What to do in Dublin City

Ireland's most prestigious university was founded by Elizabeth I in 1592 in the hope of offering Dublin’s sons a reason to pursue their studies at home, away from the infectious threat of popery on the continent.

St. James’s Gate Brewery has been home to Guinness since 1759. The impressive building, formerly the Guinness fermentation plant, has been remodelled into the shape of a giant pint of the “black stuff”.

Follow the signs to “Faiche Stiabhna”, as the Irish call St. Stephen’s Green, for an inner-city oasis. Admire the Victorian buildings, play soccer, throw a frisbee, watch people, jog, feed the ducks, doze or have a picnic in this popular Dublin park. You could also bring a novel written by one of Dublin’s great authors and read it at the very spot where they found their inspiration!

O’Connell Street is among Dublin’s busiest and recognizable parts. It consists of a wide boulevard divided by spaces for trees and works of art. Admire the many historic buildings and peruse the upscale boutiques that line this busy street.

Opened in 2010, the stadium was built on the site of the old Lansdowne Road Stadium, which was dismantled in 2007. When you arrive, you’ll see from its dauntless but delicate curves just what a modern architectural marvel this is – the Aviva Stadium has even won a prestigious British Construction Industry Award. With a capacity for a whopping 50,000 spectators, the stadium’s sheer size alone is a sight to behold.

Among the most exclusive spots in European retail, Grafton Street is a boulevard full of upscale boutiques and restaurants. It is one of the two main commercial parts of Dublin and has an international array of big names. Yet the street retains its local charm with well-known street performers and traditional pubs. Bring cash and credit cards for a trip through the street’s upscale boutiques.

A World-Famous StadiumCroke Park certainly is impressive, however. It’s Ireland’s largest stadium, and with the capacity to seat 82,000 sporting fans, it is the fourth largest in Europe. During matches the noise and chants from the crowd can be heard all over the city of Dublin.

The O2 is the biggest indoor venue in the Republic of Ireland, with a capacity of 14,500, reducing down to 9,500 for those occasions when the front rows of a gig simply have to be a moshpit!

While most of the building dates to the 1800s, its ancient heritage is still evident in the ancient Record Tower. This sole surviving element of Dublin Castle’s medieval origins is a magnificent stone stalwart. It is the perfect complement to the adjoining 19th century Chapel Royal, built in the Gothic Revival style.