Days out in Dublin
Huge investment into the city of Dublin has spruced up its tall streets and terraces and today it’s a dynamic city brimming with attractions, artefacts, boutiques and boulevards all perfectly offset by a vibrant nightlife.
Renowned as one of Europe’s most down-to-earth and welcoming cities, Dublin’s accessibility exists in a literal sense as well with the airport lying just seven miles north of the city centre. A hop, skip and jump will have you at the heart of the action, so once you’ve checked into your hotel why not start exploring immediately.
You may have heard of O’Connell Street, one of the city centre high streets which was originally designed in the 18th century to be one of Europe’s most elegant avenues. This bustling street contains a string of statues which will make your stroll more interesting and from O’Connell Street you can easily head across the river to visit Trinity College, the oldest university in Ireland. Furthermore, you can take a walking tour to make the most of your visit and see all of the universities grounds.
Founded in 1591 by Elizabeth I, Trinity was built on the site of a confiscated monastery and today contains some of the world‘s most significant and outstanding manuscripts. One of these is the Book of Kells, completed around 800 AD and the only book of its kind to survive from the Middle Ages
If literature lights your fire you will be delighted to hear there is a writers museum (Dublin Writers Museum) which holds an impressive array of photographs, letters and other memorabilia for many of the great writers, poets and playwrights to be borne by Dublin. The impressive list of literary talents includes satirist Jonathan Swift, poet W.B. Yeats, Dracula author Bram Stoker and of course novelist James Joyce, whose works were centred on Dublin.
For another taste of history visit the National Museum which houses a comprehensive exhibition on the 1916 uprising and also contains fine collections from the Bronze and Iron Ages. Just around the corner you will find the National Gallery, which had dedicated several rooms to Irish literary men such as Bernard Shaw as well as a magnificent display of Rembrandts.
If time in museums and galleries has left you longing for some fresh air then a trip to Phoenix Park, the largest urban enclosed park in Europe, may be in order. Stretching across 1,760 acres, the park contains broad expanses of grassland to picnic or sunbathe on, as well as ornamental gardens and nature trails to investigate.
To make the most of the outdoors you may want to consider typical weather patters before booking your flights to Dublin though you can always rest safe in the knowledge there’s always a pub to duck into and enjoy if the weather does take a turn for the worst.
Disclaimer:
The information contained within this article is the opinion of the author and is intended purely for information and interest purposes only. It should not be used to make any decisions or take any actions. Any links are included for information purposes only.
