Irish star Dermot Kennedy started busking on the streets of Dublin and is now a platinum-selling artist, boasting a BRIT nomination and a chart-topping album.

Dublin

"When I think about my own creativity, I do think about Dublin, but also about where I grew up, in Rathcoole, which is kind of in the middle of nowhere. Nature plays a huge part in my creativity."

Rathcoole

"The Ruby Sessions [at Doyles Pub] are really amazing. Basically, you don't know who's playing every week, and sometimes Ed Sheeran shows up, and sometimes Hozier shows up. There are just surprise acts there and whoever commits to going on that night is lucky enough to see those artists."

The Ruby Sessions

"Dublin has a lot going on, but in terms of history, I'd say the museums are really beautiful. There's Trinity College [at the University of Dublin], where they have the Book of Kells, which is this ancient manuscript that is just incredible to see. It's a really great place."

Trinity College Dublin

"There's also a pub called Kehoes Pub. That’s a really important place within Dublin City."

Kehoes Pub

"The first time I ever played to people in my whole life was in The Bankers Inn, and it was a really, really cool open mic down in the basement of this pub. Your guitar isn't plugged in, there are no microphones, and you just get to play music to people."

The Bankers Bar

"There's a restaurant called The Winding Stair. That is probably my favorite and somewhere that I like going back to."

The Winding Stair