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Attractions in Dublin
Custom House/ Custom House Quay
878-7660
Mar.-Oct. 10-5 Mon.-Fri. 2-5 Sat., Sun.
Admission charged.
The Custom House, the most magnificent building in Dublin, was planned in secret by local merchants who were eager to keep the ships coming all the way into the commercial heart of the city after the old building had been outgrown.
The foundation stone was laid quietly in August of that year, in spite of mobs hired by the opposition to attack the builders and their work. The architect, James Gandon, received threatening letters and found it advisable to carry a sword when he visited the building site.Despite the death of Gandon's wife early in the work, and a fire in the partly completed building, the new Customs House opened in 1791. Gandon, stayed in Ireland for the rest of his life. He later designed the Four Courts and the Kings Inns.
Four Courts Inns Quay
872-5555
Admission Free.
Home to the Irish law courts since 1796 and also on the north of the Liffey, they were designed by Custom House architect, James Gandon. The four law courts were those of Chancery, King's Bench, Exchequer and Common Pleas. Despite political intrigues and a history of blockages and objections, the building was opened in 1796 and completed in 1802.
In 1922, at the outbreak of Civil War in Ireland, anti-treaty forces occupied the Four Courts. After a siege of two months, Government forces opened fire with field guns, causing massive damage.
The scars of the encounter are still visible on the columns of the portico. The three-day battle ended with a huge explosion and fire which destroyed the dome and the nearby Public Records Office with its irreplaceable contents. Many of Ireland's historical records, including wills and other official deeds, were destroyed . Since then, the building has been beautifully restored.
Inside is a magnificent central hall, sixty-four feet across and usually busy with lawyers in their traditional wigs and gowns. To the right of the entrance is a panel with more detailed information about the building and its history. There are fine views of the city from the upper rotunda of the central building. Open only when the Courts are in session.
Trinity College and Dublin Experience
Dublin 2 677-2941
Old Library and Book of Kells open 9:30-5 Mon.-Sat. 9 and noon-4:30 Sun. Admission charged. Children Free.
Dublin Experience open 9:15-5:45 daily May-Oct.
Admission charged
Trinity College is uppermost in the list of attractions south of the river. It is wise to arrive early in the day to avoid crowds. Founded by Elizabeth I in 1592, the university complex contains a campanile and many glorious old buildings. A major attraction is the library containing the Book of Kells: an illuminated manuscript of the Gospels dating from around 800 AD, making it one of the oldest books in the world.. The library houses some three million books in buildings constructed between 1712 and 1732.
Bank of Ireland and House of Lords
2 College Green
Dublin 2
661-5933
10-4 Mon-Wed, Fri. 10-5 Thurs. Guided tours Free . Admission Free. Originally built to house the Irish Parliament, the fine wood paneling and vaulted ceiling add an air of grandeur to the House of Lords. Eighteenth century tapestries depict scenes from Irish history. The Parliament was abolished in 1800 with the Act of Union and Francis Johnston converted the buildings for use as a bank.
Dublinia Christchurch,
Dublin, 8
6794611
Bus Number 50 from Eden Quay; Bus Number 78A from Aston Quay
April - September 10- 5 daily; October - March: 11 - 4 ; Monday to Sat., 10 - 4.30 Sunday and Bank Holidays
Admission charged.
Dublinia has been developed by The Medieval Trust to recreate the formative period in the city's growth from the arrival of the Anglo Normans in 1170 to the closure of its monasteries by Henry VIII in 1540. It is situated in a beautifully preserved building in the heart of the old city, next to Christchurch Cathedral, to which it is linked by a bridge. Journey through time and experience the drama and magic in life-like displays of memorable episodes in Dublin's history over 400 years. A scale model of the city, shows the location of public buildings and the layout of the streets. Life-size reconstructions illustrate the city environment of the Middle Ages. As a finale to the exploration of Dublin's past, climb the 17th century St Michael's Tower for a unique panoramic view of modern Dublin.
St Patrick's Cathedral
Patrick's Close; Lower Dublin 7
475-4817
9-6 Mon.-Fri. April-Oct.; 9-11AM and 12:30-3PM Sat.
Services: 8:30 daily and 11:45AM Sunday.
St. Patrick's is the oldest Christian site in Dublin. It is said that it was built on the grounds where St Patrick baptized converts during the 5th century. The present building dates from 1190 (or possibly 1225). Writer Jonathan Swift was dean here from 1713-1745, and his tomb is in the church. The cathedral choir school dates back to 1432, and is still in existence.
Dublin Castle
Dame Street 677-7129 Bus 49; 50; 54A; 77; 77A
10-5 Mon-Fri. 2-5 Sat; Sun.
Admission charged
More a palace than a fort, it was originally built on the orders of King John in 1204. The state chambers contain a large collection of antiques. The castle has been rebuilt, renovated and extended. Deep scars in the stone work can be seen in the Guardroom at the main entrance. They are the result of bayonet sharpening by the guards during the 950 years of British rule. Many of the state apartments are open to the public. The Chapel Royale is an elaborate area designed and decorated in 1814 in the neo-Gothic style. It contains some 90 carved heads of famous historical figures. The interior has lavish plaster vaulting and carved oak galleries.
Temple Bar
An area of the city that has been renovated in recent years and now contains many restaurants and pubs that have become the center of Dublin's nightlife. It is located behind Dame Street and offers excellent views of the River Liffey. In addition to the restaurants and pubs there is also the Irish Film Center which shows a wide range of rare films and the Art House, a multimedia center where one can surf the Net The well known Irish rock band U2 performs at The Kitchen nightclub in the Temple Bar area. Rounding out the offerings are a number of trendy shops, book stores, antique shops and boutiques.
National Museum of Ireland.
Kildare Street Dublin 2
677-7444
DART Pearse Station/ bus 10,11,13 or Museumlink.
10-5 Tues.-Sat. 2-5 Sunday Admission: Free
This is one of Dublin's most popular attractions. It is split between the 19th century building on Kildare Street and the newer section at the restored Collins Barracks (see below)
The Kildare Street site concentrates on archeological material and artifacts relating mostly to Ireland. There is a permanent display of Bronze Age Irish gold and another of metalwork from the Iron Age to the Middle Ages. There are also displays of artifacts from prehistoric and Viking Ireland and from ancient Egypt.
National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks
Collins Barracks Benburb Street,
Dublin 7
677-7444
Buses: 90 (from Busaras, Connolly and Tara Street DART station) , 25, 25A, 66, 67 (from Middle Abbey Street)
Open: Tuesday to Saturday 10 - 5, Sunday 2 - 5 Closed Good Friday
On display are artifacts ranging from weaponry, furniture, folk life and costumes to silver, ceramics and glassware.
Natural History Museum
Merrion Street, Dublin, 2
6777444
Buses: 7, 7A, 8 (Burgh Quay). Nearest DART Station: Pearse Station (Westland Row) or Museumlink.
Tues.-Sat. 10 - 5, Sunday 2 - 5 . Closed Good Friday
Admission: Free
The Natural History Museum which is part of the National Museum of Ireland, is a zoological museum containing collections illustrative of the wild life, both vertebrate and invertebrate, of Ireland. Skeletons of two whales found stranded on the Irish coast are suspended from the roof.
National Gallery of Ireland
Merrion Square West, Dublin 2
661-5133 Fax: 661-5372
DART Pearse station/ bus 5,6,7,7A and 10 10-5:15 Mon-Fri., Sat. Thurs. 10-8:30 Sun. 2-5 Admission: Donation
Ireland's National Gallery houses a premier collection of European and Old Master works from the 14th - 20th centuries. George Bernard Shaw was a major benefactor. There is also an excellent collection of the work of Irish masters. Jack Yeats, Roderic O'Connor, William Arpen, Nathaniel Hone and Walter Osborne are all represented. Caravaggio's "The Taking of Christ" is on permanent display. There is a multimedia center where the collection can be researched via computer.
Heraldic Museum
2 Kildare Street
677-7444
Bus 10,11,13
10:00-8:30 Mon.-Wed. 10:30-4:30 Thurs.,Fri. 10:30-12:30 Sunday
Admission: Free
The museum is an integral part of the National Library, and is housed in a colorful mid-nineteenth century building, the former Kildare Street Club. Decorative birds and monkeys playing billiards and musical instruments form the window carvings. Modern banners of Ireland's ancient chieftains hang from the ceiling. Visitors seeking to trace their Irish ancestry and family history can make inquiry at the Consultancy Service at the National Library itself which is located just a few doors away.
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