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Dublin: 10 Things You Must See
Dublin is a city like no other. Situated on either side of the River Liffey, Dublin is a city of history in the middle of an economic boom. With stunning Georgian Architecture as the backdrop to every day life in Dublin, visitors to Dublin will enjoy seeing something very unique, a historic city supporting a very modern and high tech population. People who visit Dublin usually only come for a weekend, so it can be hard to decide what to see and do. This article is meant to help you decide where your time should be spent. In this particular article I will be looking at the top 5 things to do in Dublin while a second article will deal with the rest of my list of the 10 things you must see in Dublin.
1 - Georgian Architecture
Georgian Architecture in Dublin dates from the 18th Century when Dublin enjoyed a rapid growth of population, a growth which meant the city had to develop outside of its medieval walls. Georgian architecture is so called because it was built between 1714 and 1830, during the reigns of George I to George IV. Georgian Architecture shares a sense of proportion and balance and a certain amount of grace which were derived by implementing mathematical rules and ratios to the architecture.
Among the finest examples of Georgian Architecture in Dublin are the Custom House, Georgian Houses, The Four Courts and the General Post Office (GPO).
2 - Trinity College
Situated in the very heart of Dublin City, Trinity College is a world famous educational institution. The College was founded by Queen Elizabeth I in 1592 and was exclusively for the education of Protestants in Ireland. It was not until 1793 that Roman Catholics were allowed to be educated in Trinity College.
Today the College still retains much of its feel of eras gone by with its spacious green areas and cobble stoned courtyards. Combined with being an educational facility, Trinity College also home to the Book of Kells, an illuminated gospel book which dates back to the 8th Century.
3 - Temple Bar
Situated on the south side of the Liffey, Temple Bar is a trendy area set in a historical location with narrow streets which are still cobble stoned. Today Temple Bar is associated with nights out, a Saturday market, culture, stag and hen parties. For the younger generations visiting Dublin, Temple Bar is usually the first point of call.
Historically Temple Bar is very varied as during the last Century the area was very dilapidated. At one stage during the 1980s the area was nearly turned into a bus terminal. In opposition to this proposed development on the behest of residents and traders, the Government set up a non-profit company in 1991 to protect this unique area.
4 - Grafton Street
Grafton Street is Dublin's premier shopping street. The street is a pedestrian only street and stretches from College Green to St Stephen's Green. Named after the Duke of Grafton who was the owner of the land in this area, the street developed from a country lane into its present state as one of the best streets in Ireland if not all of Europe.
Recent economic boom in Ireland has treated Grafton Street well, and the ensuing developments did little to dampen the charm of this street. Whether you plan to shop during your visit to Ireland, or plan to sample the night life, be sure not to miss Grafton Street.
5 - Guinness Storehouse
Billed as the place where past and present meet, The Guinness Storehouse is a trendy museum which takes you to the home of Guinness. In this fantastic exhibit you will see, smell and enjoy over 250 years of Guinness being brewed in this part of Dublin. The museum takes you on a historical journey to present day and will hopefully answer all of your questions about the "black stuff" on the way.
The gravity bar sits at the top of the Guinness Storehouse and offers fantastic panoramic views over Dublin while the restaurant slowly spins around on its axis.
6 - St Stephen's Green
Situated on the south side of the Liffey and at the top of Grafton Street, St Stephen's Green is a rectangular park (550m x 450m) which gives welcome relief from the hustle and bustle of city life. Before 1663 the park was a common ground, but in 1664 the park area was enclosed and the land around the park was sold for development. During the 18th Century the area that serves as St Stephen's Green today was used for public hangings.
Today the park features include an arched entrance from Grafton Street. This Archway is knows as Fusilier's Arch and was named after the Fusiliers who lost their life during the Second Boer War. The park also features a pond and several gardens.
7 - Dublin Castle
Dublin Castle was home to British rule in Ireland for 800 years, a rule which ended in 1922. Much of the current building dates from the 18th Century although a castle has stood on this site since the 12th Century. Famously Michael Collins infiltrated the castle during the British rule by simply walking in through the front door.
Today the castle is used in mainly a political context and has been used many times for the inauguration of new Presidents of Ireland. The castle is also used for political engagements, and was used extensively during the Irish Presidency of the EU.
8 - General Post Office (GPO)
The GPO as it is referred to by Irish people is the centre piece of O'Connell Street. Built in 1814 the building today serves as the headquarters of An Post, the Irish postal service. The GPO was cemented into Irish history during the Easter Rising of 1916 when it was occupied by Irish rebels and the Proclamation of Independence Read out to the Irish People.
If you look closely when you visit O'Connell Street, you can still see plenty of bullet holes in the walls and statues which date back to this conflict.
9 - Kilmainham Gaol
Kilmainham Gaol was built in 1796, and since then has played an integral part in Irish history and the struggle against British Rule in Ireland. Many of the rebels who rose up against British Rule in Ireland ended up here, including rebels from the United Irish Rebellion of 1796, the Emmet Rebellion of 1803, the Young Ireland Rebellion of 1848, the Fenian Rebellion of 1867 and the Easter Rising of 1916.
It was after the Easter Rising of 1916 that the Gaol served its most important role in the history of Ireland when some of the rebels were executed by the British Army. Reaction to the rebellion in Ireland to that point had been mixed, but the execution of Irish people caused uproar and in the end proved to be a major catalyst that brought about the end of British Rule in Ireland.
The Gaol has been fully restored, and visitors can visit the cells that previously were used to hold the rebels and stand on the spot the stood while they were executed. You can still see marks on the walls dating back to this time. Truly an extraordinary experience.
10 - No 29 Lower Fitzwilliam Street
No 29 Lower Fitzwilliam Street is a fully restored Georgian house sitting in the middle of Georgian Dublin, just off Merion Square. The house is run and operated by the ESB.
1 - Georgian Architecture
Georgian Architecture in Dublin dates from the 18th Century when Dublin enjoyed a rapid growth of population, a growth which meant the city had to develop outside of its medieval walls. Georgian architecture is so called because it was built between 1714 and 1830, during the reigns of George I to George IV. Georgian Architecture shares a sense of proportion and balance and a certain amount of grace which were derived by implementing mathematical rules and ratios to the architecture.
Among the finest examples of Georgian Architecture in Dublin are the Custom House, Georgian Houses, The Four Courts and the General Post Office (GPO).
2 - Trinity College
Situated in the very heart of Dublin City, Trinity College is a world famous educational institution. The College was founded by Queen Elizabeth I in 1592 and was exclusively for the education of Protestants in Ireland. It was not until 1793 that Roman Catholics were allowed to be educated in Trinity College.
Today the College still retains much of its feel of eras gone by with its spacious green areas and cobble stoned courtyards. Combined with being an educational facility, Trinity College also home to the Book of Kells, an illuminated gospel book which dates back to the 8th Century.
3 - Temple Bar
Situated on the south side of the Liffey, Temple Bar is a trendy area set in a historical location with narrow streets which are still cobble stoned. Today Temple Bar is associated with nights out, a Saturday market, culture, stag and hen parties. For the younger generations visiting Dublin, Temple Bar is usually the first point of call.
Historically Temple Bar is very varied as during the last Century the area was very dilapidated. At one stage during the 1980s the area was nearly turned into a bus terminal. In opposition to this proposed development on the behest of residents and traders, the Government set up a non-profit company in 1991 to protect this unique area.
4 - Grafton Street
Grafton Street is Dublin's premier shopping street. The street is a pedestrian only street and stretches from College Green to St Stephen's Green. Named after the Duke of Grafton who was the owner of the land in this area, the street developed from a country lane into its present state as one of the best streets in Ireland if not all of Europe.
Recent economic boom in Ireland has treated Grafton Street well, and the ensuing developments did little to dampen the charm of this street. Whether you plan to shop during your visit to Ireland, or plan to sample the night life, be sure not to miss Grafton Street.
5 - Guinness Storehouse
Billed as the place where past and present meet, The Guinness Storehouse is a trendy museum which takes you to the home of Guinness. In this fantastic exhibit you will see, smell and enjoy over 250 years of Guinness being brewed in this part of Dublin. The museum takes you on a historical journey to present day and will hopefully answer all of your questions about the "black stuff" on the way.
The gravity bar sits at the top of the Guinness Storehouse and offers fantastic panoramic views over Dublin while the restaurant slowly spins around on its axis.
6 - St Stephen's Green
Situated on the south side of the Liffey and at the top of Grafton Street, St Stephen's Green is a rectangular park (550m x 450m) which gives welcome relief from the hustle and bustle of city life. Before 1663 the park was a common ground, but in 1664 the park area was enclosed and the land around the park was sold for development. During the 18th Century the area that serves as St Stephen's Green today was used for public hangings.
Today the park features include an arched entrance from Grafton Street. This Archway is knows as Fusilier's Arch and was named after the Fusiliers who lost their life during the Second Boer War. The park also features a pond and several gardens.
7 - Dublin Castle
Dublin Castle was home to British rule in Ireland for 800 years, a rule which ended in 1922. Much of the current building dates from the 18th Century although a castle has stood on this site since the 12th Century. Famously Michael Collins infiltrated the castle during the British rule by simply walking in through the front door.
Today the castle is used in mainly a political context and has been used many times for the inauguration of new Presidents of Ireland. The castle is also used for political engagements, and was used extensively during the Irish Presidency of the EU.
8 - General Post Office (GPO)
The GPO as it is referred to by Irish people is the centre piece of O'Connell Street. Built in 1814 the building today serves as the headquarters of An Post, the Irish postal service. The GPO was cemented into Irish history during the Easter Rising of 1916 when it was occupied by Irish rebels and the Proclamation of Independence Read out to the Irish People.
If you look closely when you visit O'Connell Street, you can still see plenty of bullet holes in the walls and statues which date back to this conflict.
9 - Kilmainham Gaol
Kilmainham Gaol was built in 1796, and since then has played an integral part in Irish history and the struggle against British Rule in Ireland. Many of the rebels who rose up against British Rule in Ireland ended up here, including rebels from the United Irish Rebellion of 1796, the Emmet Rebellion of 1803, the Young Ireland Rebellion of 1848, the Fenian Rebellion of 1867 and the Easter Rising of 1916.
It was after the Easter Rising of 1916 that the Gaol served its most important role in the history of Ireland when some of the rebels were executed by the British Army. Reaction to the rebellion in Ireland to that point had been mixed, but the execution of Irish people caused uproar and in the end proved to be a major catalyst that brought about the end of British Rule in Ireland.
The Gaol has been fully restored, and visitors can visit the cells that previously were used to hold the rebels and stand on the spot the stood while they were executed. You can still see marks on the walls dating back to this time. Truly an extraordinary experience.
10 - No 29 Lower Fitzwilliam Street
No 29 Lower Fitzwilliam Street is a fully restored Georgian house sitting in the middle of Georgian Dublin, just off Merion Square. The house is run and operated by the ESB.
About the Author
Ronan Menton is the webmaster for a number of travel related websites and has been for some time in Ireland, associated with search engine optimisation in the Irish travel industry. He spends two months a year in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and now sees it as his second home. For further information check: hotels in Galway.
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Total views: 2581
Word count: 1219
Character count: 7437
Article rating: 3.67 out of 5.00
Number of votes: 3
Rate this article now: