The city of Dublin is a treasure trove of history, culture, entertainment and modern conveniences. It has the reputation of a medieval city because it has been around for over a thousand years, added to the medieval reputation is the relaxing charm and alluring attractions that are on offer in the city. But why should you visit Dublin? We will explore some of the highlights of the city.
Places to Visit and Things to Do
If you are in Ireland for one of our massage training courses in Dublin, there are myriad of activities and attractions for you to enjoy. However, you should not leave the city without Visiting Ha’penny Bridge, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Trinity College, Dublin Castle, Temple Bar, partaking in the Dublin Historical Walking tour and visiting the Guinness Storehouse.
The Ha’penny or Half Penny Bridge is an Oval shaped metal bridge that joins Lower Liffey Street to Merchants Arch. The bridge has a length of 43 metres, a width of 3 metres and is 3 metres above the water. The name of the bridge was derived from the toll charged by William Walsh to use the bridge in the early days; he charged people “ha’penny” or half of a penny to use the bridge. William Walsh got a lease on the bridge for one hundred years, since his ferry service was made redundant when the bridge was constructed in 1816. It was the only pedestrian bridge crossing the Liffey River up until 1999; it is one of the most popular landmarks in Dublin, visited by thousands of tourists daily.
Another iconic landmark that requires a visit if you are in Dublin is St. Patrick’s Cathedral. This is a medieval chapel completed in 1260 and is the chapel that St. Patrick baptised converts in the early days. A major renovation was done in the 1870’s, and today it is the site of Remembrance Day ceremonies and other official state occasions. The Chapel is a landmark synonymous with Irish religion and tradition and is worth a visit.
Next is Trinity College. It is Ireland’s oldest college, founded in 1592. The college is known for its impressive architecture and historic buildings. These include; the bell tower, the 30.5-metre-high Campanile, the examination hall, the chapel, graduates memorial building, the museum building, Rubrics – the college’s oldest building, Samuel Beckett Theatre, Douglas Hyde Gallery of contemporary art, the Science Gallery and the Geological Museum. Visiting these locations at Trinity College will give you a nostalgic feel of what life was like at the college over the years and how the most famous college in Ireland evolved throughout the centuries. Also, you will learn about some of the outstanding graduates of the college.
Dublin Castle is another gem in the city this is a medieval Castle etched in the history of Ireland. The Castle has undergone enormous renovations over the years and the only visible part of the original building today is the Great Record Tower. It was built in the 12th century to serve as a defence mechanism for the city of Dublin. It then evolved into a royal residence for the Viceroy of Ireland, served as the parliamentary building of Ireland and temporarily hosted the Supreme Court of Ireland. The Inauguration of Irish Presidents is done in the building. The historic nature of the Dublin Castle makes it one of the most popular tourist attractions in Dublin.
Also, a visit to Dublin would not be complete without visiting Temple Bar. Temple Bar is the cultural capital of Dublin and is home to several cultural institutions – such as The Irish Photography Centre, The Ark Children’s Cultural Centre, The Irish Film Institute, Temple Bar Gallery and Studios, The Project Art Centre, The Gaiety School of Acting and the Irish Stock Exchange. Furthermore, the area is a hub for nightlife – there are several pubs, nightclubs and restaurants in the locale including favourites such as the Temple Bar Pub, The Porterhouse, Foggy Dew and Bad Boys. This area is a must visit for people seeking entertainment and cultural attractions in Dublin. The Dublin Historical Walking Tour is a two-hour guided walking tour, covering Trinity College, The Dublin Castle, Temple Bar among many others interesting places. Visitors will learn about the history of the city from medieval times to the present. It is a great tour to take if you want to see some of the major sites in Dublin in relatively little time.
Finally, probably the most well-known product of Dublin is Guinness. A Guinness Storehouse tour will take you through the history of the company and explain the evolution of Guinness into one of the most iconic beverages in the world. You will also be taught the right way to pour a beer and also afforded the opportunity to sample up to four types of Guinness. A Tour of the Guinness Storehouse will result in you developing a deep appreciation for the role that Guinness has played in Irish culture. If you are feeling peckish afterwards there are some great places to eat around the city.
Getting Around Dublin
In a city like Dublin, with so many interesting sites and activities, accessibility is critical. Dublin has a very efficient public transportation system inclusive of buses and trains. There is an extensive network of public bus routes in Dublin, covering not only the city centre but also the suburbs. Schedule, fare and route information is readily available, and there is also a real-time information service available that shows when buses will arrive at specific stops. This service makes it very easy for visitors to travel around Dublin and to get to the all the sites in the city.
In addition to the bus system, Dublin also has a top-quality train system. There are the iconic Dublin Area Rapid Transit (DART) system and the Luas light rail transit service. DART is an electric rail system that covers the coastline of the city, through the city centre as well as suburbs. It is the fastest way to get around the city and provides an alternative to the buses. The Luas light rail transit service is an intra-city rail service that runs on two lines. The Luas Red runs from Tallaght in the west of the city through the city centre to Point Village in the Docklands. The Luas Green runs from Stephens Green through Ranelagh and Dundrum to Brides’ Glen in the south.
Due to the extremely efficient transportation system in Dublin, getting to the alluring and unique attractions in the city are stress-free. You can pack your bags and take off to Dublin with friends, family or by yourself and enjoy all the offerings. The Ha’penny Bridge, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Trinity College, Dublin Castle, Temple Bar and the Guinness Storehouse provides exceptional experiences, but there is so much more to do in the city!
Recent Comments