Hey Cruiser! We’re off to Dublin. Yes, Ireland. Pack your PrEP, lube, and a light jacket. There are parks for cruising, saunas for sweating, and a sea to swim in to show off those Sniffies Speedos. Turns out the country that once jailed Oscar Wilde, and only decriminalised consensual same-sex activity in 1993, has become very good at this, very quickly.
Where to stay
Dublin is walkable, so staying north or south of the Liffey doesn't matter much as long as you're within the canals and wear sensible shoes. The Southside has Trinity College, Temple Bar and Grafton Street, which are mostly for tourists. Cruisers should check out the Northside of the city, around Stoneybatter or Smithfield. Both neighbourhoods are residential and a bit scruffy in the right way, full of young creatives, old locals, and people who moved there five years ago and act as if they’ve always been there. During your visit, you’ll find solid restaurants, delicious company, and a nice walk into town along the river.
Where to workout
West Wood Club on Aston Quay has a pool and a steam room. The steam room is, reportedly, very productive. If you're more focused on the actual workout, Iveagh Fitness in Christchurch offers a €20 day pass, or there are plenty of FlyeFit locations scattered around the city.
Do a lap around Phoenix Park, Europe’s largest enclosed public park. It’s right on your doorstep, and the committed Cruiser can combine their fitness and travel itinerary into a single trip. More on that later. There's also a zoo.
Where to cruise
Dublin winters are wet, and the parks don't get going until those long summer days begin to stretch out. During one of those warm days, head to the S-Bends or the Furry Glen in Phoenix Park. National hero and gay icon Roger Casement used to cruise the park too, so you’re in good company. As with any outdoor cruising, please be careful. Keep it to the daytime. No park after dark.
Low on supplies? Try Basic Instincts on Eustace St. It’ll have everything you need from lube to leather to loose men in the basement, which is a cruisey cinema. It’s busiest during the day on a Saturday. The previous owner told me it's where men who bring their wives shopping stop off for a break. Dublin's retail sector has always had a strong service economy.
If a sauna is more your thing, you’re in luck because Dublin has one. There used to be more, including the now-infamous Incognito, which has its own colorful history. These days you’ll want to check out. The Boilerhouse which has four floors and just opened a hydrotherapy pool, which might be better than actual therapy.
Sweatbox is Dublin’s longest-running dive club. A furry hub for lovers of house, techno and dick. Set over two floors, there are two tightly squeezed and well-lubricated dark rooms. The smoking terrace is where the chat and checking out happens.
Where to go
Dublin has a small scene, and the bars are all pretty close together. Panti Bar is lively, and you’ll get a flavour of Dublin’s much-admired South American community, especially on the weekends. For something slightly more sophisticated, Pennylane is directly across the street, where Panti herself can be found spinning the iPad on a Saturday. Maybe you fancy a quiet pint, the company of an older man and a video jukebox that has videos of windsurfing for some reason? Go to Bridies Bar in The George. Affectionately known locally as ‘Jurassic’. It sits inside The George, which opens late most nights.
Oscar Wilde's statue is in Merrion Square, reclining on a rock outside the house where he grew up. It’s worth the €22 to pay him a visit and get a tour of his house.
The IFI runs international and queer programming year-round. Even better during the GAZE Film Festival, when the Lighthouse Cinema in Smithfield is also running a dedicated programme. IMMA is worth the trip west if you have the afternoon to spare. If Temple Bar is your hub, grab a coffee at Indigo & Cloth, and buy yourself some nice homewares at Scout. All on Essex St East & West.
Dublin is a sea swimming city. The Forty Foot on the Southside and Bullwall on the Northside are both worth it. Cold water, friendly locals in small trunks and fresh air. Or, if you want less trunks and more hunks, try Dollymount Strand for a cruise in the dunes.