The Argentinian bakery in the Liberties

One thing that the Liberties prides itself on in recent decades is diversity, with many nationalities and customs seen in the area. This doesn’t just apply to the people who live in or frequently visit the area, but to the local businesses too. 

While Brazilian culture is well known in Dublin, Argentinians also have a rich history in and affection for Ireland. So along with all the Brazilian shops, restaurants, and other similar businesses around, there is an emergence of Argentinian small businesses.

One of the finest examples of these Argentine-inspired businesses is Bakeology, in Meath Street near the Coombe end. This warm and welcoming bakery is known for Argentinian delicacies that you can’t find just anywhere.

For example, they have a wide range of empanadas, which are crescent shaped pastries that can be filled with almost anything you would like. They have other similar pastries, such as facturas, which are similar to croissants. If you would prefer something even sweeter, alfajores are two biscuits made into a sandwich-like dessert with dulce de leche in it.  

The clientele at Bakeology includes people from all walks of life indulging in the Argentinian goods. I was pleasantly surprised by the number of people in the bakery when I visited: I wasn’t able to speak to a worker, as they were too busy! 

Instead, I spoke to a few customers in the bakery, to ask them what attracts them to the bakery and why it is important to have something like this in the area.  

Karl Howard, who works in construction said, “I’ve been working at a site in the area for the last few weeks and I just pop in for a coffee when it suits. I’ve never tried any of the South American things, but I think it’s a brilliant thing to have in the area. ” 

I also spoke to Gustavo Varela, an Argentinian man living in Dublin city centre. “I don’t live too far from the bakery, so I go a lot. The things they have here remind me of when I was younger, which I can’t really feel anywhere else.

“I go with my friends because they love it too, it is a really good thing to be able to have in Dublin and helps a lot of people. For me, it is like I am back home, with similar foods that I used to eat all the time back in Argentina.”