Overview

Boasting a wealth of attractions, Dublin is both a cultural and fun-loving city. It is home to art galleries, museums, cathedrals, castles and of course plenty of pubs. A visit to the Guinness storehouse is a must for any fan of the drink, while a trip to Kilmainham Gaol will allow visitors an insight into the county's turbulent past.

Dublin Castle

This stunning castle was built in 1204 by King John of England to defend Dublin against attacks from the Tudors and Danes. The castle was used as a prison for much of its early days before being used as the administration centre for British rule in Ireland. It was also the home of the Royal Mint and a weapons store. Today, it is a very popular tourist attraction and a centre of information.

Christ Church Cathedral

This is the oldest building in Dublin, dating back to the 11th century AD. It has a great deal of historical and religious importance as it once lay at the heart of the city. It was fully restored back to its former glory in the 19th century and is a stunning sight, both inside and out. The crypt below the cathedral is even older than the cathedral itself and is a must-see.

Guinness Storehouse

This is one definitely not to be missed by any fan of Guinness. The storehouse is full of interesting facts about Guinness production. It was once home to over 250,000 casks of the drink but today is much more of a museum. It depicts the advertising campaigns by Guinness and also teaches visitors how to pour the perfect pint. There is a bar on site, the Gravity Bar, which offers a great view over the city and is the ideal place to enjoy a few pints.

James Joyce Centre

James Joyce is one of the most famous authors to come out of Ireland and this museum is a tribute to him and his work. Joyce was born in Dublin and one of his most famous works, The Dubliners, is a collection of short stories about life in the city. The museum hosts a number of literary events as well as film screenings, lectures and walking tours of the places named in his work.

National Gallery

The National Gallery boasts a wealth of Irish art through the ages as well as many pieces by international artists. There is a multi-media area within the gallery which boasts touch screen information about each exhibit and there is also a bookstore and café on site.

Trinity College

This famous college is part of the University of Dublin, which is the oldest university in Ireland. It is located in the centre of the city and is open to the public. The grounds of the college are beautiful with cobbled squares and perfectly manicured lawns, while many of the buildings date back to the 16th century. The college is home to the Book of Kells and The Dublin Experience. The lavishly illustrated Book of Kells is a Celtic manuscript written by monks in the 1st century and The Dublin Experience traces the history of the city from Viking times.

National Museum of Ireland

This fascinating museum exhibits everything from archaeology to decorative items. You will find a display on natural history, rural life and politics throughout the ages. There are many artefacts which date back to prehistoric times as well as medieval metalwork, weapons and armour.

Kilmainham Gaol

The gaol is was used to house criminals from the 1780s right through until the 1920s. It once housed leaders of Irish rebellion groups such as the leaders of the Easter Rising and has also been the set for many films including The Italian Job. Today, however, it is unoccupied and open to tourists.

Overview

Active people will not be stuck for something to do on a visit to Dublin. There are countless opportunities to enjoy a range of sports. Whether you prefer to be a spectator or get right in amongst it, there will be something to suit. Gaelic football and hurling are national sports and matches can be seen at Croke Park Stadium during the appropriate seasons. Golf courses can be found in abundance and the River Liffey is home to a number of water based pursuits.

Angling

Despite being considerably polluted for a number of years, the River Liffey has been cleaned up and is a popular spot for fishing. There are a number of pike in the water as well as perch and roach. If you would like to try fishing for salmon, the spot between Lucan and Memorial Park is full of the fish. It is important that all anglers follow the rules carefully and they must obtain a permit.

Gaelic football and hurling

Gaelic football is a mix of soccer and rugby. It is very popular in Ireland and has its own league. Matches can be watched at Croke Park stadium and they are great fun for all sporting fans. Hurling can also be enjoyed at the stadium although the hurling season runs through the summer months only. It is a national sport and matches are great fun, but they are also taken seriously.

Golf

Just 10 minutes outside of the city centre, golf fans will find St Margaret's Golf and Country Club. This is one of the best courses in Ireland and boasts 18 holes and a champion course. There are also practice areas, a conference centre and a restaurant on site. It hosted the womens' open for two years and is popular with golfers of every level.

Hiking

The local mountains, Wicklow, are about an hour away from the city and offer a great place to enjoy some hiking. Centuries ago, the mountains were the notorious hiding place for criminals wanted in the city and were a complete no-go area. Today, however, they are home to an abundance of wildlife, beautiful footpaths and some great trekking opportunities.

Liffey Swim

This annual event attracts people from all around the world every August. It was first held 60 years ago and has grown in popularity every year. People sign up to swim across the River Liffey starting at Watling Street Bridge and finishing at Custom House. A qualifier is necessary for anyone looking to enter and if you don't fancy entering the water yourself, being a spectator is just as much fun as many people turn out in fancy dress.

Dining and shopping

Dining out in Dublin offers the chance to sample some of the best cuisine in the country in some of the top restaurants around. There are literally hundreds of restaurants, cafés, pubs and bars spread throughout the city serving dishes from around the world. Trendy bistro restaurants are becoming increasingly popular, serving up contemporary food in very modern settings. However, while you are in Dublin, there is nothing more apt than visiting a traditional pub and enjoying some home cooked Irish favourites.

There are a number of areas around the city boasting excellent restaurants and while the Temple Bar district is often the busiest, this is also the most expensive. You will find traditional pubs on every street serving up the best in Irish cuisine, while for something a little more multicultural, South William street houses a number of excellent Indian restaurants. Thai and Chinese cuisine is also found in abundance as are the usual fast food haunts.

Some of the most popular Irish dishes include: beef in Guinness, corn beef and cabbage; Mulligan stew (beef or lamb and vegetables) Irish soda bread; boxty (potato pancakes); coddle (a dish specific to Dublin consisting of pork sausages, streaky bacon, onion, potatoes and stock). An Irish breakfast is also a must, coming complete with sausages, bacon, eggs, black and white pudding, soda bread and potato cakes. For an after dinner treat, Irish coffees are very popular and the perfect way to end an evening.

The last decade has seen shopping opportunities improve dramatically in Dublin. The city is now home to large shopping centres, chic boutiques, antique shops, designer outlets and local markets. However, with the increase of high street shops, the traditional shopping experience has seen a decrease, with more people heading to shopping centres and large supermarkets rather than local markets and shops.

Dublin is, however, on a par with most many major cities in the world and if you want to indulge in some retail therapy, you will not be short of options. The best place to head is Grafton street, which has recently been pedestrianised and boasts an abundance of chain shops and malls.

Nassau street is home to a number of souvenir shops and for something traditional, Powerscourt Centre is housed in an 18th century townhouse and houses jewellers, quaint cafés, galleries, alternative fashion outlets and antique dealers. If it's a range of shops you're after, Dundrum shopping centre is the largest in Ireland.

There are a number of markets held in the city on different days of the week. The Saturday Market, in Meeting House Square, sells a wide range of organic homemade food and is a great place to pick up some souvenirs. Cow's Lane Market sells bargain fashion items and Temple Bar Book Market sells a wide variety of new and second hand literature. Market Arcade is perhaps the most popular of all with its vintage fashion stalls, fabric, unique accessories and alternative décor items.

Dublin is home to an enormous selection of restaurants catering to all tastes and budgets. You could eat out every night of the week and still have a number of different cuisines to try. In the centre of the city, restaurants are vying for customers and there are often deals on every night of the week. However, while you are staying here, you should try and sample some home cooked Irish fare. This is especially popular in winter months in a traditional pub with a roaring fire in the background.

Overview

Dublin is very well connected to the rest of the country and the whole of the UK. The main gateway to the city is its international airline, although this is mainly used for short haul flights to destinations throughout the UK. It is a well-equipped facility and as it is only 6kms away from the city centre, taxis are cheap and buses take just 30 minutes. It is a port city and sees many people arriving by sea and then driving once they are on land. The road network throughout Ireland is excellent and Dublin is on one of the main motorways. Once in the city, buses, trams, taxis and trains are available to take tourists to the local sights as well as districts and suburbs close by.

Airports

Dublin International Airport is the main gateway into the city. It is a large single terminal facility offering a wide range of daily flights to many destinations throughout Europe. It is the main hub for Ryanair, which offers flights to and from every major UK airport as well as a number of European cities. Aer Lingus also uses Dublin Airport as its hub, offering a variety of low cost short haul flights. Passengers travelling to or from worldwide destinations such as America, Asia, Africa and Australia usually catch a connecting flight in London.

Dublin Airport is six kilometres away from the city centre, which is easily accessed with a range of ground transfer options. There is a bus station outside Arrivals with a number of different routes and also an express bus which travels to a number of hotels south of the city, taking approximately 30 minutes. There are also taxis on hand and car hire desks inside.

Facilities at the airport include shopping and dining, first aid, information desks, baby changing, disabled access and amenities, lounges and internet. There are over 25 shops to browse in while waiting for the flight and a number of cafés, restaurants and bars to choose from for a snack, meal or just a drink. There are also a number of fast food outlets for those in a rush.

Public transportation

The city boasts an excellent public transport network and it is easily accessed from all parts of Ireland. There are two major railway stations connecting the city with the rest of the Republic and Northern Ireland and these stations are both accessed by trams, buses and taxis. The most common train network is known as DART and offers a fast speed service to destinations along the coast.

Dublin is a port city and as a result many people enter the country by boat. Many UK destinations are accessible from here as well as a range of cities in Ireland. If you are already in Ireland, there is also the option of taking a coach or hiring a car and driving yourself. The capital is on the M50 motorway which is the main motorway in the country.

Once you are in the city, there are trams, buses and taxis. There are two tram lines running through the city and the suburbs and offer a great way to see many of the sights. It is known locally as the Luas. It is possible to get a daily or weekly bus and tram pass which offers unlimited travel throughout the day. Prepaid tickets are the norm, but if you don't have one, you can pay cash (and the exact fare) to the driver as you board the bus or tram. Taxis can be found at stands across the city and can also be flagged down. If you are at a hotel, they can phone and book one in advance for you.