Dublin – Capital City and County

Dublin, Ireland’s capital, is a city that truly captures the imagination. Steeped in history, combined with a vibrant energy, this place has evolved from humble beginnings as a medieval settlement to having become a world-class and modern cosmopolitan destination, full of its own unique charm. Fine world-class museums and art galleries chronicle Dublin’s long, historic and often times dramatic past, while the restaurants, pubs and cafes are vibrant, as they offer an eclectic mix of traditional and contemporary entertainment.

Throughout the city and county, the visitor will find an abundance of top attractions to discover and explore, from the impressive museums to more modern centres of entertainment. Whether your interest is sport, history, art or literature, whether you want to follow a heritage trail, visit a zoo, eat in a castle or follow in the footsteps of Dublin’s many musical and literary greats, there’s something for everyone in Dublin. Why not discover it for yourself during a holiday break in Ireland.

The county is situated on the east coast of Ireland and just a short journey by car or public transport will whisk the visitor from the bustling city itself to numerous charming coastal towns and villages of the county, which dot the coastline and provide boundless opportunities for craft shopping, water sports, seafood dining and
 picturesque walks, all set against the spectacular backdrop that is Dublin Bay.

The English name for the city is derived from the Irish: “Dubh Linn”, meaning "Black Pool". Dublin is situated near the midpoint of Ireland's east coast, at the mouth of the River Liffey, known in ancient times as “Anna Livia” as refered to by James Joyce in his masterpiece entitled: “Ulysses”. Originally founded as a Viking settlement, Dublin can trace its origins back over 1,000 years, to where it evolved over time to become the island's primary city, we see today. From a small Viking settlement it has flourished into a place rich in cultural heritage. By walking its streets, the visitor will see many reminders of the past, from the beautifully illuminated Book of Kells, dating from 800 AD, to the city’s splendid Georgian architecture, magnificent medieval castles and fine cathedrals. For those interested in history, architecture or the arts or in fact, for anyone who would just like to experience a slice of history and entertainment, Dublin is truly the place to be, as it’s where the fun begins!

Major Visitor Attractions

One of the Capital’s newest monuments is the Spire of Dublin or as it is officially titled: "The Monument of Light". This is a 121.2 metre (398 ft) conical spire made of stainless steel and is located on the city’s premier thoroughfare, O'Connell Street. It replaces Nelson's Pillar, which was a feature of that street for many years and is intended to mark Dublin's place in the 21st century. The spire’s designers sought an "elegant and dynamic simplicity bridging art and technology". During the day, the structure maintains its elegant steel look, whereas at dusk the monument appears to merge into the sky itself. Both the base and pinnacle of the structure are illuminated to provide a beacon in the night sky across the city. The Ha'penny Bridge, an old iron footbridge over the River Liffey is one of the most photographed sights in Dublin and is considered to be one of Dublin's most iconic landmarks. Take time to walk a short distance along the river bank to look across the bridge’s delightful span and avail of a great opportunity for photography, especially at sunset.

The residence of the President of Ireland, Áras an Úachtaráin, located in the Phoenix Park is open to the public on Saturdays only. Free admission tickets are issued at the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre on the day. Formerly known as the Viceregal Lodge during the years of British rule in Ireland, the original house was designed by Nathaniel Clements in the mid-18th century. It was acquired by the administration of the British Lord Lieutenant of Ireland to become his summer residence in the 1780s, his official residence being the Viceregal Apartments in Dublin Castle. The Phoenix Park itself once featured three official state residences, namely, the Viceregal Lodge, the Chief Secretary's Lodge and the Under Secretary's Lodge. The Chief Secretary's Lodge, now called Deerfield, is the residence of the United States Ambassador to Ireland. The Under Secretary's Lodge, now demolished, served for many years as the Apostolic Nunciature.

The dramatically imposing structure that is Dublin Castle is a place steeped in history, whose stout walls could relate many a grim tale if given the opportunity. The Bedford Tower was built over the original twin-towered entrance into Dublin Castle’s main courtyard and was equipped with a portcullis and drawbridge during its time when it also served as a prison. It was from here that the Irish Crown Jewels were mysteriously stolen in 1907, treasures which have never been recovered since! The building later housed the Genealogical Office which has now been relocated to nearby Kildare Street.

The capital’s most fashionable thoroughfare, Grafton Street, features numerous fine examples of Dublin’s rich architecture, none moreso than Bewley's Café which has been a feature of the street since early in the 20th century. The Bewley family began trading in Dublin in 1835, when Charles Bewley imported 2,000 chests of tea into the city. The family business expanded into coffee and finally into coffee shops. The landmark Grafton Street café opened in 1927 with no expense spared on its interior. The famous artist, Harry Clarke created six wonderful stained glass windows at a cost of £60,000, an enormous sum of money even by modern standards. Today, Bewleys on Grafton Street still maintains its traditions of coffee roasting and baking in addition to serving its renowned breakfast offerings. A contemporary mediterranean menu is also available until late evening. Bewleys is open from 7.30am until 10.00pm every day for you to enjoy.

The Book of Kells was written around the year 800 AD and is one of the most beautifully illuminated manuscripts to be found anywhere in the world. Its 680 pages of vellum contain the Latin texts of the Four Gospels. It was crafted by Irish monks, where records in the “Annals of Ulster” relate that in the year 804 the Columban community on the Scottish island of Iona moved that year to Kells, County Meath which then became the principal Irish Columban Order monastery. It was later buried in the ground for fear of the Vikings and after being eventually re-discovered, was deposited for safe keeping at Trinity College in Dublin around 1653. It has been on display in the Old Library at Trinity from the mid-19th century, and attracts over 500,000 visitors each year. Since 1953, it has been bound in four volumes, two of which are on public view, one opened to display a major decorated page, and one to show two pages of script. These volumes are changed at regular intervals. This has to be one of the highlights of any visit to Dublin for visitors and should not be missed.