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Dublin City

Dublin City
The Capital City – A Vibrant Gem

The capital of the Republic of Ireland, Dublin is one of Europe’s most exciting capital cities. The atmosphere of the city is full of energy and there is always plenty to see and do. There is a warm, laid-back atmosphere to the city and you should take the time to explore at you ease. It is a city that has everything from sweeping coastline, elegant architecture, legendary pubs, fascinating history, excellent restaurants,  boutiques for all tastes and historic urban parks.

Dublin County

While Dublin City gets all the attention, Dublin County is a brilliant spot that seduces you into submission with beautiful stretches of sea, atmospheric pubs, a shed load of activities and top cultural attractions.

Both Howth Head and Dun Laoghaire command spectacular sweeping views out over Dublin Bay, and if you climb Killiney Hill along the south Dublin coast you’ll be rewarded with one of the most incredible panoramas in the whole county.

The coastline is studded with pretty villages from the southern spots of Dalkey, Glasthule, Dun Laoghaire, Blackrock and Sandymount to the northern villages of Clontarf, Howth, Malahide and Portmarnock, and you’ll be spoiled for choice with restaurants, shops, country houses and top outdoors activities.

Things to Do in Dublin

  • Fishing in Dublin is the real deal with the Rivers Liffey and Tolka, the Royal Canal and beautiful Dublin Bay offering a wide range of opportunities for enthusiasts.
  • Canoeing & Rowing: Join the thrill seekers with slalom or white water racing down the River Liffey in winter, or else take things at a gentler pace with canoeing and rowing on the river all year round.
  • GAA Museum & Croke Park Stadium Tour: The biggest sports museum in Ireland houses an excellent interactive exhibition on Irish life and heritage.
  • Golf: Dublin has an abundance of top quality golf clubs, both near to the city centre, and a little further afield. Try Castleknock; Druids Glen Golf Club; Luttrellstown Castle Golf Club; Malahide Golf Club; and Portmarnock Golf Club – they all offer spectacular golf and scenery.
  • Horse Riding: Surrounded by mountains and coastlines, County Dublin is a delightful spot for horse trekking. Try the highly recommended Paddocks, which is BHS approved and overlooks the city and bay.
  • Sailing, Windsurfing & Power-boating: Test your skills on the water, or learn new ones at the Fingal Sailing School. Established in 1973, it’s got a stunning location on the picturesque Broad Meadow Estuary.
  • The Malahide Sea Safari: Hold on to your seat and enjoy a fantastic speedboat ride around Dublin Bay while getting up close to Dublin’s birds and sea life.
  • Sea Swimming: Dublin’s waters may look icy, but that doesn’t put off the locals who swim at South County Dublin spots like Seapoint (with its Blue Flag), and the 40ft at Sandycove right throughout the winter – Christmas Day sees swimmers taking the plunge by the dozen. You may prefer the more temperate months of August and September when the Irish sea glistens a beautiful blue.
  • Water-skiing & Cycling: Make the most of Dublin’s natural surroundings with water-skiing at locations around Dublin Bay, or maybe take a bike along Grand Canal Way, the Phoenix Park or the expansive seafront.

Culture in Dublin City

  • Abbey Theatre: Internationally renowned and dating back over 90 years, the Abbey is Ireland’s national theatre and stages works by esteemed Irish playwrights including Yeats, Synge, O’Casey, Beckett, Behan, and Tony Award-winner Hugh Leonard.
  • The Civic Theatre: Out in the suburbs of Tallaght, this bright, modern theatre will reward you with fine productions both in the main theatre and the smaller studio.
  • Dublin City Hall: This impressive building right in the heart of Dublin City hosts a multi-media exhibition, which traces the evolution of this historic city from 1170 to the present day.
  • Dublin Writers Museum: Discover Dublin’s rich literary history with a celebration of the lives and works of renowned poets, authors and playwrights, such as Jonathan Swift, George Bernard Shaw, Oscar Wilde and W B Yeats.
  • The Gaiety Theatre: This lovely 19th-century theatre is centrally located near to Stephen’s Green and Grafton Street and plays host to a wide variety of musical comedy, ballet, pantomime, and drama.
  •  The Gate Theatre: Established as a theatre in 1928, the Gate stages a broad range of Irish and international plays, and was the starting point for such luminaries as Orson Wells and James Mason.
  • Irish Museum of Modern Art: A must for modern art fans, IMMA houses an innovative range of international and Irish 20th century arts within the spectacular 17th-century Royal Hospital Kilmainham.
  • James Joyce Museum: Located by the sea near the pretty village of Sandycove, the James Joyce Tower (the setting for the first chapter of Ulysses) was used by the author as a residence and is one of a series of impressive Martello towers built to withstand a possible Napoleonic invasion.
  • The National Concert Hall: The National Concert Hall is Ireland’s most prestigious music venue offering weekly performances by the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland.
  •  National Gallery of Ireland: The beautifully grand National Gallery houses Ireland’s national collection of Irish art and European Masters. The more recent addition of the modern Merrion Wing has enlivened the gallery with a bright, dynamic space.
  • National Museum of Ireland: Ireland’s new museum on the banks of the River Liffey is home to a glittering national collection of decorative arts and history.

Sightseeing

  • Christ Church Cathedral: This exceptional cathedral dates back to around 1030. The crypt, which dates back to 1171-2, is one of the largest medieval crypts in Ireland and the UK, and is a haunting and atmospheric spot.
  • Custom House: No view of Dublin’s skyline is complete without a tableau of the old Georgian Custom House, which is considered to be architecturally the most important of Dublin’s buildings.
  • Dublin Castle: Dublin Castle is more of a palace than a castle and is currently used to entertain heads of state. Guided tours of the State Apartments, the Chapel Royal and the Undercroft, where the ancient city walls join the castle, are available.
  • The Dublin Experience: Get interactive and uncover Dublin’s fascinating history with this exhibition, which covers Viking times to the present day.
  • Government Buildings: The imposing offices of the Government Departments (including an Taoiseach’s office) are open to the public at certain times. Guided tours are available on Saturdays and admission is free.
  • Guinness Storehouse: The air around the Guinness Storehouse is heavy with the smell of hops, and this hi-tech home of the Black Stuff offers a fascinating insight into 250 years of brewing history. The tour finishes up with a complimentary pint in the spectacular 360 degree Gravity Bar.
  • Ha’penny Bridge: Accepted as the symbol of Dublin, the charming Ha’penny Bridge (officially Wellington Bridge) arcs across the Liffey and was opened in 1816. The bridge was the only pedestrian bridge until 2000, when the modern Millennium Bridge opened up.
Dublin City - Capital of Ireland

Ha Penny Bridge

  • Malahide Castle: Set on 250 acres of parkland, Malahide Castle was both a fortress and a private home for nearly 800 years and is an interesting mix of architectural styles.
  • Newbridge House & Traditional Farm, Donabate: This delightful 18th-century manor is set on 350 acres of parkland, 12 miles north of Dublin city centre, and boasts one of the finest Georgian interiors in Ireland.
  • Old Jameson Distillery: Nestling in the heart of old Dublin lies the old Jameson Distillery, with origins dating back to 1780. Tours are available.
  • The River Liffey: The River Liffey is one of the main features of the city and has undergone considerable regeneration in recent years. It rises in the Sally Gap near Kippure in County Wicklow, travels 125km through the centre of Dublin, into Dublin Bay and finally the Irish Sea.
  • Trinity College: Founded in 1592, Trinity College Dublin sits on a beautiful campus with lots of delightfully historic buildings set amongst the greenery and cobblestones. You can ramble around for a few hours or else seek out heritage attractions including the Book of Kells and The Dublin Experience.

Transport in Dublin City

Dublin is well served with a number of bus links to the surrounding area and suburbs. For information on all Dublin’s bus routes, log onto Dublin Bus. The LUAS (tram system) serves the city centre and surrounding areas. The Green Line connects Sandyford to Stephen’s Green and the Red Line connects Tallaght to Connolly Station. The DART runs along Dublin Bay from Howth to Greystones and through the city centre. Bicycles can be hired for about €20 a day from Cycle Ways Bike Rental at 185 Parnell Street.
Trains serving the South and West arrive and depart from Heuston Station. Trains serving the North, North West and South East arrive and depart at Connolly Station. For information on all arrivals and departures, log on to Irish Rail. Busaras operates services from Dublin to the rest of Ireland from the central bus station on Amiens Street. For information on arrivals and departures log onto Bus Eireann. Dublin Airport is around 12km north of the city centre and there are both public transport links (bus) and private operators (coach) serving the route from the airport to the city centre. Car hire is also available at the airport. Regular ferry services operate between Dublin and the UK from Dublin Port and Dun Laoghaire Port. Log onto Irish Ferries and Stenaline for more information

Architecture in Dublin City

Dublin has a wealth of unspoilt Georgian terraces and squares and vibrant street life. Merrion and Fitzwilliam Squares are of particular quality, as are Trinity College, the National Gallery of Ireland and the National Museum of Ireland.

Capital of Ireland

Were you thinking of taking a golfing trip to Ireland’s fair capital? Check out Tourism Ireland Golf for all the information you need on golf courses all over the island of Ireland and the tours that you can take through them.