The Real Dublin Visitor Guide

8/19/2019 The Real Dublin Visitor Guide

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The Real DublinHelping you make the most ofyour time during your stay


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Getting to know Dublin ......................................... 9

Getting around ................................................................ 17

Where to stay ...................................................................... 21

Eating out and socialising ............................ 27

Beautiful open spaces ....................................... 39

Galleries and museums ................................... 45

Places of interest & history ......................... 51

Theatre & Literature ............................................... 61

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The Real DublinYour pocket-guide to help you

get the most out of your stay,

every step of the way.

What’s inside...


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WelcomeWelcome to our travel guide about Dublin. This guide

is designed to help you to make the most of your time

during your stay here. Whether it’s a first time visit or a

regular stopover to Dublin, you will always find a warm

welcome and a friendly smile. The Real Dublin publicationis your pocket-guide to help you get the most out of your

stay, every step of the way.

The Real Dublin will give you the best restaurants to

impress, the tastiest places to eat a quick bite and the

cosy traditional pubs. We’ll guide you through the finest

museums, literary haunts and galleries, stunning parks

and public spaces.

We hope you’ll fall in love with Dublin as much as we have

and see that Dublin is so much more than just the best

hosting location for digital assets.

Fáilte roimh Cliath.

The team at TelecityGroup

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About the Author

As the Marketing Manager of TelecityGroup Ireland, my

job is to showcase TelecityGroup as the best location in

Europe to host digital assets.

Thankfully I work with a fantastic team of managers,

engineers and 24/7 operation technicians that work

tirelessly to ensure TelecityGroup provides the highest

availability for IT infrastructure in Dublin.

So I exhibit this hard work by promoting TelecityGroup as

the best data centre provider in Dublin, whilst showcasing

Dublin as much more than Europe’s leading technology

hub.

On that note, enjoy the data centre tour, and we hope that

afterwards you get a chance to enjoy the city and relax inthe knowledge that you have chosen an outstanding data

centre in Dublin, with expertise you can definitely trust.

A short note:

This book is intended to show you another side of Dublin during your business visit here.We’ve sampled some places, we’ve heard about others: In the unlikely event our fingeris off the pulse, do let us know by dropping us a line at [email protected].

TelecityGroup - Dublin Pocket Guide 76 TelecityGroup - Dublin Pocket Guide


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Getting toknow DublinCéad Míle Fáilte. A hundred thousandwelcomes to Ireland’s capital city,Dublin.

Renowned for its breath-taking beauty, warming

energy, unique culture and inspirational arts,

Dublin is a city simply waiting for your discovery.

Step into this wonderful metropolis where modern

cosmopolitan meets traditional charm. And step

you shall, Dublin is the ideal city to explore on foot,

with all the city sights easily reached by walking, orby the city’s very own Dublin bikes scheme.

Cultural attractions are plentiful in the city,

whilst the discerning visitor can also seek out the

abundance of scenic seaside villages, majestic

mountains and rural h interlands nearby.

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The real approach

Dublin is a vibrant and modern city with a long andproud tradition in arts, history and culture.

For the discerning visitor, Dublin

offers a warm welcome, with

inspiring galleries & museums,

excellent restaurants, a thrivingmusic scene and cosy cafés.

And whilst you soak up the

amazing historic sights for which

Dublin is renowned, don’t forget

to also savour the here and now

of the city.

New ideas and sparky start-ups

are flourishing in Dublin and

provide the perfect balance to the

historic significance of the city.

Peruse the dynamic Modern Art

exhibitions at IMMA, which is just

moments’ walk from the historic

eminence of Kilmainham Gaol.

Experience new music played

at Whelan’s of Wexford Street,

which can be a welcome twist on

the traditional Irish music scene.

The buzzing bars and eclectic

boutiques of the emerging

Creative Quarter around South

William Street are a genuine

alternative to the high streetbrands found on Grafton Street.

Whatever you decide to do,

experience something new in

Dublin and you will find a good

time is never far away as you

discover the city day by day.


Molly Malone


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The real overview

Dublin is located on the East Coast of Ireland,stretching along the beautiful Irish Sea.

The population of Dublin is 1.8

million people. Home to three

Universities and many colleges, it

is no surprise that an estimated

50% of the population are under

the age of 25.

Dublin is an inimitable city, with

Medieval, Gothic, Victorian

& Georgian buildings and a

notable absence of skyscrapers.

With strong influence from its

Danish, Norman and English

antecedents, Dublin is a new,

vibrant city, which still retains

strong remnants of its traditions.

Divided into two halves bythe River Liffey, North Dublin

boasts many famous landmarks

including the GPO, the Spire,

the Hugh Lane Gallery and the

Garden of Remembrance. Just

a short walk from the Northside

over the plethora of bridges

that span the Liffey (notably

O’Connell bridge, Ha’pennyBridge and the Samuel Beckett

Bridge) and the Southside begins.

The Southside is home to

an abundance of cultural

attractions, including Trinity

College (home of the Book of

Kells), Dublin Castle, St Patrick’s

Cathedral, The National Gallery,

St Stephen’s Green Park andGrafton Street Shopping area.

Continually changing yet quietly

constant, Dublin is will captivate

your senses as you uncover the

history, the buildings, the arts and

the buzzing social scene.

Christchurch Cathedral

The Samuel Beckett Bridge



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The Real Language

Dublin is rapidly becoming the multilingual Internetcapital of Europe.

English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, Italian, Russian,

Mandarin Chinese and Latvian being amongst the most popular

languages spoken in Dublin.

The official Irish language (Gaeilge) is rarely spoken in Dublin and

is mostly confined to remote parts of the West, North West and

South West of Ireland. You may notice street signs in Irish, but all are

translated to English.

Some Irish words you may have seen or heard:

Céad Míle FáilteWhich literally means a hundred

thousand welcomes.

Sláinte

Sláinte is basically a toast like the

English word ‘cheers’. The literal

translation of the word is ‘health’.

Go raibh míle maith agat

You may hear Irish people say

‘Thanks a million’ The Irish

translation actually offers amere one thousand thanks.

The translation of the phrase toEnglish appears to have taken the

‘easy on the ear’ route compared

to the literal.

Craic

Fun, generally involving music,

dancing and laughing.

Slán

Meaning farewell. Slán is the

Gaelic word for safe so it means

keep safe.



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Getting

aroundTransport in, out and around the

city is abundant and easy.

With no city centre congestion charges, many

locals still drive into the city, although there

are many other options.

Bus, rail, tram and cycling are popular choices

with locals looking to avoid city traffic, whilst

taxis are generally reliable, if not a little on the

expensive side.

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8 TelecityGroup - Dublin Pocket Guide TelecityGroup - Dublin Pocket Guide 19

The real way to get around

Public TransportService is quite regular, especially during peak times. In all cases, a

Leap Card is the most cost-effective payment method, which can

be used on the bus, luas or DART.

www.leapcard.ie

Dublin Bus

Dublin has a

fairly good public

transport system

in the centre and

suburbs, which

operates from 6.00AM-11.30PM.

It is worthwhile to download the

Dublin Bus App, which helps

visitors plan journeys, with details

on real time travel information,

timetables & bus routes. Whilst

most city centre bus stops havemonitors to tell you when your

bus arrives, you can also check

www.dublinbus.ie/rtpi with your

bus stop number.

DART

A local train

service operates

around Dublin

Bay (east coast)

extending from

Howth on the North side through

the City Centre right through

to Greystones in Co. Wicklow

(further afield than South County

Dublin) with various stops along

the way.

The DART route follows the

coast of the Irish sea, with

unforgettable sea views;

undoubtedly one of the most

scenic suburban rail journeys in

Europe.

Luas

Luas literally

translates to

‘speed’ in Irish;

although this is

not the first word

that comes to mind when using

Dublin’s tram system. Still, it

is an efficient and reliable way

to trundle from the city to thesuburbs.

The two separate lines: the red

and the green line originate in

separate parts of the city. The

Red line serves North city and

South West Dublin suburbs, while

the Green line serves South city

and South Dublin suburbs. With a

15 minute walk between the two

Luas lines, it’s a relief that work

has commenced to connectboth. Luas tickets can be bought

on the platform before boarding

and you can buy one ticket for

use on both the red and green

line if you need it.

Taxi

Three of the main

taxi ranks in the city

centre are located

on O‘Connell

Street, College

Green and at St. Stephen’s Green.

The smartphone app, Hailo will

connect you to a taxi in yourvicinity, whilst private operators

are also good for pre-planned

journeys.

City Cabs: +353 1 872 7272

Metro Cabs: +353 1 668 3333

Dublin Bikes

With bike pods

dotted around

the city, you canenjoy a temporary

subscription to

Dublin Bikes for €5, with the first

half hour cycling free and the

remaining charged at a nominal

fee per hour. www.dublinbus.ie

www.dublinbus.ie/rtpi www.irishrail.ie www.luas.ie www.dublinbikes.ie


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Where

to StayHotels in Dublin are plentiful, diverseand, most often are renownedfor excellent hospitality and highstandards.

Whilst this is true for the majority of cases,

do choose carefully. Be aware that budget

hotels tend to locate just north of the River

Liffey, (Dublin 1) while luxury generally favours

the prestigious Dublin 2 postcode.

Two or three nights in Dublin is ample time

to see the sights, so we also recommendventuring out to the outskirts of Dublin (page

39) or depending on your schedule taking in a

stay further afield; Killarney, Cliffs of Moher or

West Cork or even to trek off the beaten track

in Leitrim, Cavan or Sligo.

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The Shelbourne

The 5 star luxury Shelbourne was a scene of

significant historical events over the past two

centuries and is an iconic part of Dublin city

history. In May 1922, The Shelbourne played

host to its most historic meeting – the drafting

of the Irish Constitution under the leadershipof Michael Collins. Guests can step inside The

Constitution room at certain times to become

immersed in a crucial event in Irish history.

Setting aside its historical significance, The

Shelbourne is a stunning hotel, overlooking

the picturesque St Stephens Green City

Park and just walking distance from galleries,

museums, pubs, restaurants and the famous

Grafton Street on Dublin’s Southside. It is on

the pricey side and if you can’t justify the spend;

it is worth a visit to the Horseshoe Bar to soakin the atmosphere. According to legend, the

Horseshoe Bar is frequented by millionaires;

top politicians; high society; stars of stage

and screen, along with famous musicians and

sportspeople. You’ll fit right in.

www.theshelbourne.ie

The Merrion Hotel

A gem of a hotel, this 5 star luxury hotel is

just moments’ walk from the Shelbourne, in

the heart of Georgian Dublin. The Merrion is

home to the 2-star Michelin Restaurant Patrick

Guilbaud, The Cellar Bar and Restaurant, and

the intimate No. 23 Cocktail Bar.

www.merrionhotel.com

The Westbury

The Westbury is a 5 star luxury hotel, situated

just off Grafton Street, close to Trinity College,

the Gaiety Theatre and select restaurants and

café-bars. This luxurious hotel is filled with

beautiful chandeliers with opulence at every

turn. Once again, it is worth a visit to the hotel,even if you’re not staying. Enjoy afternoon

tea in The Gallery; if your timing is right, the

pianist may be playing the grand piano in the

mezzanine as you enjoy a grand view out onto

the bustling streets.

www.doylecollection.com

The real place to stay... to impress The real place to stay... to impress


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24 TelecityGroup - Dublin Pocket Guide

The real place to stay... within budget

Camden Court Hotel

This is a reasonable, good quality hotel located

in Dublin’s south city (about a 15 minute walk

to Grafton Street). The immediate vicinity

(Camden Street), while it may not look visually

appealing, does contain some nice cheap

eateries. It is close to the Green Luas line(southside) and has a car park that is free for

guests at the time of writing and rates can vary

at around €100 per night.

www.camdencourthotel.com

Short Term Accommodation

Specialise in short term rental:

www.dublinshortlets.com

Specialise in serviced apartments for short

term or long term stays:

www.staycity.com

The home of nearly all rental apartments

and houses in Dublin:

www.daft.ie

Hilton Hotel Kilmainham

If you are visiting TelecityGroup data

centres, which are generally located to the

west of the city, Hilton Hotel in Kilmainham

gives you the best of both worlds. From the

hotel, it is approximately 10 minutes’ drive

to the city centre. Whilst not in the city, thehotel is just beside Kilmainham Gaol and the

Irish Museum of Modern Art. Generally €130

per night, but rates can vary.

www.hiltondublinkilmainham.com

Hilton Hotel Charlemont

This Hilton is slightly more central than

Kilmainham and overlooks the historic

Grand Canal. Just a short walk from thefamous St. Stephen’s Green area and

Grafton Street, the area is lined with stylish

wine bars and delicious bistros. Hilton

Charlemont is slightly more expensive, with

mid-week rates starting at €140, but moving

upwards, depending on the time of year.

The real place to stay... within budget



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Eating out

and socialisingDublin is a haven of excellentrestaurants serving everything from

contemporary cuisine to traditional

fare.

What’s more, continued diversity is beingintroduced with the addition of pop-uprestaurants, not to mention a deluge of newdining options and eateries opening theirdoors regularly.

Take a moment to review our choices,

but keep your eye also on The GeorginaCampbell Guide which selects the verybest in hospitality providers in Ireland.Their anonymous inspection team dine inrestaurants, pay their bill (really!) and assessthe restaurant accordingly - uninfluenced bythe venue, which we like, very much.

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The real place eat... to fine dine

Restaurant Patrick

Guilbaud€€€€€ This restaurant has been at the

centre of fine dining in Dublin for

the last thirty-three years and is

Ireland’s only two star Michelin.

Situated beside the 5 star Merrion

Hotel in Dublin city centre, the

cuisine is contemporary Irish with

classical roots.

This is a definitely a restaurant tofrequent on a very, very special

occasion.

www.restaurantpatrickguilbaud.ie

Pearl Brasserie€€€€

This beautiful restaurant serves

excellent food in comfortable

surroundings. Pearl serves

traditional French cuisine in this

warm, modern, classy and chic

establishment. Tucked away

on the corner of Merrion Street,

Pearl’s interior boasts open peat

fires, Asian-inspired furnishings

and a stunning aquarium. The

real wonder to behold is the food:Head Chef Sebastien believes his

menus will take you on a culinary

journey around France whilst

giving you the true taste of Pearl

Brasserie. Bon Appetit.

www.pearl-brasserie.com

Chapter One€€€€

One of Ireland’s finest restaurants

(Michelin Star) resides in this

arched basement beneath the

Irish Writers Museum. It has a

sleek and elegant dining room,

which is inspired by a love of art

and a passion for food. Keep your

eye out for ProjectArt @ Chapter

One, a collaborative expression

of the creative connectivity

between art, food and therestaurant’s customers. Whilst

not in a typical restaurant area,

Chapter One is also a moments’

walk from the Gate Theatre (page

63) and the Hugh Lane Gallery

(page 47).

www.chapteronerestaurant.com

Residence Forty One€€€€

Overlooking the picturesque St

Stephen’s Green, this Georgian

building clad in enigmatic ivy is a

wonder to behold inside and out.

This intimate and serene

restaurant is part of Residence,

an exclusive private dining club.

Fortunately, Restaurant Forty

One is open to non-members,

delivering exquisite food inthe most visually appealing

surroundings. Stylish and

elegant, Residence Forty One is

the ideal setting for everything

from a business lunch to a

special dinner occasion.

» www.residence.ie

The real place eat... to fine dine


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The real place to eat.. to impress

Fade Street Social€€€

This is arguably Dublin’s coolest

eating venue, consisting of a

restaurant, a gastro-bar and

a rooftop winter garden for

private parties. Fade Street

Social celebrates Irish food

and character. It is a definite

departure from the formality of

fine dining. Fade Street social is

as buzzing on a Tuesday night,

as it is on a Saturday, a definiteplace to capture the unique

sense of the Irish. Next door,

and inter-connected is The Snail

Bar, or No Name Bar – which

is perfect for an after dinner

digestif.

www.fadestreetsocial.com

The Hot Stove€€€€

Located in Dublin 1, close to

Chapter One, it must be said

this area isn’t your typical dining

location. Nestled away from

the North Inner City, in the

basement of Numbers 38 & 39

Parnell Square West, is The Hot

Stove Restaurant: combining

modern Irish hospitality with

truly excellent food and wine. An

old stove oven glows at the heartof the restaurant giving you a

truly comfortable and warming

experience while a pretty private

outdoor courtyard ensures

dining al-fresco is a real treat.

www.thehotstove.ie

Chez Max€€€

There are two Chez Max

restaurants in the city: the

original Chez Max café and

restaurant at the gates

of Dublin Castle and the

restaurant in the romantic

basement premises on Baggot

Street.

Both serve excellent French

food and wine, whilst notcheap, it is worth it for the

quality of the food wine

and quintessentially French

atmosphere.

www.chezmax.ie


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The real place to eat... lively bites

Elephant and CastleTemple Bar€€

This place is always buzzing,

so prepare to wait for a table.

But that is OK, as it is located in

Temple Bar; you can listen to

some street music outside if

it’s sunny or pop in for a coffee

or drink in one of the many

surrounding bars while you wait.

This is casual dining at its best,

serving what is well regardedas Dublin’s best chicken wings,

along with tasty brunch and

dinner options.

www.elephantandcastle.ie

CrackbirdDame Street€€

The central location and laid-

back atmosphere make this an

appealing choice.

Renowned for their chicken

dishes (you may be hard pressed

to find a choice if you don’t

like chicken) and cool decor,

Crackbird always draws a good

crowd, with loud music and lots

of chat.

www.joburger.ie/crackbird

Diep le ShakerPembroke Lane€€€

Neatly tucked away behind

Dublin’s premier mews lane,

Pembroke Lane lies a restaurant

that offers a thai dining

experience you won’t forget.

Diep is a popular spot, serving

excellently cooked Thai dishes

in a venue that is always vibrant.

Diep has live music every

Thursday, Friday and Saturday,ranging from bossa nova to pop

and blues to jazz. So, in addition

to quality Thai food, expect a fun

filled, musical and unique dining

experience.

www.diep.net

Simon’s PlaceGeorges Street€

On the casual side of lunch-

time casual dining, this lovely

little indie-style café sits on the

Georges Street entrance of

Georges Street Arcade. If you

enjoy fresh, delicious, simple

sandwiches, then Simon’s Place

is a must. Simons Place offers

a refreshing change from your

traditional coffee shop. You can

also see what music and danceshows are coming up as the

interior is blasted with theatre,

cinema and gig posters for the

latest events. Casual atmosphere

and great buzz. (Closed Sundays.)

The real place eat... lively bites


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The real place to go out

Bar 37Dawson Street

Housed directly opposite

The Mansion House, and on a

street that offers a plethora of

dining and social options, Bar

37 is a stylish bar, with excellent

cocktails served until late.

The restaurant part of Bar 37 is

on the 2nd floor, and the whole

venue transforms to be the place

to be late at night in Dublin. With

a positive vibe and funky décor,this place fills up as the speakers

crank up. Whilst some consider

it pretentious, it’s generally

considered to be one of the

better late night spots in Dublin.

www.37dawsonstreet.ie

The Bar with No NameFade Street

This is also known, quite

mysteriously as the Snail Bar,

and is connected to Fade Street

Social Restaurant.

You can spot it outside by the

large wooden snail hanging above

the door.

You will feel like you’ve trespassed

into someone’s home until you

enter what feels like some sortof house party. It’s the bar. Great

music and chat and that bit more

laid-back than 37.

www.kellysdublin.com

Porter HouseTemple Bar

Yes, Temple Bar is essentially

Ireland’s tourist trap – it is

expensive and can get rowdy late

at night. So as a rule we would not

recommend most of the bars

that line the streets of Temple

Bar. But we have started this list

with a Temple Bar location, The

Porter House. Here they sell

local ales and craft beers at a

reasonable price. With live music

every night of the week, it is alsoa good spot to meet and chat

to new people from all over the

world.

www.porterhousebrewco.com

Vintage Cocktail ClubTemple Bar

Another Temple Bar location, but

this is one for the locals. Hidden

away down an alleyway with no

noticeable sign, this vintage gem

is a great place for an excellent

cocktail, but emphasis on the

singular: it’s expensive.

Vintage décor, with a speakeasy

vibe, this is known as Temple

Bar’s best kept secret. Do book

in advance, even if it’s just for acocktail. Oh, and don’t tell a soul.

www.vintagecocktailclub.com

The real place to go out



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The real traditional pubs

O’Donoghue’sMerrion Row

This is the best known traditional

Irish music pub in Dublin.

O’Donoghue’s has played

host to many traditional Irish

legends, including the Dubliners,

Christy Moore and Phil Lynott.

O’Donoghue’s is a traditional

Irish pub in that it is a little rough

around the edges, but that is

part of its charm. Today, it is still

one of the few Dublin locations

that you can hear traditional Irishmusic played on most nights, so

it’s worth a visit for that alone.

www.odonoghues.ie

Kehoe’sSouth Anne Street

Kehoe’s is one of Dublin’s best

kept secrets. It’s is a traditional

Irish Pub that dates back to the

end of the 19th Century. Literally.

The interior is the product of

a Victorian style renovation

which has been preserved to the

present day. If you are passing on

a sunny evening, you will notice

large crowds standing outside

having a drink and a chat, nothing

against the Victorian interior, justan unusual tradition. Definitely

worth a journey there.

www.louisfitzgerald.com/kehoes

The Long HallGeorges Street

Never straying far from its name,

this pub is essentially a long hall.

It’s quite small, usually busy and

again, little has changed here

since the Victorian era.

Bruce Springsteen usually

drops in when he is in town and

Phil Lynott filmed a portion of

the video for ‘Old Town’ here.

This authentic Dublin pub is

affectionately known as “TheLong Stand”, (seats can be hard

to find during busy times), but

this feature makes it all the more

sociable.

The Stag’s HeadBridge Street

Whilst a little bit on the ‘touristy’

side, The Stag’s Head is

regarded as Dublin‘s oldest pub,

dating back to 1198. They have

traditional Irish music every

night. The real reason we have

listed this pub is that they host an

enchanted evening here called

‘An Evening of Food, Folklore

and Fairies’. It’s essentially a

dinner theatre, for you to listen

to captivating storytelling as youenjoy a traditional Irish meal.

Touristy? Yes. One of the better

ones? Definitely.

www.brazenhead.com

www.irishfolktours.com

The real traditional pubs



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Beautiful

Open SpacesAn oasis from the hustle and bustle ofcity life, Dublin has ample choices of

beautiful areas to sit back, relax and

enjoy the view.

Tree-lined parks, Georgian squares andnature reserves are plentiful in Dublin City,whilst venturing further out of the centrewill reward you with magnificent estates,stunning glens and old castle ruins.

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The real beautiful openspaces... in the city

St Stephen’s GreenDublin

Dublin city has more green

spaces per square mile than

any other European capital city.

One of its most beautiful is St

Stephens Green Park. Tree-lined

paths, a lake in the centre, with

swans, ducks and sometimes

ducklings, it is a sanctuary from

the hustle & bustle of Dublin’s

most prestigious shopping areanearby.

During summer months,

free concerts are held at the

bandstand, so you can lie on the

grass with a coffee, just be sure

to early so you get a good spot.

The Iveagh GardensClonmel Street

Bronze statues, a stunning rose

garden and a hidden (if small)

waterfall all grace the grounds

of the Iveagh Gardens. A hidden

gem of a park in the city which

is also home to some chilled

out comedy and music gigs in

summer months.

Somewhat reminiscent of a‘secret garden’ and quieter than

St Stephen’s Green and Phoenix

Park, the Iveagh Gardens are

a calm and serene oasis close

to Stephen’s Green and the

National Concert Hall.

Phoenix ParkDublin

This stunning park is home to 500

deer, and is the largest enclosed

recreational space within any

European capital city.

It is home to Áras an Uachtaráin,

(the residence of the President

of Ireland) and the United States

Ambassador’s residence.

Phoenix Park is a park you could

spend a few hours roaming. Free

tours are available of the Áras on

Saturday mornings in the Visitor

Centre. Dublin zoo is also located

within the Phoenix Park, which

opens almost every day of the

year.

The Botanic GardensGlasnevin

Not quite within Dublin city, but

just 3k north of the city centre.

The Botanic Gardens are a

beautiful location if you enjoy

botany, photography or just a

relaxing afternoon in tranquil

nature. The Botanic Gardens are

free to enter and are open every

day of the week.

www.heritageireland.ie contains a

list of all public parks and national

sites of interest.

The real beautiful open spaces... in the city



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The real beautiful open spaces...outside the city

Glendalough

Co. Wicklow

Glendalough means ‘The valley

of the two lakes’ and is one

of the most picturesque and

spectacular locations in Ireland.

A monastery since the 6th

Century, Glendalough has

seen massive changes over

the centuries. Today, the

monastic remains include a

round tower, stone churchesand decorated crosses. A glacial

valley, with origins in the ice age,

Glendalough is an astounding

location for cycling, walking,

hiking or a picnic and is a must-

see if visiting Dublin.

www.glendalough.ie

Howth

North Dublin

Howth is a picturesque coastal

village north of Dublin. The

ideal place for a day trip, Howth

combines wonderful scenery,

with interesting history and a

vibrancy that attracts visitors all

year round.

Walkers can enjoy panoramic

views from Howth head while

marine lovers can sail to DublinCity Centre with Dublin Boat

Cruises. Fresh fish is a must

for your meal in Howth, varying

from the famous Beshoffs fish

and chips on the seafront to

the upmarket Aqua Restaurant

overlooking the Irish Sea.

www.howthismagic.com

Powerscourt

Waterfall

Set at the foothill of the Wicklow

Mountains, Powerscourt Waterfall

is Ireland’s highest at 121m (398ft).

Walk the grounds of the beautiful

Wicklow Valley at Powerscourt

Estate and you’ll find the perfect

location for a summer picnic or

barbeque, or just a relaxing place to

watch the world go by.

There’s something magical about

Powerscourt; a visual wonder

nestled in the splendour of the

Wicklow mountains.

www.powerscourt.com/waterfall

The Hill of Tara &

Newgrange, Meath

Nestled in rural county Meath

(neighbouring county of Dublin) the

Hill of Tara contains a number of

ancient monuments, and, according

to tradition, holds close links with

the Árd Rí na hÉireann, or the High

King of Ireland. The Hill of Tara is

debated to be the place of the

High Seat for the King or perhaps a

sacral site associated with kingship

rituals. Newgrange is a prehistoricmonument in Co. Meath that dates

back to 3200BC. Famous for the

Winter Solstice illumination, which

attracts a select few lucky visitors to

experience every year.

www.hilloftara.org

www.newgrange.com

The real beautiful open spaces... outside the city



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Galleries

and museumsFrom Classical art to the Renaissance;from European fine art to the

Surrealists, Dublin has museums

and galleries to suit every type of

artistic passion.

Also, if you are in Dublin in September,seek out Culture Night. During this night,free events, tours, talks and performancestake place across museums, galleries andlocations normally closed to the public

across Dublin.

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The real museums and galleries

Unlike many European Counterparts, entry to mostpermanent exhibitions in Ireland is completely free, sotake advantage and get up close and personal with a

genuine Renoir, without having to pay for the privilege.

Here is a list of the places to see.

Number 29Lwr Fitzwilliam Street

Number Twenty Nine is a

Georgian House Museum. Walk

through a Georgian basement to

the attic, through rooms whichhave been furnished with original

artefacts as they would have

been in the years 1790 to 1820.

Entry is around €6.

www.esb.ie/no29

The National HistoryMuseum, Kildare Street

Here you will experience the

finest collection of prehistoric

gold artefacts in western

Europe, outstanding examplesof metalwork from the Celtic

Iron Age and the Museum’s

world-renowned collection of

medieval ecclesiastical objects

and jewellery.

www.museum.ie

The Hugh Lane Gallery

The Hugh Lane Gallery is home to

the famous Francis Bacon studio,

whereby his studio in London is

replicated in situ with genuine

contents from his home and

workplace.

This type of relocation and

compilation of entire contents

is unprecedented in museum

practice.

Bacon is the painter of ‘Three

Studies of Lucian Freud’, which

retains the record for the most

expensive artwork ever sold at

auction ($142 million).

In addition to the Francis

Bacon studio, there are various

temporary and permanent

exhibitions, which include Renoir,

Yeats and Sean Scully.

The gallery is also home to an

exquisite stained glass room,

depicting work from HarryClarke, Ireland’s most renowned

stained glass artist and the

famous illustrator behind the

Fairy Tales of Hans Christian

Anderson. The intricate detail

and the incandescent lighting

of these wonderful pieces

need to be seen in person to be

experienced.

In addition, The Hugh Lane

Gallery run a Sunday at Noonconcert series, admission is free

(to the concert and the gallery),

but donations are encouraged to

keep this wonderful experience

available to visitors and locals

alike.

www.hughlane.ie



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The National GalleryMerrion Square

The National Gallery collection

holds some 15,000 works of artdating from the 13th to the 20th

century.

Ireland’s favourite painting is

Frederic William Burton, entitled,

‘The Meeting on the Turret Stairs’.

This lovingly depicts a princess

bidding a permanent farewell to

her bodyguard.

Whilst this beautiful paintingis only on display some of the

time to preserve its quality, one

can also view paintings from J.B

Yeats, Carravagio, Vermeer and

Renoir to name a select few.

www.nationalgallery.ie

Chester Beatty LibraryDublin Castle

Manuscripts, miniature paintings,

prints, drawings, rare books anddecorative arts complete this

libraries amazing collection -

all the result of the collecting

activities of one man - Sir Alfred

Chester Beatty (1875-1968), who

bequeathed his collection to a

trust for the benefit of the public.

His priceless collection lives on

as a celebration of the spirit and

generosity of Chester Beatty.

The East Asian Collectionsinclude an astounding series of

albums and scrolls from China,

the largest collection of jade

books from the Imperial Court

outside China.

www.cbl.ie

Marsh’s LibrarySt Patrick’s Close

Marsh’s Library is located

close to St Patrick’s Cathedral.Unchanged for three centuries,

this perfectly preserved library of

the early enlightenment houses

more than 25,000 rare and

fascinating books.

Whilst the books remain

protected, the atmosphere

of Marsh’s library is inimitable.

Legend has it the ghost of

Narcissus Marsh surfaces at

midnight to browse through theancient bookshelves. But as it

closes at 5pm, you’ll just have

to take their word for it… Entry is

around €3.

www.marshlibrary.ie



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Places of

interest & historyFrom the crypt of Christchurch to thenave of St Patrick’s Cathedral, there

is no shortage of interesting historic

landmarks in Dublin.

And it’s not all about history; the GuinnessStorehouse is an excellent experience toenjoy, with some of the best views in Dublin,whilst Trinity College is a visual wonder,home to the famous Book of Kells and muchmore beyond in the majestic grounds.

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Christchurch

Christchurch was built by the

Normans in 1172 (although aCathedral has been on this site

since 1030). Inside, take time to

explore its many treasures and

curiosities including the resting

place of Strongbow’s tomb

(Strongbow led the Norman

invasion in Ireland in1169).

Downstairs in the medieval

crypt of Christchurch, you can

experience further relics of a

time gone by, including a genuinemummified cat and rat. After

seeing these beauties, what

better time for a nice cup of tea

and a cake in the 12th Century

crypt café – founded, we believe,

sometime after the 12th century.

St Patrick’s Cathedral

Known as the largest church

in Ireland, this Cathedral wasfounded in 1191.

It is said that Ireland’s patron

Saint, St. Patrick baptised

converts in a sacred well close to

the structure that stands today.

The writer and satirist Jonathan

Swift is laid to rest here, who was

Dean of Saint Patrick’s from 1713

- 1745.

Also, the world-renowned

Handel’s Messiah received its

first performance in 1742 sung

by the combined choir of Saint

Patrick’s and Christ Church.

The real places andtours of interest

A walking tour

As Dublin is relatively small; a walking tour is probably the best way to

experience Dublin up close. Some of the better tour guides are, Pat

Liddy walking tours and Hidden History walking tours.

Hidden History also operate the Ghost Bus, which takes the tours

along ‘haunted’ places in Dublin, more comedic than scary but

they interlude with genuine history too and it stops along a famoustraditional pub called Gravediggers.

Another interesting walking tour is Le Cool Dublin which focuses on

the ‘here and now’ of the city. Learn about hidden new cultural gems

in the city, from a gallery to a hidden coffee shop - to pop-up cultural

spaces. Something different for sure.

www.christchurchdublin.ie www.walkingtours.ie www.hiddendublinwalks.com



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Dublin City Hall

Originally, built in 1779, the

atmospheric vaults of Dublin

City hall host a multi-media

exhibition, which traces over one

thousand years of Dublin history

from the arrival of the Vikings to

the modern Dublin we know and

love today. Admission is €4.

Trinity College &Book of Kells

Walking tours are available of

Trinity College, which include an

admission fee to view the Book

of Kells.

Observing the intricate detail

is incredible. But there is also

an entire exhibit about how the

book was made, the history of

the proposed authors, and anhistorical analysis of the artwork

and details throughout the book.

Not to mention experiencing the

beautiful surroundings and old

library of Trinity College.

Guinness Tour

Synonymous with Ireland, the

Guinness brand is one of the

most recognised in the world, so

you can imagine that this tour is

quite popular with tourists.

To note, it is a self-guided

multi-media tour with a strong

commercial element to it, but

there is a good view from the topof the storehouse and, word has

it, the best pint of Guinness in

Dublin.

Telecity - Dublin Pocket Guide 554 TelecityGroup - Dublin Pocket Guide

www.tcd.ie/Library/bookofkells/trinity-tours

www.guinness-storehouse.com www.dublincastle.ie


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A real short history

Although Ireland was first settled during the Mesolithicperiod around the year 8000 BC, Dublin was foundedmuch later, with the Vikings laying its first streets in 841 AD.

The Vikings ruled Dublin for over

150 years, only being defeated in

1014 AD by Brian Boru (the last

King of Ireland) at the Battle of

Clontarf.

After the Battle the Clontarf,

the Vikings of Dublin continued

to work, live and trade with the

Irish but with less power. They

had enough power however to

initiate Christ Church Cathedral

in 1030 AD, but as a wooden

church, it didn’t stand the test

of time. After the Normans

invaded and seized Dublin in

1169 (led by Strongbow), they

drove the majority of the Vikings

out of Dublin. The Normans also

rebuilt Christchurch cathedral in

a Gothic style, where the presentstructure still stands today.

In 1171 Henry II landed with a

great army, and made Dublin

the capital of the Normans’

Irish territory and the heart of

the Norman & English colony.

King Henry ‘granted, to his men

of Bristol (England), his city of

Dublin to be inhabited, together

with all the liberties and free

customs they had at Bristol andthroughout his entire

land’.

In 1224, Ireland’s

national cathedral,

Saint Patrick’s

Cathedral was built in

honour of Ireland’s patron saint.

It stands adjacent to the famous

well where, tradition has it, Saint

Patrick baptised converts on his

visit to Dublin.

From the 14th to 18th centuries,

Dublin was incorporated into the

English Crown and, for a time,

became the second city of theBritish Empire.

Dublin remained a relatively small

walled medieval town and was

under constant threat of raids

from the surrounding native

clans.

Dublin continued to prosper

in the 16th Century and boasts

one of the oldest universities

in the British Isles & Ireland,Trinity College, which

was founded by Queen

Elizabeth I.

Dublin grew even more

rapidly during the 18th

century with many

Ha’penny Bridge

Henry II




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From a political and economic

perspective, this meant the Irish

government representatives

could not pass laws directly.

The city would not regain

its power until it claimed

independence in 1922 after the1916 uprising and subsequent

War of Independence, which

led to the Irish Free State. On

21st January 1919 the first Dáil

of Ireland was convened in

the Mansion House and the

Declaration of Independence

was passed. Dublin was declared

the Capital City of the Irish Free

State and in 1949, the Capital of

the Republic of Ireland.

As the seat of English

administration, Dublin was the

setting for many key eventsduring the Irish struggle for

independence so there is a

number of historic buildings to

discover, such as the General

Post Office on O’Connell Street,

Dublin Castle and Kilmainham

Gaol, where history comes alive.

famous districts and buildings

added, such as Merrion Square,

Parliament House and

the Royal Exchange,

later to become

Dublin City Hall.

Ireland’s most famous

brand, Guinness stout

was first brewed in1759.

Towards the end of the 18th

century, O’Connell Bridge and

Kilmainham Gaol had been built

and by 1800 the population had

swollen to 180,000 – one tenth of

the size it is today.

The 19th Century saw Dublin

suffering a steep political and

economic decline with

the seat of government

moving to Westminster

in 1800 under the Act Of

Union.

This Act essentiallyformed a new country

(“The United Kingdom of Great

Britain and Ireland”), uniting

England, Wales, Ireland and

Scotland. All regional parliaments

were abolished, and instead the

entire UK was to be ruled from a

centralised London parliament.


St Patrick


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Theatre

and LiteratureDublin has a rich theatre and artsscene, with a host of options from

comedy, music, film and theatre,

dance and exhibitions.

From intimate comedy gigs in places like the

International Bar to a wider audience with

better known names in Vicar Street, there is

always some sort of comedy event in Dublin

– literally every night of the week.

Cinemas are plentiful, alternative locations

such as the IFI, Brooks Private Cinema and

the Lighthouse offer an interesting twist on

the typical multi-screen standard cinemas.

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The Real Theatres

Dublin has a strong tradition in theatricalexperiences and a thriving theatre scene.

Visitors often enjoy theatre performances at theworld class Abbey, Gaeity or Gate Theatre.

For a different perspective, you can also sample a show at the

annual Fringe Festival (held in September every year).

Upcoming theatre listings

www.entertainment.ie

The Gate Theatre,

North Dublin

www.gatetheatre.ie

The Gaiety Theatre,

Stephens Green

www.gaiety.ie

The Abbey Theatre www.abbeytheatre.ie

Alternative Theatre

www.projectartscentre.ie

Fringe Festival

www.fringefest.com



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Trinity College(The Old Library &

Berkeley Library)

Trinity College is entitled to a free

copy of every book published

in either Ireland or the United

Kingdom so it is no surprise that

nearly 5 million printed volumes

are held in the various libraries

both on and off campus.

The splendid old library of Trinity

is a wonder to behold for book

lovers whilst the nearby BerkeleyLibrary provides more reading

opportunity, though in a less

opulent setting.

www.tcd.ie/Library

The Dublin Writers’Museum

Swift, Sheridan, Shaw, Wilde,

Yeats, Joyce and Beckett are

among those presented in the

Dublin Writers’ Museum through

their books, letters, portraits and

personal items.

This museum holds exhibitions,

lunchtime theatre and readings

to help the literature lover

discover, explore and appreciateDublin’s vast literary heritage.

Admission is €7.50.

www.writersmuseum.com

The real literary virtuosity

Literature is at the heart of Dublin with writers fromevery genre calling Dublin their home for centuries.

It’s no surprise then, that Dublin was named as a UNESCO City of

Literature in 2010.

Acclaimed writer & Man Booker Prize winner, Anne Enright, once said,

“In other towns, clever people go out and make money.

In Dublin, clever people go home and write their books.”



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Patrick KavanaghExcerpt from

Canal Bank Walk

“Leafy-with-love banks and the green waters of the canal

Pouring redemption for me, that I do

The will of God, wallow in the habitual, the banal,

Grow with nature again as before I grew...”

Brendan KennellyExcerpts from

Begin

“...Begin to the treasures that we have squandered,

To the profit and loss, the pleasure and pain,

Begin to the knowledge that tomorrowIs another beginning for every one...”

“...Though we live in a world that thinks of ending,

That always seems about to give in,

Something that will not acknowledge conclusion

Insists that we forever begin.”



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The Real Dublin is a guide to showcase Dublin’sinimitable culture, history and unique attractions.

Dublin is much more than the best location for

hosting digital assets and this book will guide you every

step of the way to make the most out of your stay.

The Real Dublin Visitor Guide

Documents