Situated on the east coast of Ireland, Dublin is one of the most vibrant cities in Europe. Dublin's attraction as a weekend break destination has grown in popularity over the last decade and now stands as one of the most popular weekend destinations in Europe. The unique character of Dublin is one of the most compelling reasons to visit Dublin.
With so much on offer, it can be hard to decide where best to spend your time during a visit to Dublin. There are museums, exhibitions and beautiful architecture everywhere you look. The following list provides information on 10 things that should not be missed.
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1 - Guinness Store House
The Guinness Store House is located in St James's Gate in Dublin, and is easily accessible by foot from Dublin City Centre, by bus or by tram.
The Storehouse is located in the hearth of the famous Guinness Brewery in Dublin and is the top tourist attraction in Ireland. Since the Storehouse opened in 2000, it has received over 4million visitors. The Storehouse traces the history of Guinness and its creator, Arthur Guinness who established the Guinness Brewery in 1759. Arthur signed a 9,000 year lease for the brewery in Saint James's Gate at a cost of £45 per Annum. The Storehouse was originally built in 1904 to house the fermentation process of creating Guinness. Like many buildings in Ireland during that period, the design followed the Chicago style of architecture with massive steel beams being the main support structure. Until 1988 the fermentation process was housed in the Storehouse.
The Storehouse spans 7 storeys which take you from the main ingredients in a pint of Guinness to the amazing Gravity Bar which provides 360 degree views over Dublin City. Each floor takes you though a different aspect of the world famous Guinness Brewery until you reach the Gravity Bar.
2- Temple Bar
Temple Bar is located on the South Side of the River Liffey and between the two major shopping districts in Dublin, Grafton Street and Henry Street. Access from all over Dublin is very straight forward by bus, car, tram or foot as Temple Bar is essentially situated in the hearth of Dublin.
Temple Bar is surrounded by Dame Street and The River Liffey to the South and North respectively. The area more than likely got its name from the Temple family who lived in the area during the 17th Century. The area began a long and slow decline into urban decay during the 19th Century and at one stage was in danger of being knocked down and a bus terminal being built in its place. During the early 1990s the Irish Government set up a not-for-profit company to oversee the regeneration of the area as Dublin's Cultural Quarter. Since then, the area has gone from strength to strength and is now of the major tourist hot spots in Dublin.
While Temple Bar is the Cultural Quarter in Dublin, it is also home to more than its fair share of restaurants, bars and shops. At night the area is flooded with nightlife revellers and stag / hen parties while by day the area takes on a more normal facade. Without doubt you should visit Temple Bar and sample some of the famous public houses, but the area can become very crowded and you might be better off heading to another pub in Dublin City Centre.
3 - Grafton Street
Grafton Street is located on the South Side of Dublin City and is very accessible by bus, car, tram or by foot. Grafton Street runs from College Green beside Trinity College to St Stephens Green and is a pedestrian only street.
Grafton Street was named after the first Duke of Grafton who was the owner of the land in the area. Grafton Street grew out of a country lane and was developed by the Dawson family in 1708. Most of the street was pedestrianised in the 1980s and has remained so to this day. At the bottom of Grafton Street stands the statue of Molly Malone which has become a very popular meeting point for Dubliners.
The main attraction to Grafton Street is shops. Grafton Street offers everything from Marks and Spencer’s to Brown Thomas exclusive department store. At the top of Grafton Street is St Stephens Green Shopping Centre which houses over 100 shops under one roof.
4 - National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts
The National Museum of Ireland is situated at Collins Barracks in Dublin. The museum is easily reached by Luas which passes by the front door. The Luas runs from Abbey Street in Dublin City Centre and is a reliable way of travelling around Dublin cheaply. The National Museum of Ireland is split into three sections, Archaeology & History, Decorative Arts & History and Natural History.
The Decorative Arts & History aspect of the National Museum of Ireland is situated in Collins Barracks and contains a wide range of artefacts including weapons, furniture, silver, glassware, ceramics and dress costumes. There is no shortage of exhibitions and educational offerings held in the National Museum of Ireland.
Guided tours are offered for a cost of €2 per person with each tour accommodating a maximum of 30 people per tour. The tour takes roughly 45 minutes and will take you on an interesting and educational tour of the museum.
5 - Dublin Castle
Dublin Castle is situated just off Dame Street in Dublin City Centre and is easily accessed by bus, foot or taxi. The castle is now a major Irish Governmental conference centre and hosts many significant international meetings annually.
The history of Dublin Castle is fascinating. Most of what constitutes the current castle dates back to the 18th Century although a castle has been situated on this spot since the days of the first Lord of Ireland during the 12th Century. During British Rule in Ireland Dublin Castle was the centre of the occupational force. When the Irish Free State was established in 1922, Dublin Castle was handed over to Michael Collins during a ceremony.
Today you can avail of guided tours of the State Apartments which are located in the south part of the Great Courtyard. These apartments were used to house the Vice Regal Court and today are used to accommodate visiting dignitaries.