Dublin Off the Beaten Path Tips by sourbugger

Sunlight chambers (now used by Solicitors of the writing on paper variety) were designed as Dublin offices for Lever Brothers (who produce all the soap and washing powders), by the architect Edward Ould who also designed Port Sunlight (hence the link in the name, although it was also the name of a brand of soap they sold.)

It is built in a romantic Italianate style with its wide overhanging eaves and arcaded upper floors, but the most unusual architectural features is two multicoloured terracotta friezes depicting the history of hygiene.

They were recently restored and now look quite stunning.

The Dublin intelligensia never really took to the place, as a foreighn architect was used, and it is unlike any other Dublin Building, but that's their problem - not yours.

Found facing the river Liffey at Parliment street.

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Maynooth, a small planned town some fifteen miles from Dublin is not normally at the top of any "to do" list in Ireland, but it is well worth a visit.

The town usually has a vibrant atmosphere as it is a university town, with associated bookshops cafes and good pubs.

The two main points of touristic interest are the castle and St Patrick's seminary. I especially enjoyed the latter, with a self guided tour.

In particular it was interesting to see the annual photographs of the trainee priests - seeing how the numbers rose and fell over the years. The 60's saw quite a reduction in numbers, I guess the miniskirt rather than the clerical robes had greater allure for young men at the time.

Interestingly the numbers seem to be on the increase again - perhaps a reflection of the current state of the world.

It's also a good game to see little touches of individuality, such as more modern haircuts creeping into some of the photos. On the other hand I didn't spot any who managed to bump up the numbers by appearing twice on the same photograph.

See more details at : www.maynoothcollege.ie

The suburban train connection is worth using - or Dublin bus (a bargain fare as it is 15 miles away)

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Website: www.maynoothcastle.com

The coastal area south of Dublin is where all the serious money moves to in this neck of the woods.

If you can ignore the rain, then it's not too difficult to compare Killiney Bay to the Bay of Naples.

The houses have that bright mediterranan wash to them, whilst the semi-tropical plants thrive in the more sheltered coves.

Use the DART, until you see an area (like Dalkey) and go for a wander. You can always walk back to the station, or wander onto the next one - which is unlkely to be more than a couple of miles at most.

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Website: www.dart.ie

As the world and his brother relentlessly persue the Gods of Materialism and consumption in the temples of mammon in Grafton street, a church just off the main shopping street in Dublin has been a little oasis of calm since 1810.

A Catholic church, run by the Carmelite order, it lies off a norroe passage that runs between Grafton street and Clarendon street. It is therefore often known as the 'Clarendon street church'.

In architectural terms it's the impressive stained glass windows that are the main draw, but if you have an overwhelming desire to five into a residual streak of guilt - then there always seems to be preists about who are ready to take you confession.

I would like to confess to having impure thoughts about.....that's enough....G

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The Poolbeg power station on the south-side of Dublin port has two 207 meter tall red-and-white towers attached to it.

Standing like two enormous barber's pole many Dubliner feel they are 'home' when they see them in the distance on the approach to Dublin airport, or on the Ferry from Holyhead.

There is currently a campaign going to convince the ESB (electricity company) and the Dublin council to light them up to creat Dublins own 'Eiffel tower'.

When I last looked the petition on-line only had 315 signatures (you have to be a Dublin resident), but, eh, whose going to check ?

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Website: www.petitiononline.com