Dublin, Ireland — Where to Go
Dublin Sightseeing Overview
Dublin might not be one of Europe's most visually stunning cities, but what it lacks in aesthetics it more than makes up for with attractions. Most of Dublin’s sightseeing hotspots are located south of the River Liffey, in a district of gracious Georgian mansions and leafy avenues around Grafton Street and elegant St Stephen's Green.
When it comes to Dublin’s history, scholars always fail to agree on exactly when Dublin was first settled, but it was probably long before the Gaels came to these lands. By the ninth century, the Vikings had established themselves, though the Irish (drawn mainly from Celtic stock) managed to usurp them by the 11th-century. The English proved a much more resilient foe, first meddling in Irish affairs then (under Oliver Cromwell) taking control of the city in 1649.
Although Dublin grew rapidly and prospered economically through the British Empire, desires for independence never dimmed and in 1916 the Easter Rising paved the way for a separation from London.
Today Dublin is the capital of a confident member country of the European Union and is very much at the forefront of Irish affairs.
Dublin Tourist Information
Dublin Tourism Center
Suffolk Street
Tel: (01) 605 7700.
Website: www.visitdublin.com
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 0900-1900, Sun 1030-1500 (Jul-Aug); Mon-Sat 0900-1730, Sun 1030-1500. Closed 25-26 Dec, 1 Jan.
There are additional tourist information offices located at Dublin Airport, open daily 0800 to 2200, Dún Laoghaire Harbour, open Monday to Saturday 0930 to 1315 and 1430 to 1700, and 14 Upper O'Connell Street, open Monday to Saturday 0900 to 1700. None of the above offices can be contacted directly by telephone.
Dublin Sightseeing
The Dublin Pass provides free, fast-track entry to over 30 attractions, a comprehensive guidebook and many special shopping, service and restaurant offers in one complete package, including transport from Dublin airport. It is available as a one-, two-, three- or six-day pass and can be purchased online at www.dublinpass.ie or at any of the city's tourist information offices.
Dublin Sightseeing
The Dublin Pass provides free, fast-track entry to over 30 attractions, a comprehensive guidebook and many special shopping, service and restaurant offers in one complete package, including transport from Dublin airport. It is available as a one-, two-, three- or six-day pass and can be purchased online at www.dublinpass.ie or at any of the city's tourist information offices.
Key Attractions in Dublin, Ireland
Trinity College
Visitors can drift through the college among the numerous artistic ghosts in one of the world's most famous centers of learning. Jonathan Swift, Bram Stoker, Oscar Wilde, Samuel Beckett and many other seminal thinkers and writers studied at Ireland's oldest university, which was founded in 1592. Its main attraction is the Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript dating from around AD800, which is displayed in the magnificent Old Library.
College Street
Tel: (01) 896 1000.
Website: www.tcd.ie
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 0930-1700, Sun 0930-1630 (May-Sep); Mon-Sat 0930-1700, Sun 1200-1630 (Oct-Apr).
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: Y.
National Museum of Ireland
Among this rich collection of Irish antiquities, dating from 7000BC to the modern day, are the eighth-century Ardagh Chalice and Tara Brooch and the 12th-century Cross of Cong. Ór (Ireland's gold) features the finest collection of prehistoric gold artifacts in Europe. There are also major exhibitions on prehistoric Ireland, Viking Ireland, medieval Ireland and Irish history from 1900 to 1921. This is just one of three venues for the National Museum, with further collections on view at Collins Barracks (Decorative Art and History) and Merrion Street (Natural History).
Kildare Street
Tel: (01) 677 7444.
Website: www.museum.ie
Opening hours: Tues-Sat 1000-1700, Sun 1400-1700.
Admission charge: N.
Disabled access: Y.
National Gallery of Ireland
This impressive collection incorporates some 2,500 paintings, as well as watercolors, drawings, prints and sculpture. Although Irish painting holds pride of place, all major European schools of painting are well represented. The award-winning Millennium Wing, a modern architectural masterpiece, showcases Irish art in the first half of the 20th century and houses a sculpture gallery and temporary exhibitions.
Merrion Square West and Clare Street
Tel: (01) 661 5133.
Website: www.nationalgallery.ie
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 0930-1730 (until 2030 Thurs), Sun 1200-1730.
Admission charge: N.
Disabled access: Y.
Christ Church Cathedral
Richard de Clare 'Strongbow' (the Earl of Pembroke) founded Christ Church Cathedral on the site of a Viking church in 1172. Highlights include the 'leaning wall of Dublin', the north nave wall, which has leaned 46cm (18 inches) since 1562 (when the roof collapsed), a mummified cat and mouse found in an organ pipe, the heart of St Laurence, the patron saint of Dublin, and a large crypt full of unusual relics.
Christchurch Place
Tel: (01) 677 8099.
Website: www.cccdub.ie
Opening hours: Daily 0900-1800 (Jun-Aug); 0945-1700 or 1800 (Sep-May).
Admission charge: Y.
Dublin Writers Museum
First editions, letters, portraits and memorabilia of Swift, Sheridan, Shaw, Wilde, Yeats, Joyce, Beckett and Behan fill this fascinating museum, set in a spectacular Georgian mansion. There is also a room devoted to children's literature.
18-19 Parnell Square North
Tel: (01) 872 2077.
Website: www.writersmuseum.com
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 1000-1700, Sun 1100-1700.
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: N.
Dublin Castle
Dating from Norman times, the palatial Dublin Castle was originally built on the orders of King John, in 1204. The largest visible remaining fragment of the original 13th-century castle is the Record Tower. It stands beside the 19th-century gothic revival Chapel Royal. Recently uncovered excavations of Viking fortifications can be viewed at the undercroft. Admission is by guided tour only. Tours run every 20 to 30 minutes.
Dame Street
Tel: (01) 645 8813.
Website: www.dublincastle.ie
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 1000-1645, Sat & Sun 1400-1645.
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled visitors: Y.
Further Distractions
Phoenix Park
Europe's biggest city park boasts more than 707 hectares (1,752 acres) of wilderness and landscaped gardens. Phoenix Park, Dublin's most famed park, is located on the western edge of the city and originally served as a royal deer park in the 17th century. Today, the Irish president and the US ambassador to Ireland have residences within it. Dubliners enjoy its 12 hectares (30 acres) of landscaped gardens with ornamental lakes, nature trails and grassland. The old duelling ground, Fifteen Acres, is now a popular venue for sport while Nine Acres is home to the Irish Polo Club. The park also houses Dublin Zoo - home to over 700 animals and tropical birds.
Dublin Zoo
Phoenix Park
Tel: (01) 474 8900.
Website: www.dublinzoo.ie
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 0930-1800, Sun 1030-1800 (summer); Mon-Sat 0930-1600, Sun 1030-1600 (winter).
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: Y.
Guinness Storehouse
The world's largest single beer-exporting company began in 1759, when Arthur Guinness brewed the first Guinness. The brewery itself is not open to visitors but a visit to this state-of-the-art museum, housed in a converted warehouse and shaped like a mighty pint glass, tells the visitor everything they ever wanted to know about the famous stout. The tour culminates, of course, with a free pint of the legendary black stuff.
St James's Gate
Tel: (01) 408 4800.
Website: www.guinness-storehouse.com
Opening hours: Daily 0930-1700 (open until 1900 Jul and Aug).
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: Y.
