For a real buzz pay a visit to the Temple Bar
district - there are numerous pubs, restaurants, cafés,
shops, even small art galleries. This is where the night scene
is hot with people spilling out of every pub, many of which
have live music. In the evening the narrow streets in Temple
Bar are crowded.
It’s a only a wee stroll from Temple Bar to Dame Street
also on the south of the river At Dame Street you’ll
find Dublin Castle and you can enter this
beautifully restored building and visit the magnificent State
Apartments. Nearby is Trinity College, home to the Book of
Kells, while Grafton Street (pedestrianised) is full of shops
and jammed with tourists, artists and buskers.
Dublin is full of life. There are an amazing
number of places to eat and drink, pub life is a major part
of the local culture and the city throbs with history. So
if you want a culture trip or some serious nightlife, Dublin
is the place to be.
Christ Church Cathedral
Lord Edward Street, Dublin 2
Telephone - +353 1677 8099
Opening hours are from 10 am - 5:30 pm
Christ Church Cathedral was first built around 1000 in the
early days of the city.
Trinity College and Old Library
Fellows Square, Trinity College, The University of Dublin, Dublin 2
Telephone - +353 1608 2308
Trinity College is a venerable university founded in 1592 and is one of the most famous universities in the world. It is right in the centre of the bustle of Dublin and is an oasis with cobbled walkways, a wonderful main square with cricket pitches and treelined avenues. It is also home to the Book of Kells but a walk around this wonderful university is well worthwhile to get a feeling of going back in time, and indeed reliving scenes of “Educating Rita” one of the many films shot in Trinity.
Dublin Castle
Dame Street, Dublin 8
Telephone - +353 1677 7129
Opening hours - Monday to Friday 10 am to 4:45 pm, Saturday and Sunday 2 pm to 4:45pm;
Dublin Castle was first built in the 1200’s but of the original there is only one part remaining - Norman Tower - now over 800 years old. Over the years parts of the castle were demolished and rebuilt and by the early 17th Century, the Castle was the site of the Law Courts, the Parliament. Later it was the residence of the English Viceroy and had a Chamber for the Council. The State Apartments were rebuilt 18th century and recently restored to their former splendour, are still used for State occasions. You can go into the Castle and take a guided tour starting every 20 minutes. The cost is about €5-6.
Guinness Storehouse
St James’s Gate
Telephone - +353 1453 8364
Opening hours - From 9.30am to 5pm (until 8pm in July and August)
St James’s Gate is famous as the site where Arthur Guinness set up his business in 1759 and the brewery has been brewing stout ever since. The Guinness Storehouse is adjacent (it was an old hop store) and with audio visiual etc lets you relive the past, present and future of the famous beer. Each floor of the Storehouse covers a different area of the famous Guinness brand. At the end of the tour you get a pint of the dark stuff in the Gravity Bar and from this bar you get a stunning panorama of Dublin. A ticket is about €15.
St Patrick's Cathedral
Patrick Street, Dublin 2
Telephone - +353 1475 4817
Opening hours - Monday - Saturday 9 am - 6 pm On Sundays the same but with closures for Services on Sundays at 11 oclock and 3 pm but in the winter - Nov to Feb - the Cathedral closes at 3pm on Sunday. The first Church on this site is said to date from the 5th Century. It is a venerable old Cathedral now and full of interesting sights. Admission is about €5 for adults.
Temple Bar
Temple Bar Area
Telephone - Temple Bar Culture Line at +353 0671 5717.
Temple Bar up to recently was a derelict area in the centre of Dublin - now it is the centre of nightlife in Dublin. Incorporated in the rejuvenation are several new cultural centres - film photography culture, etc. The renovated squares, alleys and streets are alive with people and the place is full of cafes, restaurants, coffee houses and pubs. There are many events in and around Temple Bar especially during the summer months and most pubs have live music sessions.
Phoenix Park
North Bank of the Liffey, Dublin 8
Telephone - +353 1677 0095
Two miles west of Dublin’s O’Connell Street, The Phoenix Park offers peace and quiet away from the city. It’s the largest city park in Europe with has acres of woodland, grassland as well as lakes, and low hills. Parts of it are used for sports - cricket, polo, and football. It is also home to the wonderful Dublin Zoo.
Dublin's Viking Adventure
Essex Street West, off Fishamble St., Temple Bar, Dublin 8.
Telephone - +353 1679 6040
Opening hours - Tuesday to Sat 10 am - 4:30 pm. It is closed all day Sunday and Monday and also closes for lunch from November to February.
The large collection of artifacts recently recovered are now exhibited in the Viking Adventure Museum. The Exhibition also recreates the narrow streets of Dublin of the Vikings over a thousand years ago with interactive exhibits to bring things alive.
National Gallery of Ireland
Merrion Square West
Telephone - +353 1661 5133
When you’ve strolled around Merrion Square and enjoyed
the peaceful park, The Gallery is just across the road. It
has an amazing collection of paintings and sculptures and
has many of the most famous paintings in the world such as
the recently discovered Carravegio and the amazing Lane Collection
of Painting. Admission is free.
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