Major Tourist Attractions In Dublin

Situated on St Kildare Street, the National Museum of Ireland is the country’s premier collection of Irish antiquities. The artefacts housed in the museum date as far back as 6000 BC (there are lots of recent exhibits too), and are an excellent showcase of Ireland’s history. The highlights of the museum’s collection are mainly in the vast number of Celtic artefacts- carved stones, weapons, and gold jewellery, including the famous and intricate Tara Brooch, the Cross of Cong, and the Ardagh Chalice. The museum is open five days a week (Tuesday to Saturday) and admission is free.

Amongst the most stupendous sights in Dublin is the Dublin Castle, usually used by the Irish president to entertain visiting foreign dignitarie), but otherwise open to the public. The original castle was constructed in the 13th century, what you now see is the castle built in the 18th century, lavishly furnished and opulent apartments for the English viceroy. They are the highlight of the guided tour offered by the castle’s staff. 

The Christ Church Cathedral, a Protestant Church is one of modern Dublin’s oldest and most distinguished buildings. Its most prominent features are the 12th and 13th century vaults, and the huge crypt. Parts of the church are from the original wooden chapel, a Danish one, which had stood on this site in the 11th century.

A must-see for anybody who loves beer, the Guinness Brewery usually tops the list of tourist attractions in Dublin. Located on a 60-acre expanse next to the Christ Church Cathedral, the Guinness Brewery was established in 1759 by Arthur Guinness, and produces the famous black stout, which is virtually the lifeline of Ireland. The brewery itself is closed to the public, but there’s an audio-visual presentation (followed, most importantly, by two glasses of Guinness!) for visitors. Opposite the brewery is the Beer Museum, known as the Guinness Hop Store, which has a good collection of contemporary art.

The oldest college in Dublin, Trinity College dates back to 1592 and is one of the quietest, most enchanting places in Dublin. Established by Elizabeth I, the college building is an impressive old one with a spectacular façade of Corinthian columns, and the college library, known as the Old Library, contains some priceless treasures, among them the oldest known book in the world!. Most of the college is closed to the public, but the library can be visited (in summers only; it’s closed from October to May).

More commonly called Stephen’s Green by Dubliners, this is a 27-acre expanse that remains, surprisingly enough, a lush green throughout the year. Spread across the centre of the city, the green offers an unmatched view of Dublin’s best Georgian architecture. An open common till 1663, the green became a private park in the early 19th century, and was restored and laid out anew in 1880 by Arthur Guinness. Today the green is one of the nicest places to relax in Dublin- it has formal lawns, flower gardens, a Victorian bandstand, and an artificial lake with waterfowl.

 Supposedly built on the site where St Patrick had baptized Irish converts, the Cathedral of St Patrick was erected way back in 1190, and the architectural style was typically early English. 

The longest church in all of Ireland, the cathedral was at one time the stable for the troops of Oliver Cromwell. Major restoration work was carried out in the church during the 19th century, and today the church is worth a look. The author of Gulliver’s Travels, Jonathan Swift, was at one time the dean in this church, and much memorabilia connected with him can be seen around the building.

Depending upon what you’re interested in, there are a number of other places in Dublin which you might like to visit. The Hugh Lane Municipal Gallery of Modern Art, the National Gallery of Ireland and the Dublin Writers Museum are obvious choices for anyone who’s interested in literature and the arts, as are the Olympia Theatre and the Heraldic Museum.

If you’re keen on the wide open spaces, Phoenix Park, the largest public park in Europe, is worth a visit- if only to walk through the trees. Old architecture (and Dublin has some excellent buildings from the Georgian era) is best seen in the area around Merrion Square, and the beautiful building of the Royal Hospital Kilmainham.