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Worth visiting

Trinity College. Ireland’s educational prestige is held high by the oldest university in Ireland, which is at the same time one of the most important seats of learning in the world. Trinity was founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I of England on the foundations of an Augustinian monastery. Visit the impressive architectural complex of historic buildings and monuments whose graduates include some of the legends of world literature such as Oscar Wilde and Samuel Beckett.

Museums. Dublin’s cultural history is reflected in its museums’ art galleries and exhibitions. Start with the National Gallery of Ireland in Merrion Square. Founded in 1854, the gallery houses an impressive collection with 2,500 paintings. Here you can take a tour through the history of Irish art until the first half of the 20th century, the highlight being the work of Jack B. Yeats, younger brother of the famous Irish poet. Another must are the rooms housing works by Rembrandt, the Spanish school (from El Greco to Goya and Picasso) and the Italian Renaissance, represented by Titian, Tintoretto and Caravaggio.

Go next to the National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology, the country’s most important museum, which was founded in 1877 and is a guardian of Irish history from the prehistoric period until today. In the Treasury, you can admire one of the world’s most beautiful collections of gold objects from the Bronze and Iron Ages, as well as a unique collection of mummified bodies from the same age.

At Dublin’s Art Gallery (Dublin City Gallery - The Hugh Lane), housed in the magnificent Charlemont House built in 1763, discover prominent works of Irish modern art as well as some classical masterpieces of the Impressionist school, on display in the studio of Francis Bacon.

Visit also the Dublin Writers’ Museum, which celebrates the city’s great literary tradition. The unparalleled literary history of Dublin’s famous authors is told within a historic Georgian mansion of the 18th century. The museum’s rich collection includes busts and portraits, original letters, manuscripts, first editions, rare photographs, typewriters and the personal belongings of Oscar Wilde, James Joyce, Samuel Beckett, George Bernard Shaw and others.

Also interesting is Kilmainham Gaol Historical Museum. The former largest and oldest prison in Ireland is today a living museum to the memory of the country’s political history and the resistance to British rule. This is where the leaders of the historic Easter Rising of 1916, and others, were executed.

Libraries. The city's intense relationship with literature and poetry shines in its magnificent libraries. An absolute must for book-lovers (and not only), is the Old Library, dating back to the beginning of the 18th century and housed in Trinity College. Don’t miss the renowned ‘’Book of Kells’’, a rare manuscript of the Four Gospels of the New Testament carried out by monks around 800 AD. You should also visit the Long Room, the main chamber of the library, which showcases 200,000 old volumes.

Inside Dublin Castle is a world-renowned library housing the collection of mining engineer Sir Alfred Chester Beatty, with over 20.000 manuscripts, rare books and hundreds of priceless objets d’art.

The Marsh Library is considered one of Dublin’s best-kept ‘’secrets’’. Undisturbed by time, for the last three centuries it has housed 25,000 books, manuscripts and maps dating back to the 15th century.

Cathedrals. St Patrick’s Cathedral: The largest cathedral in Ireland is dedicated to St Patrick, the country’s patron saint. It was built between 1191 and 1270, next to the sacred spring where St Patrick is said to have baptised Celtic converts in the 5th century. In its southwest side is the tomb of the famous author Jonathan Swift (and that of his partner), who was the cathedral’s dean for over 30 years. Equally impressive is Christ Church Cathedral perched on a hill in Dublin. Founded in 1030, it was renovated in 1172. Enjoy its beautiful interiors.

Old Jameson Distillery. The Irish were the first to produce uisce beatha (“water of life”), which was later to become famous throughout the world as whiskey. Discover everything there is to know about the history and distilling of Irish whiskey in this fantastic, totally different kind of museum housed in the facilities of the Old Jameson Distillery.

Guinness Storehouse. The legend of the world’s most famous stout begins in Dublin, with the opening of the Guinness Brewery by Arthur Guinness in 1759. The brewery’s storerooms have today been transformed into an impressive interactive museum – in the shape of a giant pint glass – which offers a unique tour through the history and brewing process of this iconic drink. The visit ends with a sample of the perfect pint in the museum’s Gravity Bar, with a panoramic view over the city.

Dublin Castle. Built in 1204 as a Norman fortress, it was for centuries the centre of British royal power in Ireland. Most parts of the grand castle you see today were rebuilt in the 18th century, except for the Record Tower, still in all its former glory, which dates back to the 13th century.

Phoenix Park. Visit the largest enclosed urban park in the world, which was opened to the public in 1745 and covers 707 hectares of remarkable nature, with landscaped gardens, lakes, cricket and polo grounds and even a herd of deer, descendants of the first deer who lived there in 1662. Here in the wonderfully preserved 18th century mansions you can find the residences of the President of Ireland and the American ambassador.

14 Henrietta Street. A stroll through the erstwhile urban niche of Georgian architecture will be enlightening, especially if you go on an 80-minute guided tour of one of the listed buildings, during which you will discover amazing facts about the socio-political past of Dublin’s middle class.

Merrion Square. Created in 1792, this is the best-preserved area of Georgian Dublin. The houses surrounding the elegant and verdant space are from the same period.

National Botanic Gardens. The National Botanic Gardens are located in Glasnevin, just 3 kilometres from the city. Take time out for a walk-in nature. Founded in 1795, the gardens are home to over 17,000 different plant species from all over the world that are cultivated there and some of which have already disappeared from the wild.

Excursions near Dublin

Wicklow. To the south of Dublin, you can find the country’s National Park. Also known as the ‘’Garden of Ireland’’, it is one of its most beautiful rural areas, with gently-sloping mountains, unspoilt coastline and many historical monuments. Its other claim to fame is as one of the locations for the legendary film ‘’Braveheart’’.

Limerick. A medieval city at the mouth of the River Shannon of great historical interest. Although hard hit by the economic crisis it is a worthy example of urban recovery.

Belfast. The capital of Northern Ireland, with its bloody past and industrial background, home to the working class, remains the financial lungs of Ireland and has also evolved into an arts centre.

Kerry & Cork. County Kerry is in the centre of the province of Munster, strewn with medieval ruins, valleys, mountains and traditional villages. If you continue south of Munster, make sure you stop off at the historical city of Cork, that opposed the Irish War of Independence. Marvel at its landscapes of unparalleled natural beauty and iconic architecture.

Galway. The medieval city of Galway spreads out along the River Corrib, on Ireland’s west coast. It is arguably the most beautiful town of Ireland with its dreamy landscape, stunning monuments and vibrant artistic life.

Donegal & Causeway Coast. On the north side of the island, Irish nature meets with myth, and stunningly beautiful wild landscapes intensify the medieval past of County Donegal. The most breathtaking excursion on the island, however, has to be the Causeway coast, with its amazing rocky morphology.

Food

Dublin’s food scene reflects the wide variety of its rich mix of cultures. If, however, you are looking for traditional Irish cuisine you should sample its dishes based on fish, seafood, potatoes and occasionally game.

Try the smoked fish (such as the salmon and mackerel), Irish stew (with lamb and potatoes), the legendary boxty (potato pancake with various fillings, mainly bacon and cabbage), coddle (warm Irish comfort food made with pork sausages, bacon, onions and potatoes), the soda bread, creamy cheeses and cold meats from the country’s organic farms, as well as seafood from the Atlantic (mussels, oysters and lobster).

Top off your meal with a traditional Irish coffee, a blend of hot, freshly-brewed coffee and Irish whiskey with a layer of ice-cold fresh cream.

For dessert, choose among the traditional tarts and creamy cakes with handmade jams and chutney.

Entertainment

Irish beer features prominently in the Dubliners’ open and friendly disposition, from eating out to… pub crawls, and not without reason. If you are lucky enough to be in Ireland during the Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations, you will speedily be invited to join in the beer-drinking tradition at all times of the day. If not, it is certainly worth trying all the varieties of beer available in pubs, bars and restaurants, starting with the famous Irish stout Guinness, Murphy’s and Beamish.

Dublin’s nightlife is wild to say the least, especially due to the strong student presence in the city. So, when night falls, follow the Dubliners to the authentic traditional pubs of St. Stephen’s Green, Merrion Row and Baggot Street. Temple Bar, in the historic centre, is always packed and sometimes tiring. For after-midnight entertainment, choose from the late bars or night clubs around Harcourt Street, Wexford Street, Grafton Street and South Williams Street, where the younger Dubliners hang out.

Shopping

In Dublin you will discover unique “Made in Ireland” creations by fine craftsmen and Irish designers. The country has a long tradition in woollen knitwear (Aran jumpers), Celtic-inspired jewellery (Claddagh rings), crystal pieces (from Waterford), white porcelain pieces, ceramics and Irish escutcheons. The best things can be found in the specialist shops of Nassau Street as well as at the select Saturday Cow’s Lane Designer Mart (in the Temple Bar area).

On Grafton shopping street you will find the most expensive boutiques in the city with international and Irish brands, as well as historic Irish department stores including Brown Thomas. Also check out the Stephen’s Green shopping centre, and the Powerscourt Centre, with their combination of stunning Georgian buildings and chic shops.

For antiques and arts visit the antiques quarter (Dublin’s version of Portobello Road, on Francis Street). For wonderful vintage discoveries, explore the alternative markets of Temple Bar, visit the Saturday Ha’penny Flea Market (Lower Liffey Street) and George’s Street Arcade, in Dublin’s oldest shopping centre (1881).

Transport from the airport

Dublin International Airport is located 12 kilometres north of Dublin, very close to Swords. The airport is very well connected to the city and operates regular bus services. There are many lines leaving the arrivals terminal going to Dublin and also to other towns and cities in Ireland. The very popular Airlink express bus no 747 departs from the airport every 20 minutes, daily from 05.00 in the morning to 23.30 at night and costs 6 euros. Alternatively, you can take the Aircoach, which operates during the same hours, seven days a week, but which is privately owned, and costs 7 euros (cheaper if you book online). You can also use the regular public bus that connects Swords to Dublin and is also the cheapest at 3.30 euros.

There is a taxi rank at the exit of the airport. The fare into the city will be around 30 euros.