Over the past few days I had a friend visiting from the US.

It was her first time in Dublin, and so I thought we’d play tourist …

A lot of food, walking and a bus tour later … Exhausted, but a great weekend, always so nice catching up with old friends , right!

When I have people over I always start with a day by the sea, simply to remind them we ARE on an island!

this time around we did Dun Laoghaire, but Howth or Bray are both a very good option!

Below, my must see if you are about to visit Dublin for the first time, or if like me you live here and have visitors.

1st on my list, and on everyone else’s list has to be:

The Guiness Store House

No trip to Dublin is complete without a visit to the Guinness Storehouse, it is the most popular attraction in Dublin. The Guinness Storehouse is an impressive building

 

Located in the heart of the St James’s Gate Brewery and home to the black stuff since 1759, this massive seven floor building, a former Guinness fermentation plant, has been remodeled into the shape of a giant pint of Guinness.

A visit will teach you everything you ever wanted to know about the famous Irish beer. The highlight for many visitors is the Gravity Bar you will get a free pint of Guinness and a chance to relax and enjoy the 360-degree of Dublin.

Kilmanhaim jail is one of the historical landmarks in Dublin, but also for the entire country of Ireland.

If you plan on going, book in advance, that’d be my advice. It is a very popular attraction, and so they are often fully booked.

Kilmainham Gaol opened in 1796 as the new County Gaol for Dublin. It closed its doors in 1924.

Today the building symbolizes the tradition of militant and constitutional nationalism. 

Dublin’s Kilmainham Gaol held some of the most famous political and military leaders in Irish history such as Robert Emmet, Charles Stewart Parnell, the 1916 Rising leaders and Eamon de Valera.

Thought it was super interesting historically speaking of course, also gave me shivers just thinking the kind of life/death they could have had in there.

Trinity college and the book of kells

The book of Kells consists mainly of the four Gospels. It gets its name from the monastery of Kells, County Meath, Ireland. The book is believed to have been brought to Kells following a Viking raid on the monastery on the island of Iona, Scotland, in 806.

You can find it in the ‘Long Room’ at trinity college.

Little fun fact about ‘the long room’ , it was the inspiration for a room called the Jedi Archives in “Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones.”

Trinity college, was founded by England’s Queen Elizabeth in 1592, and is stuffed with history.

The campus makes for great people-watching in the summer when students gather outside the Pavilion Bar (known as “The Pav”) to take in a game of cricket.

Dublinia

Dublinia is located right next to Christchurch and is a very cool museum for all ages. 

goes through Viking Dublin, to Medieval Dublin, bringing you back to the way people used to live, eat, dress etc. It was a very fun experience, as well as a learning one.

I highly recommend it!

At Dublinia you will see Dublin from a new perspective and come away knowing more about its citizens throughout the ages!

 

Ghost  bus tour

This must be one of the most fun bus tour I ever did.

The tour lasts 2 hours, the storyteller/tour guide tells spooky stories, takes you to grave sites – if you have a free evening!

Temple bar

Temple Bar is both an area of Dublin, well as an actual bar – Can be confusing I know!

It is located on the south bank of the River Liffey in the city center. It is promoted as Dublin’s cultural quarter and has a very popular nightlife amoungs tourists.

The must see Pubs would be in my opinion, the obvious Temple Bar and the Auld Dubliner. Walk around, there are a lot of different places for every possible taste. The area is also filled with restaurants

GPO (general post office)

Yet another Dublin and Irish historical landmark, that you will be able to spot on O’Connell street on the north side of the city. 

The General Post Office  or GPO in Dublin is the headquarters of the Irish Post Office, it is one of Ireland’s most famous buildings, and was the last of the great Georgian public buildings erected in the capital.

Why is the General Post Office such a Historical landmark you may ask …

During the Easter Rising of 1916, the GPO served as the headquarters of the uprising’s leaders. The building was destroyed by fire in the course of the rebellion and not repaired until the Irish Free State government took up the task some years later. The facade is all that remains of the original building. An original copy of the Proclamation of the Irish Republic was on display in the An Post Museum at the GPO, where an exhibition, Letters, Lives & Liberty, highlighted the history of the Post Office and the GPO.

** What was the Easter rising? Was launched by the Irish republicans to end the Bristish rule in ireland. It was the most significant uprising in Ireland since 1798

Phoenix park, dublin zoo

Phoenix park is so massive, you’ll be impressed! It is the largest urban park in Europe. To give you an Idea it is TWICE the size of Central Park in New York city

On a good day, even though it rains a lot here, on a good day, the park is absolutely great for an afternoon. It is the Residence of President of Ireland , The American Embassy as well as the Dublin Zoo.

As one of the world’s oldest, yet popular zoos, the 28 hectare park in the heart of Dublin is home to some 400 animals in safe environment where education and conservation combine for an exciting and unforgettable experience!

Hope you guys enjoyed the read, of for the tourist and or newbies to Dublin, Enjoy the fun!

 

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