| Home | Main Menu |
|
Weekend in Dublin
ABOVE: Dublin Castle offers guided tours of the State Apartments, Undercroft, and Chapel Royal.
What to see and do
Cafés, pubs, and restaurants abound, and the convenient location makes a walk through the area a must for any visitor. A warning, though: Temple Bar is also the hub of Dublin's nightlife, so if you're more of a teetotaler than a tippler, you may want to steer clear of the area in the wee hours.
I had the good luck to be visiting Christ Church Cathedral on the Epiphany holiday, and I attended the evening service with my more ecclesiastically-inclined traveling partner--something I would highly recommend, given the opportunity.
If this all seems daunting, don't worry: These attractions are within walking distance of each other. One of Dublin's perks is its compact city center. Bus and tram service are excellent as well. Next page: Getting to and from Dublin
Anders Imboden researched this article while studying Politics at the University of Edinburgh and Scottish Premier League football at Maltings International. |
|
|
| Europe for Visitors - Home | | About us | | Press clippings | | Testimonials | Copyright © 1996-2025 Durant and Cheryl Imboden. All rights reserved. |
Even in just a few days, visitors are
able to see a wealth of attractions, enjoy the local culture, and of course,
relax over a pint of Guinness or many other fine local brews. And with budget
airlines like RyanAir and Aer Lingus still expanding, a short city-break to
Europe's emerald city can cost you less than a meal at a nice restaurant.
Dublin's
most central and historic area is Temple Bar, located on the south side
of the River Liffey, which cuts through the middle of the city. This is the most
tourist-oriented part of town, but its charm is legitimate: the cobblestone
roads, still in their original medieval arrangement, usher visitors by
centuries-old stone and brick buildings. 
Ireland's
deep Christian heritage is well-known, and its most famous churches are well
worth a visit. You might start with Christ Church Cathedral, the seat of the Anglican
Archbishop of Ireland. Parts of the building date back to the 11th century,
though it has undergone a number of expansions, renovations, and restorations in
the years since. Definitely worth seeing is the recently renovated crypt, which
is the largest of any cathedral in the British Isles. 
Dublin's
other medieval cathedral is the Roman Catholic St. Patrick's Cathedral,
which also serves as Ireland's National Cathedral and is the country's biggest
church. Any layman will appreciate the architecture and history in either
cathedral, and both are worth the admission fee for visitors.
If
you prefer a pint to the communion wine, then you should visit the Guinness
Storehouse, home of the legendary brew. It's not cheap, but
there are seven levels of activities and exhibits, culminating in a
complimentary pint in the top-floor Gravity Bar, which features a 360-degree
panoramic view of Dublin.
There
are plenty more attractions in Dublin within the city center. Trinity College
Library displays the Book of Kells, a 9th century manuscript
compiled by Celtic monks. The school's campus is also quite beautiful and worth
exploring. Dublin Castle (see photo at top of page) is a bizarre-looking
collection of historical structures halfway between Christ Church Cathedral and
Trinity College. 
Grafton
Street is a bustling pedestrian corridor known for its shops and cafés. On
the other side of the River Liffey is the world-famous Abbey Theatre,
along with plenty more shops and cafés. 
