Dublin Attractions

Dublin has a small and compact city centre which proves to be extremely handy when going to visit the many sites, tours and activities that are within walking distance of the centrally located hotels. Any of the sites below with an * next to them are not within walking distance of Dublin city centre, as you can see most of them are.

 

Dublin Tourist Information:

Dublin Tourism Centre

Suffolk Street,  Dublin 2.     Tel: +353 (0)1 605 7700

This tourist information centre is smack bang in the middle of Dublin city and has a shop with extensive options in the way of maps, guidebooks, ideas for activities in Dublin, souvenirs and a lovely cafe upstairs. A great place for ideas and assistance when planning your day out in Dublin (there is also one on the north side of the river at 14 Upper O'Connell Street).

Historic Sites:

Kilmainham Gaol is one of the largest unoccupied gaols in Europe that was notorious in the 19th century for its harsh treatment of prisoners.  Some of the most heroic and tragic events in Ireland's emergence as a modern nation from 1780s to the 1920s took place here. Attractions include a major exhibition detailing the political and penal history of the prison and its restoration.  There is a tour of the prison.

Built in 1745 for the Earls of Kildare and Leinster, the Fitzgeralds, this beautiful building inspired the design of the White House and is now the seat of both houses of the Irish Parliament - the Dail and the Senate. The Earl was warned by friends against building a townhouse in what was then considered country, but  Merrion Square was developed and buildings surrounded the house within 20 years.



The official residence of the Lord Mayor of Dublin since 1715, the Mansion House is on Dawson Street. It is of huge historical significance as the first Dáil assembled here in 1919 to proclaim the Irish Declaration of Independence. The Mansion House is also home to a great restaurant, Fire, and to a function room known as the Round Room.

Bank of Ireland College Green

Now serving as a branch of Ireland's national bank this beautiful building began life as was the world's first purpose-built two-chamber parliament house. It served as Ireland's Parliament until the Act Of Union in 1801 this imposed direct rule on Ireland from London. Today tours highlight the coffered ceiling and oak panelling, huge tapestries of the Battle of the Boyne and the siege of Derry, and a splendid 1,233-piece crystal chandelier.



Dublin Castle is situated in the very heart of historic Dublin. In fact the city gets its name from the Dubh Linn or Black Pool (dubh = black), on the site of the present Castle Gardens and Coach House, it was officially established in 1204, but there was a defensive fort of some description here for many years before that. Tours take in the state apartments, the chapel royal and the undecroft. The Garda (police) museum is also on site, as is the highly successful Chester Beatty exhibition Library.

 

Number Twenty Nine is Dublin's Georgian House Museum on Fitzwilliam Street. It was one of ten houses on Fitzwilliam Street Lower and on Mount Street Upper restored by the Electricity Supply Board in 1988 as part of a deal with Dublin Council. From the basement right through to the attic is housed a unique collection of artefacts and works of art of the time and visitors to the house today are acquainted with the story of its first occupant, Mrs. Olivia Beatty who moved in November 1794.

                                                    Custom House

The Custom House is often considered architecturally the most important building in Dublin. It was built in 1707 and is on the north side of the river Liffey. The interior was completely destroyed by a fire lit by the IRA in the Irish Civil War of 1921-1922 which blazed for five days, destroying a huge quantity of public records. The heat was so intense that the dome melted and the stonework was still cracking because of cooling five months later and Gandon's interior was completely destroyed.

                                                   General Post Office (GPO)

Dublin's GPO is one of the world's oldest and most distinguished postal headquarters. Few others can claim to have operated from the same building (excepting the rebuilding period after 1916) since 1818 and not many can boast such a fine classical facade. The General Post Office took its place in modern Irish history when it became the centre stage of the Easter Rising in 1916 and secured the distinction of becoming the centre of a revolution.

                                                   Four Courts

Originally designed by Thomas Cooley and later redeveloped by James Gandon this historic building is home to Ireland's legal court system. Destroyed during the Irish Civil War of 1921-22, the building has since been restored externally although it was remodelled and rearranged internally.This is one of the landmarks of Dublin with its large drum and shallow dome, and visible all along the Liffey. It derives its names from the four divisions that traditionally were the judicial system in Ireland. These were: Chancery, King's Bench, Exchequer, and Common Pleas.

Sites of General Interest / Sites with Tours

This six-story building is located in the heart of the St. James's Gate Brewery in Dublin 8 and it contains the Guinness Brewery Hop Store, a museum and the Gravity Bar which,  located on the top floor,  provides some of the best views of Dublin available. There is a welcome pint of Guinness for one and all at the end of the tour.

             Old Jameson Distillery & Whiskey Tour

Set in the heart of Ireland’s thriving capital city, Dublin, The Old Jameson Distillery captures the imagination and the spirit of Ireland! Expert guides will lead you through the fascinating story of Jameson Whiskey. Follow the path through malting, milling, mashing, fermenting, distilling and maturing. The journey is completed with a visit to the Jameson Bar where you can enjoy the ultimate whiskey tasting experience.


Funky shops, eclectic cafes and hordes of stylish young Europeans have made Temple Bar one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city. Temple Bar Square often plays host to buskers and comedians and is one of the main meeting points in Dublin. It is a nice place to take a break during the day. At night Temple Bar is a hive of activity and is all about eating, drinking and clubbing.

                                                   Dublin's Viking Adventure

Located in Essex Street West in the heart of Temple Bar, Dublin's Viking Adventure allows visitors to experience the sights, smells and sounds of Dyflin in an exciting and interactive way. Dyflin, the former Viking village, built one thousand years ago, laid the foundations for Dublin as we know it today. Visitors travel on a Viking trade ship through stormy seas, rain and wind to arrive at Dublin Docks as they were over ten centuries ago.

Churches/Cathedrals

Christ Church Cathedral (The Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity) in Dublin is the elder of the city's two medieval cathedrals - the other being St. Patrick's - and is one if Dublin's most famous landmarks. It has been the seat of the archbishop of Dublin (initially Roman Catholic, then Church of Ireland) since medieval times. Built in 1038 by King Sitric Silkenbeard, the Viking King of Dublin on the high ground overlooking the Viking settlement of Wood Quay.

Saint Patrick on his journey through Ireland is said to have passed through Dublin. He is reputed to have baptised converts from paganism to Christianity in a well close to where the cathedral now stands,. To commemorate his visit, a small wooden church was built on this site.  Saint Patrick's was raised to the status of a cathedral in 1191 and the present building, the largest church in the country, was erected between 1200 and 1270. The grave of the writer and satirist Jonathan Swift - who was Dean from 1713-45 -  is near the entrance.
   
 

Parks & Gardens

                                                      St. Stephen's Green

Located in the heart of Dublin city just off the top of Grafton Street, St. Stephen's Green is a famous Victorian park that provides a sanctuary from the bustle of the city. It has 22 acres of tree lined walks, manicured lawns, ponds, flowerbeds, rockeries and a garden for the visually impaired. St. Stephen's Green has been a favourite haunt of local office workers during lunch time in the summer when they can stretch out on the grass whilst enjoying a sandwich and the sunshine. There are also concerts performed in the park during summer lunchtimes.

                                                  Iveagh Gardens

The Iveagh Gardens Dublin were designed by Ninian Niven in 1863. The gardens  include a include a rustic grotto, cascade, fountains, maze, rosarium, archery grounds, and woodlands. Located right in the middle of the city just off Merrion Square the Iveagh Gardens provide a oasis of calm where you can take a break from the hum-drum of the city during the day.


The Garden of Remembrance is a peaceful garden intended for quiet remembrance and reflection that marks the 50th anniversary of the Irish uprising against the English and is dedicated to all those who gave their lives for Irish freedom. It contains a famous statue by Oisin Kelly of the Children of Lir, characters from ancient Celtic myth.

                                                    St. Anne's Park*

A beautiful park located opposite Bull Island (see above) with spectacular views of the coast. It is Dublin's second largest park and was once the home of the Guinness dynasty, the house burnt down many years ago and the family betrothed the grounds to the people of Dublin later on. It is now home to miles of walks, an extensive rose gardens, ponds, woodlands, pitch&putt, playing fields and the lovely Rose Café.



* = Not within walking distance of the city centre.