer and pizza joint.
The colourful spot has a relaxed vibe to it, with long canteen style tables and plenty of craft beer to choose from.
Another beloved eatery in the area is The Glen of Aherloe, locally known as simply “The Glen”.
The popular pub has a long standing reputation in Inchicore and is adored by locals for its country pub atmosphere.
It has five separate seating areas – the beer garden, the snug, the lounge, the bar, and the conservatory.
The pub doesn’t take reservations but is well worth trying for an authentic Irish atmosphere.
The top ten spots on the Time Out list are: Notre Dame du Mont, Marseille, France; Mers Sultan, Casablanca, Morocco; Pererenan, Bali, Indonesia; Seongsu-dong, Seoul, South Korea; Kerns, Portland, USA; Stokes Croft & St Paul’s, Bristol, UK; Chippendale, Sydney, Australia; Principe Real, Lisbon, Portugal;Glória, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Windsor, Melbourne, Australia.
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