Guinness Storehouse

Trinity College offers a welcome haven from the hustle and bustle of Dublin and it is one ivory tower you’d be happy to be trapped in for a long time.

Dublin is home to two drink brands that have spread their marque, and made their mark, all over the world. And both are keen to share their heritage, induct you into the mysteries of their production and ply you with their wares on guided tours. There’s the Guinness Storehouse where the black stuff is promoted and there’s Smithfield’s Old Jameson Distillery where the rather more potent stuff is celebrated.

The Millenium Bridge, built to commemorate the start of a new millennium, crosses the River Liffey in Dublin, joining Eustace Street in Temple Bar to the north quays in the city centre. It has become an iconic symbol of Dublin, inspired by its timeless neighbours and designed with a modern twist, and is a point of interest for visitors to Ireland’s capital.

Ordinarily, it might be thought a little unusual to recommend to any visitor to the Republic of Ireland a sightseeing tour of a branch of the Bank of Ireland. However, this is Dublin, where the rest of the world’s rules clearly do not apply.

On Dame Street, south of the River Liffey in the heart of Dublin, stands the mighty architectural achievement that is Dublin Castle, parts of which date back to 1200. Over the centuries Dublin Castle has been a fortress and treasury, a royal palace and a prison. Prior to Irish independence in the 1920s, it was also the centre of British rule in Ireland. Today, Dublin Castle is a government building and significant historic emblem.

Once you’ve attended a concert at Dublin’s superb O2, there’s no going back to theatre-style venues where the seating is arranged in regular rows. The audience and artist friendly design of the O2 amphitheatre is often likened to that of Rome’s Coliseum, with blocks of seats emanating out like a great fan from the impressive stage.

If you’re heading to Dublin for a rugby or football match at the Aviva Stadium, then you’re in for a real treat. Situated just south of Dublin’s bustling city centre, the Aviva Stadium is a state-of-the-art, four-tiered sports stadium and concert venue, located on the rushing River Dodder not far from Ireland’s east coast.

Ireland is renowned around the world for its incredible golf courses, and they don’t come much better than the Grange Golf Club. This amazing course is located just 15 minutes from the centre of Dublin. Lying in the foothills of the Dublin Mountains, there are incredible views and a tranquillity that’s hard to imagine so close to a major urban area.

The Liffey Valley Shopping Centre is one of Ireland’s largest shopping and leisure destinations, offering a fantastic range of retail and entertainment options all under one roof, just minutes from the centre of Dublin.

Head to the centre of Dublin for a hint of the town’s historic past at the picturesque Clontarf Castle. Built in the 1830s, this stoic Georgian country house stands on the site of a much older building. In fact, the history of the area dates all the way back to the 11th Century, when the original medieval Clontarf Castle stood here.

Winner of no less than three major awards for its achievements in live music, Vicar Street in Dublin is the epitome of cool. Opened in 1998, Vicar Street has moved from strength to strength over the years, while retaining the relaxed atmosphere that made it such a success in the first place. This cutting edge music and arts venue lies on Thomas Street at the heart of Dublin.

There is one thing that truly keeps the crowds coming to Trinity College in Dublin, which is a shame because the college has a lot to offer. Yet, it’s understandable: the Book of Kells is awe-inspiring and testament to the dedication, craftsmanship and sheer genius of collective creativity at its best.

Phoenix Park is so important to Dublin that it has its own law on the statute books and visitors should be aware that one provision of this is that “no person shall act contrary to public morality in the Park”. So watch your Ps and Qs!

Croke Park in Dublin is so much more than an impressive sports stadium. “Croker”, as it is locally known, is in many ways is a bastion of Irish identity that protects the spirit of Gaelic games from forces seeking to dislodge it. If this all sounds a bit dramatic you should take the fantastic Croke Park Experience tour to get a very real sense of just how important and deeply ingrained the GAA and Gaelic games are to Ireland’s sense of itself.

St. Luke’s Hospital, Rathgar, Dublin, has been specialising in treating cancer patients for over half a century. Opened back in 1952, the hospital was created by the Cancer Association of Ireland and has become the primary national centre for radiotherapy.

Originally founded in 1854 as part of the Catholic University of Ireland, then reformed in 1880 and declared a university in its own right in 1908, University College Dublin is one of the Republic of Ireland’s oldest and most prestigious education institutions.

Situated on the north side of Dublin, Dublin City University is close to Dublin Bay and the River Liffey and is home to some of Ireland’s largest performance spaces. It is a justifiably popular point of interest for visitors travelling to Ireland’s bustling capital.

The Spire, also known as the Monument of Light and the Millennium Spire, is a contemporary structure, towering 394 feet over O'Connell Street in Dublin.

There’s definitely no shortage of things to keep you entertained during a trip to Dublin, and musical theatre is no exception. The Gaiety Theatre in particular is a must for any showbiz fan. Located just south of the River Liffey at the heart of Dublin, this 2,000-seat Victorian theatre is the oldest in the Irish capital and has been entertaining audiences for nearly 150 years.

Situated just a few miles to the south of Dublin city centre, Marlay Park is a vast 300 acre public park filled with serene woodlands, water features and some excellent walking trails. There are also some dedicated recreational spaces in the form of a 9-hole golf course, tennis courts, football and cricket pitches, and even a miniature railway.

At the heart of the bustling Dublin theatre scene you will find the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre. Officially the largest theatre in Ireland, its opening in 2010 heralded a new era for theatre – not just in Dublin, but across Ireland. For the first time, the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre allowed exceptional quality local and international theatrical productions to come to Ireland.

You will be hard pressed to find a building in Ireland that compares to the magnificent Custom House. Opened in 1791, this fine neoclassical building stretches along the northern banks of the River Liffey in central Dublin. Complete with pediments, arches and a 120-feet cupola, the Custom House is a fine example of European neoclassicism.

St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin was built in the 13th Century to honour St. Patrick, who is, of course, the patron saint of Ireland. It is the main cathedral of the Church of Ireland, the Anglican communion.

For a breath of fresh air amid the hustle and bustle of Dublin, a trip to the beautiful Bushy Park is most definitely in order. Nestled on the trickling banks of the River Dodder, Bushy Park hints at what must have once been the area’s wild splendour. Offering a taste of the nearby County Dublin countryside, Bushy Park is all the more special for being situated so centrally.

St. Joseph’s Hospital is located in Raheny, a suburban area of Dublin in the Republic of Ireland. Lying on the banks of the Santry River, St. Joseph’s Hospital is close to St. Malachy’s Football Club and Edenmore Park, as well as the larger St. Anne’s Park. It is not far from the picturesque Dublin coastline.