General Sightseeing and Orientation in Dublin

Dublin is the capital city of Ireland and lies on Dublin Bay. From north to south, Dublin stretches 16 km, the River Liffey divides the capital into the "northside" and the "southside," and almost all of the major sights in the area are well within less than an hour's walk of one another.
Dublin is a vibrant, fun-loving city, full of atmospheric pubs where the 'craic' is spun and the streets echo with the ghosts of artistic luminaries, such as James Joyce and W B Yeats.

Places to Visit in Dublin

Trinity College
College Street
Dubin
Tel: (01) 677 2941
Fax: (01) 671 9003

Founded in 1592, Trinity College Dublin is the oldest university in Ireland and has long been at the heart of Dublin's history as well as a prestigious educational institution for almost 10,000 students. Jonathan Swift, Bram Stoker, Oscar Wilde and Samuel Beckett, and many other seminal thinkers and writers, studied at Ireland's oldest university. Its main attraction is the Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript dating from around AD800, which is displayed in the magnificent Old Library.

Dublin Castle
Dame Street
Tel: (01) 677 7129
Fax: (01) 679 7831

Dublin Castle has played a pivotal role in Irish history and government since the Vikings established a hill fort on the site in the 9th century. The castle continues to create history today, providing the backdrop to elections, tribunals and many official state events. Most of the castle was largely rebuilt in the 18th century, including the gilded State Apartments, once the residence of English viceroys. Admission is by guided tour only.

Christchurch Cathedral
Christ Church Place
Tel: (01) 677 8099
Fax: (01) 679 8991

Work on the present building at Christchurch began in 1169 under the direction of the Norman knight, Strongbow. Today, little remains visible of the 12th century building over ground, bar the transepts, part of the choir and the north wall, thanks to its turbulent history. 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.

National Museum
Kildare Street
Tel: (01) 677 7444
Fax: (01) 677 7450

Established in 1890, the National Museum houses a collection of artefacts and treasures dating from 7000 BC to the present day. Since 1998 the National Museum collection has been divided between the Kildare Street building in the city centre and Collins Barracks at Arbour Hill.

National Gallery
Merrion Square West
Tel: (01) 661 5133
Fax: (01) 661 5372

Open since 1864, the National Gallery houses a permanent collection which spans from the 14th to the 20th century. The substantial body of Irish art features work by Ireland's foremost 20th century painter, Jack B. Yeats, as well as Lavery, Orpen, O'Conor, Osborne and Leech.

Guiness Brewery
James' Gate
Dublin


The Guinness brewery, synonymous with its location at St James's Gate, has been in operation since 1759 when Arthur Guinness began to brew his excellent porter here. The brewery is on a 60-acre site, west of Christ Church Cathedral. The brewery itself is closed to the public, but the 19th-century Hop Store, on Crane Street, contains a museum with exhibits on the making, distribution, and marketing of the famous black stout. Your complimentary pint is best enjoyed on the rooftop bar, which has 360° views of Dublin.

St Patrick's Cathedral
Saint Patrick's Close
Dublin 8 Tel: (01) 453 9472
Fax: (01) 454 6374

Ireland's largest church, St Patrick's Cathedral stands on what is probably the oldest Christian site in Ireland. A wooden church was built here in the fifth century after Ireland's patron saint, St Patrick, baptised his first Christian converts at a well on the site.

Phoenix Park
Parkgate Street
Dublin 7

Situated very close to the centre of Dublin, the Phoenix Park, comprising some 700 hectares, is one of the world's largest city parks. As one of the city's largest natural amenities, its is used by the public for a wide range of recreational pursuits. Among the park's major monuments are the Phoenix Column, erected in 1747, and the 198-ft obelisk, built in 1817 to commemorate the Duke of Wellington, the Irish general who defeated Napoleon for the British.