Dating from Norman times, Dublin Castle has had a coloured history since its construction in 1204. Memorable tales here bring back British rule, the kings of old and stolen state treasures. Admission to the main building is by guided tour only, running every 20 to 30 minutes. The courtyard and impressive Chester Beatty Library (beside the gardens) are worthy explorations too.
Book and Go
Latest features
Things to see in Dublin
Tourist offices
Visit Dublin
Address: 25 Suffolk Street, Grafton Street, Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
Tel: +353 1 8502 30330.
Opening Hours:Mon-Sat 0900-1730, Sun 1030-1500. www.visitdublin.com
Dublin's sightseeing options are vast. While there are many shops purporting to be 'tourist information' centres, most are commercial operations. The official Suffolk Street outlet is located in a re-purposed church, and serves as a goldmine of entry tickets, hotel booking, reams of information and neutral advice. There are more brochures on offer here than you'll want to carry, but stock up on a few favourites, check for the city's regular festivals and grab a map on the way out.
The Dublin Pass (www.dublinpass.ie) is a good investment if you're planning on going heavy on the sightseeing, offering 33 attractions for a single price. It comes together with a guidebook, fast-track entry and special offers only available to pass holders at a further 20 attractions. Book in advance for its free airport transfer offer. The pass is available for 1-, 2-, 3- and 6-days from tourist information outlets.
Dublin Castle
Opening Times: Mon-Sat 0945-1645, Sun 1200-1645.
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address:
Dame Street, South Central Dublin, Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
Telephone: +353 1 645 8813.
Website:
http://www.dublincastle.ie
Kilmainham Gaol
A former prison that housed the leaders of failed uprisings against the British from the 1780s to the 1920s, this museum gives a detailed insight into Ireland’s political history, and includes the site of the execution of 14 members of the Easter Rising in 1916. The history of the prison itself is also explored. Access is by guided tour only.
Opening Times: Daily 0930-1730.
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address:
Inchicore Road, Central West Dublin, Dublin, Dublin 8, Ireland
Telephone: +353 1 453 5984.
Website:
http://kilmainhamgaolmuseum.ie
Trinity College Dublin
Visitors can drift among the ghosts of artists past in one of the world's most famous centres of learning. Jonathan Swift, Bram Stoker, Oscar Wilde, Samuel Beckett and many other seminal thinkers and writers studied at Ireland's oldest university, which was founded in 1592. Its main attraction is the Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript dating from around AD800, which is displayed in the magnificent Old Library.
Opening Times: Mon-Sat 0930-1700, Sun 0930-1630 (May-Sep) and 1200-1630 (Oct-Apr).
Admission Fees: Yes (for The Book of Kells and tours); free access to campus.
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address:
College Green, South Central Dublin, Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
Telephone: +353 1 896 2320.
Website:
http://www.tcd.ie
Christchurch Cathedral
Richard de Clare, who helped lead the Norman invasion of Ireland, founded Christchurch Cathedral on the site of a Viking church in 1172. Highlights include the Leaning Wall of Dublin, the north nave wall that has leant 46cm (18 inches) since 1562 when the roof collapsed. There's also a mummified cat and mouse found in an organ pipe, the heart of the patron saint of Dublin, and a large crypt full of other unusual relics.
Opening Times: Mon-Sat 0900-1900 (Apr-Sep); Mon-Sat 0945-1700 or 1800 (Sep-Mar).
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: No
Address:
Christchurch Place, South Central Dublin, Dublin, Dublin 8, Ireland
Telephone: +353 1 677 8099.
Website:
http://www.christchurchcathedral.ie
Croke Park
Gaelic football and hurling at Croke Park are an unusual and essential experience for those with even a modest interest in sport. On match days, make noise on the Hill 16 terrace cheering on the sky blues of Dublin. Otherwise, check out the GAA Museum, featuring the history, rules and the chance to have a go at Gaelic sports. The views from the Etihad Skyline, a 0.6km-long (0.37 mile) walkway around the roof, aren’t bad either.
Opening Times: Mon-Sat 0930-1700, Sun 1030-1700 (Jan-May and Sep-Dec); Mon-Sat 0930-1800, Sun 1030-1700 (Jun-Aug).
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address:
Jones Road, Dublin, Dublin 3, Ireland
Telephone: +353 1 819 2323.
Website:
http://www.crokepark.ie
Guinness Storehouse
The world's largest single-beer company began in 1759, when Arthur Guinness brewed the first pint of Dublin’s champagne. The brewery itself is closed to visitors, but a trip to this state-of-the-art museum shaped like an oversized pint glass tells visitors everything they ever wanted to know about the famous stout. The tour culminates with a free pint of the legendary black stuff in a bar with a view.
Opening Times: Daily 0930-1700 (Sep-Jun); daily 0930-1900 (Jul-Aug).
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address:
St James's Gate, Central West Dublin, Dublin, Dublin 8, Ireland
Telephone: + 353 1 408 4800.
Website:
http://www.guinness-storehouse.com
National Museum of Ireland (Archaeology)
Among this rich collection of Irish antiquities, dating back to 7000BC, are the 8th-century Ardagh Chalice and the 12th-century Cross of Cong. Most visitors are taken with the petrified bog bodies (Iron Age mummies of sorts) as well as the Egyptian room and the detailed Viking exhibits. This is just one of three nationalised museum venues, with further collections on view at Collins Barracks (Decorative Art and History) and at Merrion Square West (Natural History).
Opening Times: Tue-Sat 1000-1700, Sun 1400-1700.
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address:
Kildare Street, Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
Telephone: +353 1 677 7444.
Website:
http://www.museum.ie
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
The largest cathedral in Ireland, this magnificent building was constructed on the site of an ancient well allegedly used by St Patrick to baptise believers in the 5th century. The saint’s life is depicted in 39 different episodes on the window at the west end of the Cathedral. Jonathan Swift, the author of Gulliver’s Travels, was dean of the cathedral from 1713 until his death in 1745 and is buried here.
Opening Times: Mon-Sat 0930-1700, see website for details on Sun.
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address:
St. Patrick’s Close, Central Dublin, Dublin, Dublin 8, Ireland
Telephone: +353 1 453 9472
Website:
http://www.stpatrickscathedral.ie
Dublinia
An exploration of Ireland's Viking heritage, Dublinia brings medieval Dublin to life through recreations, interactive media, overlay maps and the odd bit dressing up. There’s plenty here for the children and even more the serious history buff, including glances at excavations and a real sense of the city’s hardship when it was built on the bones of Viking conquests.
Opening Times: Daily 1000-1730 (Mar-Sep), daily 1100-1700 (Oct-Feb).
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: No
Address:
St Michael's Hill, South Central Dublin, Dublin, Dublin 8, Ireland
Telephone: +353 1 679 4611.
Website:
http://www.dublinia.ie
Phoenix Park
Europe's biggest walled city-centre park boasts more than 707 hectares (1,752 acres) of wilderness and landscaped gardens. It's located on the western edge of the city and originally served as a 17th century royal hunting ground, resulting in a herd of deer today. Dubliners enjoy its landscaped gardens, nature trails and grassland. The park also houses Dublin Zoo - home to 400 animals and tropical birds.
Opening Times: Daily 24 hours.
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: No
Address:
Phoenix Park, Central West Dublin, Dublin, Dublin 8, Ireland
Telephone: + +353 1 677 0095.
Website:
http://www.phoenixpark.ie
Do you have any Feedback about this page?
© 2024 Columbus Travel Media Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission, click here for information on Columbus Content Solutions.
You know where