When I heard that Dublin had been voted the “Second Friendliest City in the World”, I felt a little sadness for the place that had showed me one of my best New Year’s Eves ever. Sure, coming second is better than nothing, but why not first? What makes Sydney so special? Okay, maybe don’t answer that…
I have come to realise that things that are often considered second best are my favourite kind of things. Like cheese and onion pie instead of meat and potato. Like Harry Potter instead of Star Wars. Like the Cannstatter Volksfest instead of Oktoberfest.
Maybe it’s because I come from Manchester, a city often classed as second best behind London. And I now live in Amsterdam, a destination that usually falls on the second tier of many peoples’ dream European itineraries.
Just because something is classed as second best in one person’s eyes, doesn’t mean it will be in another.
I’ve visited Dublin twice so far – once for a fleeting business trip to the Google offices, one for a much more sparkly New Year weekend. And both times I’ve wondered why I hadn’t spent longer in a city that feels so like home to me. Somewhere on the water, close to gorgeous mountains and the seaside, crammed with shopping, lively bars and restaurants – all traits that make me go weak at the knees for any kind of destination.
And let’s not forget the craic. Because, even when it’s being told that it’s come second best in comparison to bigger, flashier destinations, Dublin is still there, smiling and proud, willing to laugh at itself, as you can see in the tourism board’s latest campaign for the city.
Lastly, let’s not forget the amazingly friendly people. The people, much like those in my beloved Manchester and Amsterdam, who are happy to share their city with people who appreciate it. The people who welcomed us to sit in a snug in a cosy pub on New Year’s Eve when in many other cities, people would be elbowing each other out of the way to get a drink. The people on the bus who helped us find our stop when we were lost. The people who found a table for us at a crowded restaurant, despite being so full they were run off their feet. If you come to Ireland, and Dublin in particular, for one thing, it’s the warm hospitality of the people.
I can only apologise to Dublin for not having visited more, for never writing or calling; for never saying “I Love You”, as I have with so many other places I’ve visited. But, as someone who’s spent twice as much time in Dublin as I have in Sydney, it’s clear to see which one would be deemed second best in my eyes.
This post has been sponsored by Tourism Ireland, but written by me.
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