|
Click Here to
Check Availability for Hotels in Dublin
Dublin - See & Do
Guide to Sightseeing in Dublin
History is present
everywhere you go in Dublin from the vibrant pubs and eclectic
markets to numerous cultural attractions. One of the best ways of
discovering some of the most interesting sights is to take a hop-on
hop-off sightseeing bus tour, which run every 15 minutes through the
summer.
The Dublin Pass is a good option if you intend to visit a number of
the city's sights, providing you with free access to most of the
main attractions including the Guinness Storehouse and the National
Museum of Ireland, as well as unlimited travel on Dublin's buses and
free travel from Dublin airport to the city centre with Aircoach.
Passes are available for one, two, three, and six days and can be
purchased at any of the tourist offices within the city. Rates are:
1 day: EUR29, adults; EUR17, children
2 days: EUR49, adults; EUR29, children
3 days: EUR59, adults; EUR34, children
6 days: EUR89, adults; EUR44, children
 Christ
Church Cathedral
This splendid cathedral is the main place of worship for the
Protestant Church of Ireland, although visitors from all
denominations will be attracted to Christ Church by its other claim
to fame as the oldest building in Ireland.
The structure was originally built in 1038, although the present
church dates back "only" as far as 1240.
Christchurch Place, Dublin 8.
Open: daily 09h45-17h00 (Sep-May); 09h00-18h00 (Jun-Aug).
Admission: EUR5, adults; free for children.
Tel: +353 (0)1-677-8099.
Trinity College
 In
the Long Room of the library at Trinity College Dublin is kept the
world's most beautiful illuminated manuscript surviving from the
Dark Ages. The Book of Kells, written on vellum in about 800AD,
contains the four gospels, commentary and images from the New
Testament.
If you visit during the college term it's easy to get a student to
give you a guided tour of the college and library. During summer
months the college also hosts the Dublin Experience, a multimedia
exhibit aimed at tourists.
College St, Dublin 2.
Open: Mon-Sat 09h30-17h00; Sun 09h30-16h30 (12h00-16h30
Oct-May).
Admission to the Old Library and Book of Kells: EUR8, adults;
children under 12yrs go free. Dublin Experience: EUR5, adults;
EUR4.20, children.
Tel: +353 (0)1-608-2320.
Irish Museum
of Modern Art
 Located
within an impressive 17th-century building surrounded by expansive
grounds, the Irish Museum of Modern Art is one of Ireland's foremost
institutions of modern and contemporary works. The museum's
permanent collection hosts installations, sculpture, photography and
paintings by some of Ireland's leading artists, as well as
presenting a wide range of works by big international names such as
Gilbert and George, Anish Kapoor and Damien Hirst. Regularly
changing temporary exhibitions bring new and lesser-known artists to
the collection.
Royal Hospital, Militart Rd, Kilmainham.
Open: Tue-Sat 10h00-17h30; Sun 12h00-17h30. Guided Tours of
the exhibitions are available every Wed/Fri/Sun at 14h30.
Admission: free.
Tel: +353 (0)1-612-9900.
The Writers Museum and
Dublin's Literary Heritage
In its impressive 18th-century surroundings at the end of O'Connell
Street, the Dublin Writers Museum traces the history of Dublin's
literary heritage over the last 300 years. The exhibition includes
collections of books, letters and personal effects relating to such
eminent figures as Swift, Yeats, Wilde and, of course, James Joyce,
who, for many is the embodiment of Dublin's literary wealth. A
commentary via headsets as you're wandering around the museum
provides an interesting and informative background to the articles
on display.
18 Parnell Square, Dublin 1.
Open: Mon-Sat 10h00-17h00; Sun 11h00-17h00 (Mon-Fri until
18h00 Jun-Aug).
Admission: EUR6.70, adults; EUR4.20, children.
Tel: +353 (0)1-872-2077.
Joyce fans will almost certainly also find it worthwhile to make the
short excursion out to the James Joyce Museum. Located 12km south of
Dublin along the coastal road stands the James Joyce Tower, which
now houses the museum dedicated to his life's work, and was the
setting for the first chapter of his most famous work Ulysses.
Open: Mon-Sat 10h00-13h00 & 14h00-17h00; Sun 14h00-18h00.
(Mar-Oct).All other times of the year by appointment only.
Admission: EUR6.70, adults; EUR4.20, children.
Tel: +353 (0)1-280-9265.
Dublin Castle
 Right
in the middle of the city, south of the Liffey, stands the
12th-century castle that has defined and defended the city of Dublin
throughout its history.
Only one tower remains from the original construction but within the
castle complex you can see later buildings including the Royal
Chapel, restored in 1989, the Portrait Gallery and the State
Apartments. Note that the Castle is not just a tourist attraction;
some parts are still used for State functions and may close to
visitors occasionally.
Dame St, Dublin 2.
Open: Mon-Fri 10h00-16h45, Sat-Sun 14h00-17h00.
Admission: EUR4.50, adults; EUR2, children.
Tel: +353 (0)1-677-7129.
 Guinness
Storehouse
Next door to the famous Guinness brewery at St James's Gate, the
Storehouse is the official tourist attraction and chief pilgrimage
site for lovers of the world's favourite Irish stout.
The Visitor Experience reveals the many processes and ingredients
that go into creating the perfect pint. The tour includes the
"Arthur Guinness Story" exhibition and the cooperage museum, and
even leaves time to sample the "official" best pint of Guinness
(complimentary) on the planet in the Gravity Bar afterwards while
taking in magnificent views of the city. True fans of the brew will
be sorely tested by the alluring array of merchandise in the shop
afterwards.
St James's Gate, Dublin 8.
Open: daily 09h30-17h00 (until 21h00 Jul-Aug).
Admission: EUR14, adults; EUR5, children; EUR30 family ticket
(includes 2 adults & 2 children).
Tel: +353 (0)1-408-4800.
The National
Museum
 The
National Museum houses several collections of pieces relevant to
Irish history, including some of the country's most valued
artefacts, including the Ardagh Chalice and the gorgeous and
intricate Tara Brooch. The museum also houses items from around the
world, including a very respectable Ancient Egyptian collection.
The museum occupies three locations through the city including
Kildare Street, Merrion Street and Collins Barracks. The buildings
are as interesting as the collections, distinctive Dublin
architecture modernised and innovatively lit to show the exhibits
off to best effect.
Open: Tue-Sat 10h00-17h00; Sun 14h00-17h00.
Admission: free.
Tel: +353 (0)1-677-7444.
 Kilmainham
Gaol
The Kilmainham Gaol was opened in 1796, shortly after Ireland became
a part of the United Kingdom, and closed in 1924, shortly before it
once again became independent.
The gaol played a central role in much of Ireland's modern history,
and was the scene of the incarceration - and execution - of many of
the leaders of the 1916 uprising. It remains a powerful symbol of
Ireland's struggle to win freedom from the British.
Inchicore Rd, Kilmainham, Dublin 8.
Open: Mon-Sat 09h30-16h00, Sun 10h00-17h00.
Admission: EUR5.30, adults; EUR2.10, children.
Tel: +353 (0)1-453-5984.
Phoenix Park
 Lying
just outside Dublin city centre is the verdant expanse of Phoenix
Park. At over 1,700 acres it is the largest enclosed urban park in
Europe.
The park grounds include sports pitches, a zoo, formal gardens, the
President's official residence and acres of wide open space. It also
has an important role as a bird sanctuary and reserve for native
flora. Reached via the number 10 bus from O'Connell St.
Open: The Phoenix Park visitors centre is open daily
10h00-17h30 (Apr-Oct); Wed-Sun 10h00-17h00 (Nov-Mar).
Admission: EUR2.75, adults; EUR1.25, children.
Tel: +353 (0)1-677-0095.
 The
Powerscourt Estate
Just outside Dublin, near Enniskerry Village, is situated one of the
most beautiful mansions and estates in Ireland, Powerscourt. It has
been wonderfully kept for the last 300 years or so, and the grounds
are magnificent. Attractions on offer include a massive 45 acres of
formal gardens, a 400-foot waterfall and exhibitions in the mansion
itself.
Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow.
Open: daily 09h30-17h30. (The waterfall is open 09h30-19h00)
Admission to gardens: EUR9, adults; EUR3.50, children.
Exhibition: adults EUR2.50; children EUR1.60. Waterfall:
adults, EUR4; children, EUR3.
Tel: +353 (0)1-204-6000.
Glenmacnass
Waterfall
 A
few miles up from Laragh is the Glenmacnass Waterfall. It's not as
visually dramatic as Powerscourt but you're far more likely to be on
your own here and left in peace to appreciate the simple beauty of
the falls.
Picnic at the head of the waterfall, with a superb view of the
valley stretching away into Ireland's continual green, or make your
way carefully down to the foot of the falls where you can appreciate
the natural splendour in solitude.
|
