Things to see and places to go in Dublin

Whatever you enjoy doing on holiday, you will find it in Dublin. From the typical irish pubs with live entertainment, and a vast range of cultural activities, and top class accommodation, Dublin has it all, and it is easy to see why so many visitors keep flocking back to this vibrant city.

A major urban improvement is the rejuvenation of Grafton Street as a pedestrian shopping area, with brick walkways, benches, and plants. The shops along Grafton and nearby have perked up, with smart new facades and signs. Besides sightseeing, a visitor should sample Dublin's abundant cultural offerings.

But the true focal point of Dubliners' social life is the pub, and it is there that a visitor must go to find it. Dublin can be a comfortable, "down home" place to visit, so slow down and enjoy it. It has an endearing earthiness, a quality that inspired James Joyce to refer to his native city in off-colour, though affectionate, terms as "strumpet city in the sunset" and "dear, dirty Dublin."

Central Dublin
Central Dublin is very compact. Since traffic can move slowly, by far the best way to see the city is on foot. Making full use of Dublin's splendid, sign posted Tourist Trail, the determined sightseer should set off on foot to see and experience as much of Dublin as time allows. Walk the wide Georgian squares and avenues, meander down the cobblestone lanes near the Liffey Quays, stroll through the sylvan paths of St. Stephen's Green or along bustling Grafton Street - Dublin's shoppers' paradise - and stop at Bewley's (78-79 Grafton St.) for a cup of coffee.

Merrion Square Dublin

This is the loveliest of Dublin's Georgian squares, a study in balance and elegance that evokes the graciousness of a vanished age. Note particularly the variety of fanlights on doorways. At No.1, the young Oscar Wilde lived with his celebrated parents, the surgeon Sir William Wills Wilde and poetess Speranza; No. 42 was the home of Sir Jonah Barrington, 18th-century barrister and raconteur; at No. 58 lived Daniel O'Connell, the "Liberator" who won Catholic emancipation in 1829; No. 70 was the home of tragic Sheridan Le Fanu, author of sinister tales such as Uncle Silas and Through a Glass Darkly (after his wife's death in 1858, he shut himself up there, appearing only after nightfall to walk in the shadows of Merrion Square); at No. 82 lived William Butler Yeats, poet and Nobel Prize winner. Today, the only house in the square used as a private dwelling is No. 71, where well-known coutiere Sybil Connolly has her home and studio.

The Earl of Leinster

When young Lord Kildare, Earl of Leinster, chose to build a mansion here in 1745, all of fashionable Dublin protested, for at that time the north side of the city was the fashionable side. Undaunted, he went ahead with his plan, asserting prophetically, "Where I go, fashion will follow." The house Lord Kildare built is said to resemble the White House, whose architect, James Hoban of Carlow, studied in Dublin after the completion of Leinster House. The building was purchased in the 19th Century by the Royal Dublin Society, and in 1921 the Parliament of the new Irish Free State chose the building as its meeting place. Leinster House continues to be the meeting place of the Dail (House of Representatives) and Seanad (Senate).

The National Museum Dublin

When Leinster House belonged to the Royal Dublin Society, it became the nucleus of a complex of cultural buildings - the National Gallery, the National Library, the Museum of Natural History, and the National Museum. These all are worth visiting, but the National Museum especially should not be missed. Its collection of gold objects dating from the Bronze Age to early Christian times almost is without parallel in Western Europe. No admission charge. Kildare Street Genealogical Office and Heraldic Museum -Formerly in Dublin Castle, this is the domain of Ireland's chief herald, the ideal starting point for an ancestry hunt.




St. Stephen's Green Dublin

Not far from Merrion Square lies St. Stephen:s Green, the loveliest of Dublin's many public parks. Its 22 acres contain gardens, a waterfall, and an ornamental lake. In summer, it's an excellent place to sit and watch working Dublin take its lunch; bands play on the bandstand in July and August.

Mansion House Dublin

Dublin preceded London in building a Mansion House for its lord mayor in 1715. In the Round Room, the Declaration of Irish Independence was adopted in 1919, and the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921 was signed here. The Round Room usually is open to visitors.

Trinity College Dublin

Dawson Street descends to meet Trinity College, the oldest university in Ireland, founded by Elizabeth I of England on the site of the 12th-century Monastery of All Hallows. Alumni of the college include Oliver Goldsmith, Edmund Burke, Jonathan Swift, Bishop Berkeley (pronounced Barklee) - who also lent his name to Berkeley in California - William Congreve, Thomas Moore, Sheridan Le Fanu, Oscar Wilde, and J. P. Donleavy, to name but a few. No trace of the original Elizabethan structure remains; the oldest surviving part of the college dates from 1700. The Long Room, Trinity's famous library, is the longest single-chamber library in existence. It contains a priceless collection of 800,000 volumes and 3,000 ancient manuscripts and papyri. The library's chief treasure is the Book of Kells, an 8th-Century manuscript transcription of the four gospels described as the "most beautiful book in the world."

Parliament House Dublin

Facing Trinity College is the monumental Parliament House, now the Bank of Ireland. Built in 1729 and regarded as one of the finest examples of the architecture of its period, this was the first of the great series of 18th-century public buildings in Dublin. As its name implies, it was erected to house the Irish Parliament in the century that saw the birth of Home Rule.).

Dublin Castle

Dame Street leads westward from College Green toward the 'older part of the city, where the early Viking and Norman settlers established themselves. Castles have gone up and down on the site of the present castle. A Celtic rath (a medieval earthen fort) was almost certainly followed by a wooden Viking fortress, and this in turn was supplanted by the great stone castle erected by John of England in the 13th century. The castle was for 400 years the centre of English rule in Ireland; for much of this time it had as grim a reputation as the Tower of London. Although the present building is essentially 18th century, one of the four towers that flanked the original moated castle survives as the Record Tower. The 15th-century Bedford Tower was the state prison; the Georgian State Apartments, formerly the residence of the English viceroys, were beautifully restored between 1950 and 1963 and now are used for state functions. Bedford Tower, the Chapel Royal, and the State Apartments can be visited for an admission charge.

Christ Church Cathedral Dublin

Not far from Dublin Castle, the massive shape of Christ Church Cathedral crowns the hill on which the ancient city stood. Founded in 1038 by Viking King Sitric Silkenbeard of Dublin, Christ Church was demolished in the 12th century and rebuilt by the Norman Richard Gilbert de Clare (Strongbow), who is buried within its walls. The cruciform building has been much restored through the centuries, but the beautiful pointed nave and the wonderful stonework remain virtually unchanged. These walls have witnessed many dramatic scenes in the course of Irish history. Christ Church today is the Church of Ireland (Protestant) cathedral for the diocese of Dublin. The vaulted crypt remains one of the largest in Ireland. In front of this cathedral Dubliners traditionally gather to ring in the New Year. The cathedral and crypt are open.

St. Audeon's Arch and the City Walls Dublin

The 13th-century church of St. Audeon is Dublin's oldest parish church. It was founded by early Norman settlers, who gave it the name St. Ouen, or Audeon, after the patron saint of their native Rouen. Close to the church is a flight of steps leading down to St. Audeon's Arch, the sole surviving gateway of the medieval city walls.

St. Patrick's Cathedral Dublin

Christ Church stood within the old walled city. John Comyn, one of its 12th-century archbishops, felt that while he remained under municipal jurisdiction he could not achieve the temporal power for which he thirsted. Accordingly, he left the city walls and built a fine palace within a stone's throw of Christ Church. Today St. Patrick's is the national cathedral of the Church of Ireland. By the 19th century both cathedrals were in a state of considerable disrepair. Henry Roe, a distiller, came to the aid of Christ Church, restoring it at his own expense; Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness of the famous brewing family came to the assistance of St. Patrick's - hence the saying in Dublin that "Christ Church was restored with glasses, St. Patrick's with pints!"
The early English interior of St. Patrick's is very beautiful; the nave is the longest in Ireland. The cathedral's particular fascination, however, lies in its wealth of monuments, especially the Geraldine Door, the Cork Memorial, and the monument to Dame St. Leger. The greatest interest of all, though, is in the long association with St. Patrick's of Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver's Travels and dean of the cathedral for 32 years. Within these walls he is buried, beside his loving Stella. On a slab near the entrance is carved the epitaph he composed for himself, which Yeats described as the greatest epitaph in literature: "He lies where furious indignation can no longer rend his heart." Open to visitors.
The Guinness Brewery Dublin

Founded in 1759 by Arthur Guinness with a mere £100, Guinness's today is the largest exporting stout brewery in the world. The former Guinness Hop Store, on Crane St. adjacent to the main brewery, was once the storage building for the ingredients for the world-famous dark stout, and the aroma remains. Now it is a public hall showcasing traveling displays, art shows, technological works, and contemporary arts. The visitors' center shows an audiovisual presentation about the making of the famous brew, complete with free samples. Also of note are the Guinness Museum and the Cooper's Museum.

Royal Hospital Dublin

One of Ireland's oldest public buildings, this 17th-century treasure was restored for IR£20 million and reopened in 1985 on its 300th anniversary. Originally built as a home for aged veterans, it is now Ireland's official National Centre for Culture and the Arts. Displays range from National Museum pieces to travelling art exhibitions from as far away as China. The restoration of the Grand Hall/dining room has been rated as one of Europe's finest achievements of the century. Also used for public concerts, recitals, and lectures (check the Dublin newspapers). Surrounding the building are 50 acres of grounds, including an 18th-century formal garden, a courtyard, a sculpture park, and Bully's Acre, the resting place of many 11th-century Irish chieftains.

Four Courts of Justice Dublin

Almost across the river from Guinness's lies the stately Four Courts of Justice, dating from the apogee of the 18th Century. The building was begun by Thomas Cooley and completed by James Gandon, the greatest of all the Georgian architects. Court sittings (Supreme and High) are open to the public.

St. Michan's Church Dublin

Not far from the Four Courts is St. Michan's, a 17th-century church built on the site of a 10th-Century Viking church. The 18th-century organ is said to have been played by Handel when he was in Dublin for the first public performance of "Messiah." Of more immediate interest, perhaps, is the extraordinary crypt, with its remarkable preservative atmosphere; Bodies have lain here for centuries without decomposing, and you can, if you feel so inclined, shake the hand of an 8-foot-tall Crusader!

Irish Whiskey Corner Dublin

With so many pubs on every corner of the city, it's no wonder that Irish Whiskey, like Guinness stout, is big business in Ireland. The story of the legendary liquid, known in Gaelic as uisce beatha (the water of life), is illustrated in this former distillery warehouse. One-hour tours include a short introductory audio­visual presentation, followed by a visit to an exhibition area with photography archives, distillery memorabilia, and a whiskey-making demonstration. The tour ends at a pub­style "tasting room," where visitors can sample the various brands being brewed today.

Moore Street Dublin

Near the historic General Post Office (2 blocks west of Henry Street) is Moore Street. Here, among the fruit and flower sellers, the true voice of Dublin is audible -lively, warm, voluble, speaking anEnglish that is straight Sean O'Casey.

Municipal Gallery of Modern Art Dublin

Beyond the Garden of Remembrance (a memorial to those who died for Irish freedom), on the north side of Parnell Square, is Charlemont House. Lord Charlemont, for whom the house was designed by Sir William Chambers in 1764, was a great patron of the arts; it is fitting that his house became, in recent times, the Municipal Gallery of Modern Art. The gallery should not be missed; it has an outstanding collection of Impressionist paintings, and the works of more recent artists such as Picasso, Utrillo, and Bonnard are well represented, to say nothing of such prominent Irish painters as Sir William Orpen, John B. Yeats (the poet's father), and Jack Yeats (the poet's brother).

Abbey Theatre Dublin

Alas, the original Abbey Theatre, founded by Yeats and Lady Gregory on the site of the old city morgue, is no more. In 1951, at the close of a performance of O'Casey's Plough and the Stars - a play that ends with Dublin blazing in the aftermath of rebellion - the theatre itself caught fire and was burned to the ground. The new Abbey, designed by Michael Scott - who was one of the country's foremost 20th-century architects - opened in 1966 on the site of the original building. The lobby, which can be seen daily except Sundays, contains interesting portraits of those connected with the theatre´s early successes.

Custom House Dublin

This masterpiece of Georgian architecture adorns the north bank of the Liffey, to the east of O'Connell St. It was the chef d'oeuvre of James Gandon and is one of the finest buildings of its kind in Europe. Now occupied by government offices and closed to the public, it should nonetheless be seen at close range: The carved riverheads that form the keystones of the arches and entrances are splendid.

Phoenix Park Dublin

Northwest of the city centre, this is the largest enclosed urban park in the world. Within its walls are the residences of the President of the Republic and the US Ambassador. The park covers 1,760 acres, beautifully planted with a great variety of trees. Among the attractions are the lovely People's Gardens, a herd of fallow deer the horse-race course and the Zoological Gardens. DublIn Zoo is said to be the most beautiful zoo in Europe; it also has a most impressive collection of animals and holds several records for lion breeding. The park and zoo are open daIly.

Chester Beatty Library Dublin

Founded by an Amencan-born, naturalIzed Bntlsh resident in Ireland, this library is considered to be the most valuable and representative private collection of Oriental manuscripts and miniatures in the world. The "copper millionaire with a heart of gold," Chester Beatty willed his marvellous lIbrary to the people of Dublin.

Malahide Castle Dublin

In a north city suburb of DublIn, Malahlde Castle (now open to the public), was for 8 centuries the home of the Talbots of Malahide. Magnificently furnished in mostly 18th-century style with part of the very valuable Natlonal Portrait Collection on view, it is well worth a visit. Also on display is the Fry Model Railway, one of the largest modern railway exhibits in the world, which includes 300 model trains, trams, and items of Irish railway history dating from 1834. Admission charge.

Newbridge House and Park Dublin

Built in 1740, this country mansion is full of memorabilia of the Cobbe family, including original hand-carved furniture collected through the years, portraits, memoirs, daybooks, a museum of world travels, and an extensive doll collection. Downstairs, visitors can view a kitchen and laundry room from 1760, complete with ancient implements. The wooded grounds (365 acres) have picnic areas and walking trails. Five miles north of Dublin Airport and 12 miles from the city centre, Newbridge can be comfortably combined with an excursion to nearby Malahide Castle.

The Boyne Valley Ireland

The Boyne Valley is one of Ireland's most storied and evocative sites, and it makes an easy and interesting day trip. Leave Dublin by the Navan road, passing through Dunshaughlin (which takes its name from a church founded by St. Seachnall, a companion of St. Patrick). Six miles south of Navan, signposted to the left, is the Hill of Tara. Although only some grassy mounds and earthworks recall a splendid past, it is impossible to remain unmoved by the site's history: This is Royal Tara, where the High Kings of Ireland were crowned on the Lia Fail (Stone of Destiny) before time began. And it was here, at the tribes' great triennial Feis of Tara, that laws were enacted and revised. Now, as Moore wrote in his immortal song, "No more to chiefs and ladles bnght / The harp of Tara swells / The chord alone that breaks at night / Its tale of ruin tells."

Returning to the Navan road, you will pass the striking ruins of 16th-century Athlumney Castle on the east bank of the Boyne.

Continue through Donaghmore, with its remains of a 12th-century church and a round tower. Nearby, below the Boyne Bridge, lies Log na Ri (Hollow of the King), where people once swam their herds of cattle ceremoniously across the river to protect them from the "little people" and from natural disasters.
The village of Slane lies on one of the loveliest stretches of the Boyne. There are some delightful Georgian houses, but the history of this small town goes back far beyond the 18th century.

On the hill that overlooks Slane, St. Patrick lit the paschal fire on Holy Saturday, AD 433, and drew upon himself the wrath of the high king's druids. Patrick emerged victorious from the ensuing confrontation, and Christianity began its reign in Ireland. On the slopes of the hill are the remains of an ancient earthen fort and the ruins of a 16th-century church. Apart from archaeological interest, the climb up Slane Hill is well worth the effort - rewarding the energetic with fine views across the tranquil Boyne Valley to Trim and Drogheda. Just outside the town lies the estate of Slane Castle, a 19th-century castellated mansion in which the present occupant, Lord Mountcharles, has opened a fine restaurant.

Downstream from Slane is Brugh na Boinne (the Palace of the Boyne), a vast necropolis more than 4,000 years old. Here, beneath a chain of tumuli, Kings of Ireland were laid to rest in passage graves of remarkable complexity. The tumuli of Dowth, Knowth, and Newgrange in particular are of major interest, both for theIr extent and the amazing diversity of their sculptured ornamentation. Newgrange is one of the finest passage graves in all of Western Europe, and it has been opened to the public. A permanent archaeological exhibition and guided tours are available.

Farther down the Boyne Valley is Drogheda, an ancient town that has witnessed many dramatic scenes in the course of Irish history, most of which involve the contention of Royalists and Puritans for the English throne. Oliver Cromwell burned the city to the ground during a vicious siege in the 1600s, and James II was defeated by William of Orange on July 12, 1690. Reminders of Drogheda's past Include the 13th-century St. Laurence's Gate, the only survivors of the original ten gates in this once-walled city; the ruins of 13th-century St. Mary's Abbey; the Norman motte-and-bailey of Millmount and the fine Millmount Museum; and St. Peter's Church, where the head of St. Oliver Plunkett, martyred ArchbIshop of Armagh, is enshrined.

Five miles north of Drogheda is Monasterboice, an ancient monastic settlement noteworthy for one of the most perfect high crosses in Ireland - the intricately carved 10th-century Cross of Muireadach. Southwest of Monasterboice are the impressive ruins of Mellifont Abbey. Dating from 1142, this was the first Cister­cian foundation in Ireland and heralded a whole new style of ecclesiastical architecture. Note especially the remains of the gate house and the octagonal lavabo.

With a wealth of historical and cultural sites, Dublin offers visitors the ultimate holiday experience. Dublin accommodation includes boutique hotels, guesthouses, b&bs, five star luxury hotels, romantic hotels and some incredible attractions and places to visit, and the best way to explore Dublin city and surrounding districts is to pre-book a hire car from Dublin Airport and take your time to look around. Dublin pubs are famous for their ´craik´ and you can find entertainment, live music and some of the finest guiness in the world in Grafton Street, Dublin, plus a host of fabulous restaurants and cafés.