Dublin Things to Do Tips by acemj Top 5 Page for this destination

Saint Patrick's Cathedral St Patrick's Cathedral Review

Saint Patrick's is not Catholic. Okay, now that we've got that out of the way . . .

It's actually more commonly known in Ireland as the "People's Cathedral" and is the Protestant Church of Ireland's national cathedral. It was originally built in wood on the spot that Saint Patrick baptized many converts in 450 A.D. In the 12th century it was built in stone and rebuilt again in the 13th century. The Minot Tower dates to the 14th century and appeared very simplistic to me, perhaps because it was built for strategic and not aesthetic purposes.

Visiting hours are 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday; 9-6 on Saturday and 12:30-2:30 on Sunday. The admission charge is 4 euro.

Sunday services begin at 8:30am.

Address: St Patrick's Close, Dublin

Phone: +353-1-453 9472

Tribute to revolutionary men Kilmainham Jail Review

This plaque and an Irish flag commemorate the deaths of the revolutionary leaders of the Easter Rising in the yard in which they were killed.

Address: Inchicore Road, Dublin 8

Directions: Near Heuston Station

Phone: 353 1453 5984

Interior St Patrick's Cathedral Review

This photo shows you the enormous proportions of St. Patrick's. In fact, it's the longest medieval church in Ireland. Near the back, on the same side that you'll enter the church is a monument to Jonathan Swift and his beloved Stella, whom he made famous in his famous writings. Both are buried here. There are numerous other monuments to friends of the church throughout the centuries.

Address: St Patrick's Close, Dublin

Phone: +353-1-453 9472

Altar St Patrick's Cathedral Review

The altar is beautifully carved and the choir above it is, somewhat oddly, adorned with swords and helmets which represent the various knights of St. Patrick.

Address: St Patrick's Close, Dublin

Phone: +353-1-453 9472

Merrion Square Merrion Square Review

Walk around the park and you'll see the best collection of Georgian architecture (those famous doors) in the city. In the park, I noticed the flowers are well-kept. You'll also be impressed with the lamp posts.

Pictured is a plaque on the front of the house where W.B. Yeats once lived.

Directions: In the southeast of the city centre, about 10 minutes walking east from the front of Trinity College.

National Gallery of Ireland National Gallery of Ireland Review

The National Gallery opened in 1854 with only 125 paintings. Today it has over 2500 paintings and around 10000 works of art in various media. It's closed on Mondays.

Address: Merrion Square, Dublin 2

Directions: Behind Trinity College

Other Contact: free admission

Phone: + 353 1 661 5133

Website: http://www.nationalgallery.ie/

Within these walls . . . Kilmainham Jail Review

Bleak is the only word that comes to mind. I'm sure the prisoners might have had the same thought.

Kilmainham Goal was a great place to visit for me because I learned a lot about the many rebels who were jailed here and about the struggles for independence of this young country.

Address: Inchicore Road, Dublin 8

Directions: Near Heuston Station

Phone: 353 1453 5984

Kilmainham Kilmainham Jail Review

The foreboding stone entrance to the jail can get pretty busy in the summer time, so you might have to wait in line. However, when I visited on a cold day in mid-May there was no wait at all. They have family rates too, so call to inquire about this. I believe it's 11 euro for a family.

Address: Inchicore Road, Dublin 8

Directions: Near Heuston Station

Phone: 353 1453 5984

A solemn yard . . . Kilmainham Jail Review

During the tour, you'll be taken to the this yard where children who were housed at the prison were allowed exactly one hour a day to exercise (not play). Ironically, this is also where the leaders of the Easter Rising were executed in 1916.

Address: Inchicore Road, Dublin 8

Directions: Near Heuston Station

Phone: 353 1453 5984

Kilmainham Gaol Kilmainham Jail Review

Between 1796 and 1924, this jail was not a pleasant place to be. The guided tour gives you a realistic view of the conditions for the inmates who were housed here. It also explains things in a historical context and gives you a good idea of what things were like on the outside too. For example, during the Irish Potato Famine, life was so hard on the outside that people committed petty crimes to get put in jail in order to ensure a meal.

I was glad to have visited on a cold and wet day because it gave me an idea of the cold and wet conditions experienced in the musty cells of the jail.

Address: Inchicore Road, Dublin 8

Directions: Near Heuston Station

Other Contact: 5 euros/adult

Phone: 353 1453 5984

Website: http://www.visitdublin.com