Out & about Dublin

No trip to Dublin can be complete without a visit to the factory of Ireland’s most famous export; Guinness. Head to the St. James’s Gate Brewery’s, Guinness Storehouse to find out all there is to know about ‘the black stuff’. After a tour of the Storehouse, you are invited to enjoy a complimentary pint of Guinness in the glass atrium on the top floor, which offers a panoramic view across Dublin.

Also central to Irish history and tradition is Trinity College, once the home of playwrights such as Samuel Beckett and Oliver Goldsmith. Visitors are attracted by the College’s beautiful lawns and cobbled quads, which seem a world away from this busy, thriving city. The College’s biggest pull however, is the Old Library and the Book of Kells - an incredible illuminated manuscript, regarded as Ireland’s finest national treasure.

Another historical building of note is Dublin Castle. The castle, built in 1230, now houses the Chester Beatty Library, which contains a large selection of early Irish manuscripts and books and was voted ‘European Museum of the Year 2002’.

Equally as historic and non-less impressive is Christ Church Cathedral, which dates back to the 11th century and ranks as Dublin’s oldest building. Be certain to visit the cathedral’s crypt, which predates the cathedral itself and the adjacent Dublinia exhibition, which covers the formative period of Dublin’s history since the arrival of Anglo-Normans in 1170 via models, reconstructions and artefacts through the ages.

For something a little more unusual, head to the Bram Stoker Museum by taking the DART train the short distance to Clontarf in Dublin 3. Although it is often overlooked that the world’s most famous horror writer was in fact Irish, this museum pays tribute to the late wordsmith by taking visitors on a frightening tour through his life.

Also a short distance from Dublin’s centre is Phoenix Park, home to the Dublin Zoo . Phoenix is Europe’s largest enclosed urban park and also includes a polo field, hosts large outdoor concerts and contains the residences of the President of Ireland and the US Ambassador (although these aren’t open to the public).

If you don’t want to stray too far away from the city centre, but fancy a break from the busy shopping and tourist areas, St. Stephen’s Green at the bottom of Grafton Street is ideal and features beautiful ornamental gardens.

Golf is also a hugely popular sport in Ireland and the area around Dublin contains many highly-rated courses. These include the world-class greens of Druid’s Glen (in County Wicklow, although not too far a drive from Dublin), Malahide Golf Club, St. Margarets Golf Club and Portmarnock as well as courses suitable for beginners, notably the one at Clontarf just 4km from central Dublin.

A million miles away from sport and exertion are the ultimate relaxation breaks to be enjoyed at the health and beauty spas in and around Dublin. Seen as the perfect way to rejuvenate the body after a business meeting, shopping spree or simply to wind down after a night out in the city; many outlets are there to cater for visitors’ needs. Recommended by the Irish tourist board are Bodytime in Dublin, which offers all-over body massages as well as other therapeutic treatments and Buttercups - billed as Dublin’s premier health and beauty venue - which boasts salons and a variety of beauty treatments.

Shopping in Dublin

In recent years Dublin has become renowned for its excellent array of shops and shopping areas. The main area for shoppers south of the River Liffey is the world-famous Grafton Street. Although usually busy, Grafton Street plays host to Ireland’s most fashionable store, Brown Thomas and the jeweller, Weirs. As well as a number of chain stores, Grafton Street is in possession of the popular St. Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre.

Within close proximity of Grafton Street are William Street South, Drury Street and Castle Market which are also well-equipped with stores. North of the Liffey and across the famous O’Connell Bridge is Dublin’s main street; O’Connell Street.

As you walk past the unmistakable Spire of Dublin (a 390 foot high spike-like monument, once the site of Nelson’s Pillar, blown up by the IRA in 1966), you are surrounded by even more shops and chain stores.

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