To wrap up our TravelTok creator spotlight series this month, we spoke with Sarah Hanarahan known on TikTok as @icomeundone. Based in Dublin, Sarah is known for sharing her hidden gem locations in Ireland and recommends the best places to eat and drink in Ireland. If you're lacking inspiration or ideas for things to do on the weekend , then look no further than Sarah's account!

Q: How did you develop a passion for sharing hidden gem videos, and what motivated you to share it on TikTok specifically?

A: I studied psychiatric nursing in college which was really full-on. When I qualified, I suddenly had 4 days off a week (thank you shift work!); I wanted to fill those days in a meaningful way so, I decided to really explore my home city. I went to every cultural event I could find, explored areas and spaces I’d never stood foot in before… then of course I’d want to delve into the restaurants and hidden nightlife too so I did all of that. I adored it… and my passion grew from there.

I left Ireland to backpack around the world then for two years and when I returned I was determined to explore Ireland with the same gusto that we’d had for India, Bolivia, Australia, China, Laos… any of the beautiful places we traveled during that time. This prompted me to start a website, blogging about my travels around the Emerald Isle as well as sharing weekly Dublin event guides focusing on unique one-off events; social media was the natural pivot from blogging and, here we are!

I was so excited to see the stratospheric rise of TikTok during Covid in Ireland, so I wanted to use this platform to share what a great post-Covid life could look like; what fun activities we could explore around the country, what unique events we could experience in Dublin and what incredible restaurants we could discover.

@icomeundone

📍 Le Zeitgeist Flea Market is a market happening in Phibsborough’s Kelly’s Yard on the second Sunday of each month. There are food vendours, antiques, craft, live DJs and LOADS of stylish people selling their gorgeous pre-loved clothes 👌🏼 I’ve missed the Dublin Flea Market SO much since it ceased operation a few years back so I’m delighted to stay that this market really fills that void. Such a gorgeous way to spend a Sunday; grab a coffee, have a browse, soak up the atmosphere and maybe pick up some fab new bits for your wardrobe. See ya at the next one 👋🏼😁


#dublinmarket #dublinlife #dublinexplore #lovindublin #dublintiktok #dublinvids ♬ original sound - vibey music 🎶 🕺 🪩

Q: What made you want to start exploring Ireland and documenting on TikTok?

A: I wanted to keep my passion for exploration alive and share that passion with those who want to make the most of this beautiful country. It’s incredibly fun to bring viewers along on this journey by documenting it through TikTok. I also love the raw angle that TikTok content creators harness. It feels fun and fresh.

Q:Where is your favourite date night location in Dublin?

A: You’ll be just as likely to find me on a date in the super gorgeous Sidecar cocktail bar as you would be to find me at an acoustic concert in Block T or, playing pool in Hacienda; a little house owned by a guy called Shay who’ll let you in if you ring the bell and ask nicely. I adore the variety our city offers, so I tend to try something new almost every time I go out.

Q: What are the places you think are a must-see in Ireland that are sometimes overlooked?

A: I think Listowel in North Kerry has to be one of the best towns in all of Ireland; St John’s Theatre in the heart of the town has so many incredible performances on their listings, they have a greenway that you can cycle and a brilliant Writer’s Museum and the town’s John B Keane’s pub even has another theatre hidden inside it! Listowel is one of those towns that really captures the essence of what Ireland is all about.

Q: What is your favourite TikTok you have made to date and why?

A: My favorite probably has to be a video detailing how I travel to see my parents who live on Inis Meáin, an island off the coast of Galway. I take a 6-minute flight on an 8-seater plane and there are lots of elements of the experience (like getting weighed before boarding) that really surprised people. It was a TikTok that took very little time to make but I think it’s been my highest reaching video on the app.

Q: What is the best thing about being a TikTok travel/hidden gems creator?

A: The best thing, without doubt, is hearing from people that their lives are more varied thanks to what I share. That they’ve rediscovered their passion for the city they grew up in. That feels so incredibly rewarding to me and pushes me to keep creating content.

@icomeundone 👇🏼 Save this post for your next after work adventure in Dublin 👇🏼 An idea for an affordable summer date that requires no forward planning 💭 Head to Wood Fire Cafe on Blessington Street to get some of their incredibly tasty pizza to take away (they’re widely considered to serve some of the best pizza in the city 🍕), grab some cold drinks in the newsagents on the corner and carry your bounty the short distance to Blessington Street Basin 🌱. We brought a blanket to sit in the grass at the far side of the basin but then decided the picnic tables would be a great spot to while away the warm evening ☀️. If you have kids there’s a playground at the far side of the basin and if you have a dog it’s a great date to bring them on too 🐾. Our pizzas came to €37 total including two dips (you HAVE to have garlic dip, no? 🧄); an affordable, relaxed Dublin date idea that you do any evening after work 👌🏼 Follow me for posts about the best things to do in Dublin ☘️ #lovindublin #dublindate #dublinrestaurants #dublineats ♬ BEST INTEREST - Tyler, The Creator

Q: Do you have any advice or tips for aspiring travel content creators who want to start sharing their experiences on TikTok?

A: I always say that your passion resonates so, my advice would be to focus on what truly excites you. You can be as niche as you want; once you’re enthusiastic in your content that will come through and people will be enthusiastic with you. You can focus entirely on vegan restaurants or free activities, budget getaways or sober nightlife… whatever you’re excited about, focus on creating content around that specific thing.


Q: Which other TikTok creators inspire you?

A: I love seeing Josh Naser @joshnasar coming into my feed as, in a world of seemingly endless bad news, he’s such a beacon of fun and positivity. He focuses on making the world a better place in a very achievable way. I just adore that.