Dublin city guide

Dublin, a city of culture Dublin is the biggest city of County Dublin and of Ireland. Located at the mouth of the River Liffey, the city has played important roles in Irish history since medieval times and it still is important to the country as it is the administrative, economic, and cultural centre of the Island. Dublin is one of the top destinations for weekend breaks and it is one of the most popular cities in Europe offering a wide range of entertainment venues that would satisfy people of all ages and interests. Apart from its fame as a “partying capital”, Dublin is also a popular destination for culture travels. With its rich historical background, magnificent buildings, impressive museums the city attracts millions of visitors each year. Home of the most influential writers in the world literary history such as Jonathan Swift, W.B. Yates, James Joyce and Oscar Wilde, Dublin is the heaven for the lovers of literature with several literature museums it houses. With its vibrant life which is a fine blend of tradition and contemporary, with its cultural and historical heritage, and with its warm and welcoming atmosphere this marvellous city has everything to offer to satisfy its visitors. Don’t you think it’s high time to explore this gorgeous city? Then, let’s go! Exploring Dublin National Museum of Ireland The National Museum of Ireland has an extensive collection on archaeology, decorative arts & history, county life and natural history. (Admission: Free) National Gallery of Ireland National Gallery of Ireland houses an impressive collection of Irish art and European master paintings. (Admission: Free) Trinity College The oldest university in Ireland, Trinity Collage is listed among the greatest universities in the world. Located at the city centre, the university campus with its historical buildings and its cobbled squares offers tranquillity and peace in the midst of lively life of Dublin. Christ Church Cathedral Located at the heart of medieval Dublin, Christ Church is the cathedral of the Church of Ireland, and it is one of the most tourist ridden places in Dublin. (Admission: EUR 6.00) St. Patrick's Cathedral Built in 1191, St. Patrick's Cathedral is the largest church and one of the important landmarks in Dublin. (Admission: EUR 5.50) Dublin Castle Dublin Castle is built by King John in 1204. Largely renovated in 18th century the castle houses Chapel Royal which used to be the official Anglican chapel in Ireland from 1814 until 1922. Dublin Writers Museum Opened in 1991, the museum aims at promoting interest in Irish literature through its displays and activities. Nestled in a beautiful historical building, Dublin Writers Museum invites you to take a tour into the world of Irish literature through first editions, letters, portraits and memorabilia of world famous Irish writers Swift, Sheridan, Shaw, Wilde, Yeats, Joyce, Beckett and Behan. (Admission: EUR 7.25) Hugh Lane Gallery Located in the city centre, Hugh Lane Gallery is founded by Dublin Corporation houses an interesting collection on modern and contemporary art. (Admission: Free) Dining out in Dublin After a full day of sightseeing now it’s time to have a nice meal in one of the numerous restaurants in Dublin. Whether looking for a fast and cheap solution for your hunger or for a splendid meal, you are assured to find the place you’re looking for while in Dublin. Enjoy your meal! Wagamama Do you like Asian cuisine? Wagamama, the world-wide the restaurant chain, has a trendy branch in Dublin offering a wide menu of rice and noodle dishes at inexpensive prices. (Address: South King Street) Elephant and Castle Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner Elephant and Castle is a popular place with a menu that combines good value food with cheap prices. Bruno's Located on Eustace Street 30 in Temple Bar, Bruno’s is a trendy place to enjoy delicious examples from French cuisine such as salads, meat and chicken dishes, fish specialties as well as delicious pasta and risottos in a refined atmosphere. Eden Looking over the Meeting House Square in Temple Bar district, the restaurant is the “Eden” of food. With its wide menu and professional service, Eden restaurant is the right place for a tantalising dining experience. Oliver St John Gogarty Oliver St John Gogarty Irish Bar & Restaurant is the best place to enjoy good value Irish food in a cosy and relaxed atmosphere. Glimmering nights in Dublin Dublin, with its Temple Bar district, is the capital of entertainment in Ireland. When it gets dark the city turns into a dream land providing limitless entertainment to its guests. With a great number of theatres, cinemas, festivals, exhibitions, bars, and pubs Dublin lots to offer to guarantee a memorable night out. Lillie's Bordello One of the most prestigious nightclubs in Dublin, Lillie’s Bordello is the right place to enjoy the night listening to the music played by the best DJs. Open Monday to Saturday from 11:00 pm until late. (Address: Adam court, Grafton Street) Spirit Spirit is a trendy place inviting the visitors to have joyful moments in a decent atmosphere. The club has a good bar serving various local and international drinks. Whelan's Whelan’s is one of the most famous live music venues in Ireland. With its old history and cosy, laidback atmosphere on the Whelan’s among the “must-go” places in Dublin nights. Bad Bobs Situated on 4-35 East Essex Street, in Temple Bar, Bad Bobs is a 3 storey bar and it is ideal for those who like to spend the night chatting with friends in a relaxed atmosphere. Café en Seine Café en Seine is a nice place serving delicious Irish beer as well as several types of local and international spirits. (Address: Dawson Street 40) Travelling to and around Dublin Due to its geographical location Dublin seems to be separated from the Continental Europe and from UK but actually Dublin is easily accessible via air and water transportation from the Continental Europe and from the other spots in the world. Located approximately 10 km north of Dublin city centre, Aerfort Bhaile Átha Cliath (Dublin Airport) is the city’s most important getaway to the other countries with more than 30 direct routes to UK and numerous flights to the other spots in Continental Europe. Travelling from the airport to the city is very convenient. The airport is serviced by a direct line to the city centre (Airlink). The ticket for the ride costs EUR 6.00 (one-way) and EUR 10.00 (return). You can obtain the tickets from the bus and rail information desk at the arrivals hall, from Dublin Tourism Info desk, from vending machines at the stations or from the driver on the bus. Dublin has two major railway stations, namely Heuston and Connolly Stations. Both stations are serviced by Intercity trains which connect Dublin to the major towns in the country. Unfortunately there is no direct railway link between the airport and the train stations, but Dublin Bus operates rides (bus number 90 and 92) from the airport to these stations. For further information please follow the link: www.dublinbus.ie Dublin Port, located about a 5 minutes drive to the east of the city-centre and Dun Laoghaire Harbour which is located about a 30 minute drive south of the city are Dublin’s doors opening to UK. There are several companies operating ferry services from Dublin to Holyhead (Wales), Liverpool and to the Isle of Man. Transportation within the city Dublin is provided by bus and train services. All parts of the city are well connected to city centre offering fast and easy transportation within the city. Fares for the buses and trains change according to the distance. A single ticket for the shortest ride cost EUR 1.05. There are various passes you can use on buses and trains for cheaper transportation in Dublin. A day ticket (Rambler ticket) which is available for 24 hours in all bus routes costs EUR 6.00. A day ticket which is valid on all Dublin Bus, DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transport) and suburban rail services costs EUR 9.30 and can be obtained from Rail and Bus Info desks as well as from Dublin Tourism Info Centre located on Suffolk Street. While in Dublin there is no need to worry about catching the last bus to the hotel. Dublin Bus operates an extensive night bus service (Nitelink) connecting city centre to the other areas in the city for EUR 5.00. For information about the routes you can check the website: http://www.dublinbus.ie/your_journey/nitelink.asp Festivals and events Temple Bar Trad Irish Music and Culture Festival (Every year in January) One of the biggest festivals in Ireland, Temple Bar Trad Irish Music and Culture Festival is the celebration of Irish music and culture. The Festival takes place in several venues in the city’s cultural quarter, Temple Bar. Attracting many visitors from all over the country as well as from UK and Continental Europe, the festival is a lively event warming up the cold days of January. Jameson Dublin International Film Festival (Every year in February) Jameson Dublin International Film Festival is a 10 day festival which celebrates cinema by screening Irish and international films in several venues in the city centre. St Patrick's Day Parade (Every year in March) Celebrated annually in March, St Patrick's Day is Ireland’s largest street party which celebrates the patron saint, Saint Patrick of Ireland. During this day several parades, fireworks, family carnivals and street performances take place in the city filling air with a festive atmosphere. Dublin Theatre Festival (Every year September-October) Dublin Theatre Festival is an annual festival during which many theatre plays, dance and comedy shows are staged in different locations in Dublin. Samhain Halloween Festival (every year in October) This annual celebration takes its roots from the old Celtic tradition of Samhain. It includes parties, celebrations, fireworks and thrilling projections at night and has thousands of participants each year.