Dublin Things to Do Tips by IrishFem

Kilmainham Jail is now the biggest unoccupied jail in Ireland. It opened in 1796, and closed in 1924. Leaders of the rebellions of 1798, 1803, 1848, 1867 and 1916 were detained here. Famous names like Robert Emmet, Thomas Francis Meagher, Charles Stewart Parnell, DeValera and all the leaders of the 1916 Rising, were all interned in the jail. At the execution of the 1916 leaders in Kilmainham jail they were blindfolded and a piece of paper cloth was put on each chest as a target. The soldiers then passed their rifles behind them to be loaded because one of the rifles was loaded with a blank round so none of them knew for sure that they had shot anyone.
A visit to the jail includes a guided tour and exhibition which will cost you €5. You can enter the jail without having the tour to see the exhibition it won't cost you anything.
Opening times are from April to September 9.30am to 5pm daily. October to March Mon to Sat 9.30 to 4pm.

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Phone: 353 1 453 5984
Address: Kilmainham Dublin 8
Directions: Buses 51 (Aston Quay), 51A (Lower Abbey Street) and 79 (Aston Quay).
Website: www.heritageireland.ie

The Phoenix Park is twice the size of New Yorks' central park. It is home to The President of Ireland, see my other tips on the Presidents House. The American Ambassador to Ireland and the Zoo. During the weekend in summertime you can see a game of Gaelic Football, cricket ,soccer and polo. It has many momuments and it really is a lovely place to go for a stroll. Although at night is can be a dangerous place and if your thinking of pitching a tent, think again. The park also has rangers who patrol the park during the day. The park also contains a visitors centre beside a 17th Century Castle, although it is very small and personally speaking not worth paying to go inside. You will also find a small cafe and the food is cheap and delicious. If you want to learn more about what's in the park the visitors center will provide all the information and for 2.75 will show you a video, although its out dated its still very cheap and informative.

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Address: Number 10 from O'Connell Street
Directions: 4k from the city centre.

A must see when your in Dublin. Trinity College is in the middle of the centre. It occupies 40 acres of the city centre. Traditionally the University (which was founded by Queen Elizabeth 1 in 1592) was a Protestand University. Up until as late s the 1960's Catholics were forbitten to attend the college without a special dispensation. The Long Hall which is one of the oldest libraries in Ireland and houses the famous Book of Kells and illuminated copy of the Gospels written by monks around 800ad which makes it one of the oldest books in the world. (If you don't want to spend the money on the book of kells around €7.50 go back out the main entrance head up towards Dame Street and look for a bank that has been turned into a pub, called Bankers. It has a copy of the book of kells and you don't have to pay to see it.) The Library holds 3 million books and is around 209ft long. It was designed in the 18th century. It holds hundreds of ancient books and manuscripts. The students libraries which has three holds an extensive collections of books that trinity as a library is entitled to a free copy of every book published in the UK and Ireland. You will also find Brian Boru's harp in the long room.Brian was the high king of Ireland in the 11th century. You can stroll around the grounds for free. In 1734 , students of Trinity did not like the Junior Dean his name was Edward Ford, so they murdered him. Famous people who have studied in Trinity include Bram Stoker author of Dracula, Jonathan Swift and Oscar Wilde and finally Samual Beckett.

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Address: College Green

The Dublin Spire is one hundred and twenty metres tall, making it the tallest structure in Ireland. It is three metres wide at the base and tapers to a 15 centimetres wide beacon at the top. The top section is perforated and lit by small lights. Affectinately called the Nail in the Pail. The pail is the name given to Dublin. During the viking times when Dublin was surrounded by a wall. Inside the wall was know as the pail. To this day the name is still used. The Spire was desigend for the year 2000 but did was not completed unitl the year 2003. ..I have heard that the first person who throws a bike tyre over the top wins a prize... maybe they can demolish it...O Connell street is also filled with statues commemorating many Irish Heros. Daniel O Connell "The Librator" the street was named after. "Parnell" another great hero and "Big Jim Larkin" the labour leader. See my famous Irish people page for more information on the above.

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Address: O'Connell Street

Dublin Castle is situated in the city centre. You can walk inside and around the grounds without having to pay. You can also pay a tour guide that will show you the 14th century round tower, the Garda Police Museum, the Chapel Royal, The undercroft and the State apartments. It really is well worth the visit especially if you like Irish History. Dublin Castle has been a constantly developing architectural entity from its foundation in the 12th century up to the present day. Because of the huge array of buildings on the site, the Castle like Trinity College is subdivided into smaller more accessible divisions.
In the eighteenth century as the Georgian streetscape of Dublin was being developed, the castle was redeveloped also. A young architect believed to be Sir Edward Lovett Pearce redesigned the upper yard using the basic design inherited from Sir William Robinson.
During the 1798 rebellion, the courtyard was used for storing the dead and wounded. In 1803 the Emmet led rising again attempted to capture the castle and failed.
Throughout the nineteenth century, the status quo prevailed and the Castle remained the site of Government in Ireland. All that this entailed, the balls, receptions and dinners continued even through the Great Famine.
In 1916 the castle came under its last attack through which it also survived. It remained in the hands of the British Authorities until it was handed over to the Free State on the 16th January 1922. One of the most infamous events in the Castle's history was in 1907 when the Irish Crown Jewels were stolen from the Bedford Tower. This took place day before a visit by the King and Queen in one of the most heavily fortified areas in Britain or Ireland - the jewels or the thief had never been found.
The Castle is still used for State occasions such as Presidential inaugurations and during Ireland's presidency of the European Union.

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Phone: 353 1 677 7129
Address: Dame Street
Website: www.dublincastle.ie
Other Contact: tours@dublincastle.ie

During the time of the Great Irish Famine, 1845 to 1849 more than one million men women and children died and nearly two million were forced to emigrate. The famine resulted in the potato crop failure the main source of food for Irish people. A memorial of six life sized bronze figures is situated near the customs house quay as a reminder of the hardship endured at that time. This area has had a complete makeover. Once a dangeous place to venture, now its full of restaurants, bars and a place where all the banking institutes have their offices. Do look out for magazine listings for the Summer months. The plaza turns into a makeshift theatre hosting plays and all sorts of music.

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Directions: From Trinity College head north of the river, cross over O'Connell Bridge and turn right. Custom House Quay its the next quay after Eden Quay.

The Four Courts like the Custom House was built by James Gandon in 1786 to 1802. Both building are very neoclassical.
The four courts are located on the Quay's. In 1916 the four courts was set on fire during the uprising, most of the manuscripts and important documents were destroyed. In 1932 the building was restored. You can see shelling on parts of the building. The four courts houses the Irish Court and Supreme court and is also home to the law library. Many areas of the building are restricted areas. You mostly see barristers in the full traditional outfits and members of the Gardai (Police) escorting prisoners from the courts.
Entrance is free. Open Mon- Fri from 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm.

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Phone: 353 1 872 5555
Address: Inns Quay Dublin 8
Directions: From O'Connell Street head South, about 15 minutes walk from the bridge.

The GPO was built in 1818 on O'Connell Street by Francis Johnston. In 1916 an Irish Republic was proclaimed and a fire broke out as a result of the fighting. It was on the steps that the proclamation of Independence was read by the leaders of the rising. Most of the interior was destroyed by the flighting. In was renovated in 1929. The ceiling is spectacular and the inside contains a large area open postal hall. You can see shell marks of the 1916 rising. Admission is free and you can buy stamps. Lucky you... .

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Address: O'Connell Street

Temple Bar is one of the oldest parts of Dublin. Despite being a tourist trap it has lots to offer. In the 18th Century the area was full of dirty houses and dangerous pubs. Nowadays its still full of pubs catered to tourists, . If you have children with you, you might want to take a look at The Ark. Its the only custom designed and dedicated cultural centre for children. It has year round programes in theatre, music, literature, visual arts for children aged 4 to 14. If its comtemporary Irish Jewellery your looking for go to the design yard on East Essex Street. The National Photographic Archive can also be found in Temple Bar in meeting house square. There are regular exhibitions based on the collections of the National Library. Temple Bar Gallery and Studios was set up by artists in the early 1980's. It runs a diverse programme of Irish and Internationl art. Temple Bar Music Centre in curve street is open seven night a week catering for every type of music, dance, theatre and art. You will also find the Irish Celtic Craftshop located on Lord Edward Street. The shop offers a complete range of souvenirs to take home with you. If its Astrology your into check out the House of Astrology located on Parliament Street. They sell everything from crystals, relaxations CD's etc and have a wide range of books. In Temple bar lane you will find the Lowe Alpine Shop if you need a new rucksack . You can have your haircut in Merchants Arch.. this is a men only barber. If its records your looking for go to Aston Quay they buy and sell video's DVD's and they are specialists in "U2" products, rarities, posters and badges. Another unusal shop is the Source which is located at 43 Temple bar stocks over 4,000 unusual items from all over the world. The Temple Bar Medical Centre located on Wellington Quay. www.templebardoc.ie) You will also find a pharmacy on East Essex. And numerous shops selling clothes and bric a brack. One of my favourites is Urban outfitters for weird and wacky stuff. .

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Address: Temple Bar City centre

St Stephens green is a 27 acre park in the middle of Dublin City. The park has many statues including memorials to Yeats and James Joyce. Its a great place to go in the summer for people watching or having lunch or to feed the ducks in the lake and wander around beautiful display of flowers and fountains. Hundreds of years ago it was open land where public whippings, burnings and hangings took place. The park is open according to daylight hours. Not dangerous, however do take the usual precautions.

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Address: Top of Grafton Street