Things to do in Dublin

Things to do in Dublin

Dublin is situated at the mouth of the river Liffey in the province of Leinster. It is the capital and largest city of Ireland and is bordered by the Dublin Mountains.

The city expanded rapidly from the 17th century and was briefly the second largest city in the British Empire after the Acts of Union in 1800. Following independence in 1922, Dublin became the capital of the Irish Free State in 1937.

Dublin is a contemporary and historical centre for Irish education, arts and culture, administration, and industry. As of 2018 the city was listed by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network (GaWC) as a global city.

Sightseeing

Dublin landmarks and monuments dating back hundreds of years. One of the oldest is Dublin Castle, which was first founded in 1204, shortly after the Norman invasion of Ireland. The castle is of typical Norman courtyard design. Sited to the south-east of Norman Dublin, the castle formed one corner of the outer perimeter of the city, using the river Poddle as a natural means of defence.

One of Dublin’s newest monuments is the Spire of Dublin, officially entitled the “Monument of Light. Located on O’Connell Street where it meets Henry Street and North Earl Street, it is intended to mark Dublin’s place in the 21st century.

The Old Library of Trinity College Dublin, holding the Book of Kells, is one of the city’s most visited sites.

The Ha’penny Bridge, an iron footbridge over the river Liffey, is one of the most photographed sights in Dublin and is one of Dublin’s most iconic landmarks.

Other landmarks and monuments include Christ Church Cathedral and St Patrick’s Cathedral, the Mansion House, the Molly Malone statue, the complex of buildings around Leinster House, including part of the National Museum of Ireland and the National Library of Ireland.

Parks

There are many green spaces around the city which include the Phoenix Park, Herbert Park, St Stephen’s Green, Saint Anne’s Park and Bull Island. The Phoenix Park one of the largest walled city parks in Europe. It includes large areas of grassland and tree-lined avenues, a herd of wild fallow deer and residence of the President of Ireland.

The park is also home to Dublin Zoo, Ashtown Castle, and the official residence of the United States Ambassador. Music concerts are also sometimes held in the park.

Saint Anne’s Park is a public park and recreational facility. The second largest municipal park in Dublin, it is part of a former estate assembled by members of the Guinness family.

Other parks in Dublin

Theatres and galleries

Dublin is also the location of key and notable works of James Joyce, including Ulysses and Dubliners.

There are several theatres within the city centre. The best-known theatres include the Gaiety, Abbey, Olympia, Gate, and Grand Canal. The Gaiety specialises in musical and operatic productions, and hosts a variety of live music, dancing, and films.

The Abbey was founded with the aim of promoting indigenous literary talent. It went on to provide a breakthrough for some of the city’s most famous writers.

Dublin is also the focal point for much of Irish art and the Irish artistic scene. The Chester Beatty Library houses a collection of manuscripts, miniature paintings, prints, drawings, rare books and decorative arts drawn from Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and Europe.

Public art galleries include the Irish Museum of Modern Art, the National Gallery, the Hugh Lane Municipal Gallery, the Douglas Hyde Gallery, the Project Arts Centre and the exhibition space of the Royal Hibernian Academy.

Dublin is also home to the National College of Art and Design and Dublin Institute of Design.

Entertainment and nightlife

Dublin has a vibrant nightlife. There are many pubs across the city centre, with the area around St. Stephen’s Green and Grafton Street, especially Harcourt Street, Camden Street, Wexford Street and Leeson Street, the location of many nightclubs and pubs.

The best-known area for nightlife is Temple Bar, south of the River Liffey. The area has become popular among tourists. The areas around Leeson Street, Harcourt Street, South William Street and George’s Street are also popular nightlife spots for locals.