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Edinburgh Area
Dublin is famous for its literary celebrities such as James Joyce, Jonathan Swift and Oscar Wilde. A visit to Dublin takes you from the historical to the hip in a matter of just a few short blocks. Here, there is something to interest the most diverse group of travelers; from castles and churches to cafés and clubs. One of the easiest capital cities to navigate, Dublin is a great place to hit a pub, pull up a stool, order a pint and enjoy some "craic" - Irish for "fun, enjoyment or lighthearted mischief; often in the context of drinking or music."
Highlights of Dublin
- Temple Bar
- The Book of Kells
- Dublin Castle
- Phoenix Park
Historical Sites
Kilmainham Gaol is a former jail that is now run as a museum and has played an important part in Irish history. First built in 1796, Kilmainham Gaol was called the "New Gaol" to distinguish it from the old jail it was intended to replace which was just a few hundred meters from the present site. During the 140 years it served as a prison, its cells held many of the most famous people involved in the campaign for Irish independence. The leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising were held and executed here.
Kilmainham Gaol was abandoned as a jail in 1924 and following a lengthy restoration process, it now houses a museum on the history of Irish nationalism and offers guided tours of the building.
Christ Church Cathedral is the elder of the city's two cathedrals, the other being St. Patrick's Cathedral. It has been the cathedral of the Church of Ireland, since the Irish Reformation. Christ Church Cathedral is located in the heart of medieval Dublin.
Guinness Storehouse - The Irish Guinness brewery dates back to 1756, the year it was founded by Arthur Guinness. Guinness signed a 9000 year lease on the building and the original charter can be seen embedded in the floor of the Storehouse today. Visitors follow a self-guided tour through the brewing process from start to end, including a spectacular display of past marketing campaigns. The tour culminates with an included pint of the "black stuff" in the Gravity Bar. Visitors can also learn the art of the Guinness "slow pour" and pour their own pint!
Trinity College was founded by Queen Elizabeth I in 1592. This college is the sole constituency of the oldest university in Ireland, the University of Dublin. Trinity College maintains a consistent position in the top 100 universities of the world. Trinity has the biggest research library in Ireland with 4.25 million books. It is the national library of Northern Ireland and the UK. That gives it the legal right to own a copy of every book published in these territories. Trinity students give tours of the grounds and buildings on a daily basis and visitors can also visit the famous Book of Kells, one of the most beautifully illustrated manuscripts still surviving today, and the Old Library.
Activities
Literary Pub Crawl
The Dublin Literary Pub Crawl is a 2 hour pub tour that visits four different pubs while two actors introduce famous Dublin writers and perform scenes from their works. ISE Cardholders receive a discount of €2.
Irish Musical Pub Crawl
The Traditional Irish Musical Pub Crawl is led by two professional musicians who perform tunes and songs while telling the story of Irish Music and its influences on contemporary world music. You will visit famous pubs and bars in the Temple Bar area. ISE Cardholders receive a discount of €2.
Historical Walking Tour
In just 2 hours, this award-winning and entertaining 'seminar on the street' conducted by history graduates of Trinity College, explores the main features of Irish history - Dublin's development, the influence of the American and French Revolutions, the Potato Famine 1845-49, the 1916 Rising, the War of independence, partition - and concludes with the current peace process. ISE Cardholders receive a discount of €2.
Dublin City Sightseeing
Hop on any red open top bus and the friendly, award winning tour guides will insure that you leave Dublin with the fondest of memories. Explore Ireland´s capital city at your leisure with your 24hr valid City Sightseeing ticket and enjoy a mix of audio commentary or live commentary by our local guides. ISE Cardholders receive a 20% discount when booking online!
Places to Stay
Hostels
There are a wide variety of places to stay in Dublin. To search for hostels online with full descriptions, photos and availability features, please click here. The $2 reservation fee will be waived when booking through this site.
Places to Eat
There are many interesting and unique restaurants in Dublin. However, the prices range from expensive to really expensive. For a moderately inexpensive but tasty meal, sample the local pub grub. For €10-15 (inexpensive for Dublin!) you can get a nice hearty meal and a pint. There are thousands of pubs all around Dublin, so you'll have plenty of options to choose from!
Getting Around
The easiest way to get around in Dublin is on foot. But you can also take the luas, the light rail system, or the extensive bus system.
Moving On
Air
Dublin airport is the busiest airport in Ireland. Flights from every major European city and many major international cities fly into Dublin Airport, which is only a 15 minute taxi ride or 30 minute bus ride from the center of town.
Ferry
Ferry service is also available from Ireland to Ireland, Britain, France and Holland.
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