| Dublin has plenty of
attractions and is home to many of Ireland’s
cultural heritage, at the National Gallery you will find a
good selection of European and Irish paintings. George Bernard
Shaw
left a third of his estate to the gallery.
The
National Museum which was built in the 1880’s and has
superb displays of Bronze Age gold treasures it is well worth
visiting.
Some of the city’s finest architecture can be seen in
Merrion Square which is one of Dublin’s most imposing
squares.
Dublin Castle is
used for various purposes these days you can take a guided
tour and see the main state
apartments
with their
tapestries and Adam fireplaces. St. Patrick’s Hall
is one of the most impressive rooms you will see on your
tour
it has ceiling paintings by Vincenzo Valdre.
You may want to visit
the Guinness Storehouse this is a development based in the
St. James’s Gate Brewery Arthur Guiness
took over the brewery in 1759 you can see the original lease
signed by Arthur Guiness. You can also touch and smell the
ingredients that are used in making Guiness see the brewing
process with demonstrations and explanations of the development
of the products through the years. You also get a tasting at
the end of the tour.
A visit to the Powerscourt
Townhouse which was completed in 1774 by Robert Mack it was
built for Viscount Powerscourt is
not to be missed, today this building houses one of the city’s
shopping centers, with cafes, jewelry stalls and antique shops.
If you are looking
for evening entertainment some of Dublin’s
best restaurants are to be found along the cobbled streets
of Temple Bar, here you will also find many bars, shops and
galleries.
Dublin is well served by cinemas, theatres, nightclubs and
bars, traditional live music is often played in the pubs other
venues offer jazz and classical music. You will be able to
find something to suit your taste here.
If you are touring around the area a visit to Malahide Castle
may be of interest to you it contains many original furnishings
mostly 18th century. The oldest section is the 14th century
tower; there are beautiful gardens around the castle. The building
was the stately home of the Talbot family who were strong supporters
of James 11 it is said on the morning of the Battle of Boyne
in 1690 fourteen members of the family sat down to breakfast,
none came back to supper!
You will see the oak beamed Great Hall and the impressively
carved Oak Room, the castle is set in 250 acres of grounds.
There is plenty of accommodation to be found in Dublin but
it is advisable to book ahead of your proposed visit.
There are many more attractions to see in and around Dublin
and it is certainly worth a visit. |
