Dublin Travel Guide
Dublin with the 1000 years old history, consider as one of the major tourist attraction in Europe. This is the capitol of Ireland with rich of historical landmarks. This city is by the sea , harbors and lies nestled among hills and mountains. Dublin considered as a destination for all the ages and consists of best hotels, restaurants and pubs and many places to visit and enjoy. Visitors can taste traditional Irish entertainment from those pubs and restaurants and witness the Dublin' s long and colorful history by visiting museums and galleries. Best time to visit Dublin is summer and lot of places closed on winter season.
1916 Rebellion Walking Tour
In 1916, during Easter time, there was a rebellion where Ireland proclaimed Ireland as a Republic, free from British rule. Although the rebellion was stopped after 7 days, the events of this day eventually led to Irish War of Independence and subsequently to the Anglo-Irish Treaty, ending most British reign over Ireland. Consistently rated as one of the top walking tours available in Ireland, the 1916 Rebellion Walking Tour in Dublin is a great way to get outdoors and listen to the real history of this famous event as told by a witty and fun tour guide. The tour is quite extensive, so comfortable shoes are recommended. This is easily one of the best ways for a visitor from outside the country to have some of even the most minor areas and structures in the city pointed out to them.
Dublin Castle
While much of the castle has been destroyed or left to decay over the years, this is still one of the more unique and special points of interest in Dublin. The lone tower that remains on the palace grounds is quite impressive and well worth a close-up view. The guides leading the tour through the many rooms available on the grounds of the castle are well informed and visitors should feel free to ask questions of them. The castle has a unique and varied history stretching back to its time as a fortress for the Vikings in the 1200s, and including being manned by the British and later the Irish.
Old Jameson Distillery
Even the locals recommend visitors to Dublin take time to tour the Old Jameson Distillery. The fun filled informative tour includes a great deal of information regarding the history of whiskey making as well as a look at the difference between whiskeys made in different locations around the world. The re-creation done here provides a great look at what a a whiskey distillery looked like and the job functions that needed to be performed during its heyday during a much different time.
General Post Office
The GPO as it is referred to by Irish people is the centre piece of O’Connell Street. Built in 1814 the building today serves as the headquarters of An Post, the Irish postal service. The GPO was cemented into Irish history during the Easter Rising of 1916 when it was occupied by Irish rebels and the Proclamation of Independence Read out to the Irish People.
Kilmainham Gaol
Kilmainham Gaol was built in 1796, and since then has played an integral part in Irish history and the struggle against British Rule in Ireland. Many of the rebels who rose up against British Rule in Ireland ended up here, including rebels from the United Irish Rebellion of 1796, the Emmet Rebellion of 1803, the Young Ireland Rebellion of 1848, the Fenian Rebellion of 1867 and the Easter Rising of 1916.
St Stephen’s Green
Situated on the south side of the Liffey and at the top of Grafton Street, St Stephen’s Green is a rectangular park (550m x 450m) which gives welcome relief from the hustle and bustle of city life. Before 1663 the park was a common ground, but in 1664 the park area was enclosed and the land around the park was sold for development. During the 18th Century the area that serves as St Stephen’s Green today was used for public hangings.
Guiness Factory
To many Dublin is the heart and soul of Ireland, and Guinness® is at the heart of the city itself. So a trip to this vibrant capital is not complete without a visit to the home of Guinness® and Ireland’s number one visitor attraction – Guinness® Storehouse.
Temple Bar area
Some of Dublin's best night spots, restaurants and unusual shops line these narrow, cobbled streets running between the Bank of Ireland and Christ Church Cathedral. In the 18th century the area was home to many insalubrious characters-Fownes Street was noted for its brothels. It was also the birthplace of parliamentarian Henry Grattan. Skilled craftsmen and artisans, such as clockmakers and printers, lived and worked around Temple Bar until post-Emergency (post-war) industrialisation led to a decline in the area's fortunes. In the 1970s, the CIE (national transport authority) bought up parcels of land in this area to build a major bus depot. While waiting to acquire the land in this area to buildings needed, the CIE rented out, on cheap leases, some of the old retail and warehouse premises to young artists and to record, clothing and book shops. The area developed an "alternative" identity and a successful lobby by local residents persuaded CIE to drop their plans. As more cynical Dubliners put it, the area became the city's "officially designated arts zone". But while the new investment and planning may have added a slight air of contrivance, it's still an exciting, atmospheric and essentially very young place. Organisations based here include the Irish Film Centre (IFC), the experimental Projects Arts Centre and around a dozen galleries. There are also centres for music, multi-media and photography as well as a Children's Cultural Centre-an arts centre offering theatre, workshops and other entertainment for children.
Liffey River
Spanning the Liffey River, the late-18th-century O’Connell Bridge is a primarily granite structure that was widened in 1882.
Horse Show
Ireland’s ongoing love affair with the horse is elegantly celebrated every summer at the Dublin Horse Show, an event attended by more than 80,000 fans.
Dame Street
One of Dublin’s wider thoroughfares, Dame Street was named for a nunnery: St. Mary de Dame. It is home to Trinity College and the Central Bank of Ireland.
40 Foot
When Dubliners get the urge to take the plunge, they head to 40 Foot—named for the British Army’s 40th Regiment of Foot, once stationed here.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
St. Patrick’s Cathedral pierces the fog of the ages. For one thing, Jonathan Swift—author of Gulliver’s Travels—was dean here in the 1700s; his grave sits near the entrance.
Trinity College
Situated in the very heart of Dublin City, Trinity College is a world famous educational institution. The College was founded by Queen Elizabeth I in 1592 and was exclusively for the education of Protestants in Ireland. It was not until 1793 that Roman Catholics were allowed to be educated in Trinity College.
Dublin Zoo
Since 1830, Dublin Zoo has been one of the premier attractions in Ireland, let alone the city. The zoo has a specific mandate built on conservation, study and education and offers well over 200 species of animals to observe.
James Joyce Tower and Museum
June 16 is a wonderful time to be in Dublin. Every year on the date, the city celebrates Bloomsday, in honor of Leopold Bloom, notable protagonist of the James Joyce masterpiece, Ulysses. Dubliners relive the events of the classic novel, which famously of course, takes place over a single day. While popular throughout the year, on Bloomsday, the superb James Joyce Tower and Museum in Sandycove, Dublin, becomes a veritable place of pilgrimage.
National Gallery of Ireland
A national treasure, the Gallery of Ireland has a significant collection of Irish and European art. From Titian to Rubens, Vermeer to Yeats, the gallery is perhaps the best free attraction in Dublin.
The Custom House
Dublin’s Neoclassical 18th century Custom House is one of the most recognizable and indelible landmarks in the city. Home to numerous government departments, the architectural triumph has a lovely perch on the north bank of the River Liffey.
Ardgillan Castle
Built in 1739, Ardgillan Castle is a massive country estate in Balbriggan, County Dublin. A mere 20 km from Dublin, the castle overlooks Barnageera Beach and the Irish Sea.
Malahide Castle
Considerably older than Ardgillan Castle, Malahide Castle dates back to the 12th century and Richard Talbot, a knight then in the service of Henry II. Less than 15 km north of Dublin, the castle and ancillary attractions draw scores of visitors from the city throughout the year.