Guinness Storehouse
The most entertaining section focuses on the memorable Guinness advertising campaigns used throughout the decades. Although the admission charge is steep (15 euros) it does include a pint of the black stuff at the end of the tour in the circular, glass-walled rooftop 'Gravity Bar'. You have spectacular views of Dublin. Over 65 acres in the middle of the city.
www.guinnessstorehouse.com
St James's Gate, 00353 1 408 4800
Trinity College Library - Book of Kells
Not to miss attraction is the 'Long Room', a breathtaking, barrell-vaulted hall lined with 200,000 old books. You can wander freely round the college's tranquil campus and admire the grand 18th-century buildings or, from May to September, take a student-guided tour. It was established by Elizabeth 1 in 1952 and is a not to miss attraction. Its previous alumni include Jonathon Swift, Oscar Wilde and Samuel Beckett.
May-September Mon-Sat, 9.30am-5pm; Sun, 9.30am-4.30pm; October-April noon-4.30pm
Entry: €8 (£6.50)
www.bookofkells.ie
Christ Church Cathedral
Famous for its church bells and astounding architecture, in parts dating back to 1038.
Daily Opening Hours:
09.00 - 18.00 Summer (June-August)
09.45 - 17.00 or 18.00 Winter (September-May)
Entry: Adult €6 Student/Concession €4.
Children free when accompanied with parents.
Dublin Castle
The Castle stands high near the River Liffey which runs through Dublin. Its towers have held prisoners since the Tudor times however parts of the south-east Record Tower are medieval. As you would expect, a long and illustrious history and today plays hosts to numerous international events and Heads of State. Tourists can visit the State Apartments, Chapel Royal, the Undercroft and the Chester Beatty Library and Revenue Museum.
Guided Tours : Monday-Friday, 10.00- 16.45
Saturday, Sunday Public Holidays, 14.00- 16.45.
Closed; Good Friday, 25th-26th December, 1st January
www.dublincastle.ie
St Michan's Church
Founded in 1095 by the Vikings unfortunately there is only the rebuilt parts of the 17th and 19th century which remain today. Buried deep in the vaults are centuries-old corpses preserved by the limestone and magnesium salts. The mummified remains of the Brothers, Henry and John Sheares, leaders of the 1798 rebellion who were executed can be viewed. But the church should also be visited for its spectacular wood carvings and an organ once played by Handel.
Open Mon-Friday 1st November to 16th March 12.30p.m. to3.30p.m.
17th March to 31st October 10.00a.m. to 12.45. 2.00p.m. to 4.30p.m. Saturday (all year) 10.00a.m. to 12.45p.m.
There is a charge for the guided tour of our vaults. Admission chargesare:- Adults €3.50. Students €3.00. Child €2.50. Senior Citizen€3.00.
The Old Jameson Distillery
Once a distillery of the famous Power, Paddy and Bushmills Brands but now a museum showing the art and history of whisky production. There are short guided tours explaining the malting, milling, mashing, distilling and bottle processes. After a sample or for the more inquisitive a degustation is offered.
10% discount offered for online bookings 12.50 euros per adult
Bow Street, Smithfield Village, Dublin
National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology and History
One of the highlights are the Bronze Age artefacts, particularly the stunning gold jewellery - dress fasteners, bracelets, crescent-shaped collars - preserved through the millennia in Irish bogs. The monumental Victorian building, with its magnificent domed rotunda entrance hall, is also memorable.
Open: Tue-Sat, 10am-5pm; Sun, 2pm-5pm.
Free
You can visit either the Archaeology Museum in Kildare Street, Decorative Arts and History or Country Life Museum.
www.museum.ie
Kildare Street, 00353 1 677 7444
Evening of Food, Folk and Fairies
Sit in one of Dublin's oldest pubs and by a candlelit dinner enjoy discovering the history or Ireland and its people. Your storyteller is Johnny Daly who will take you back to the farming days, and at times bloody history of Ireland.
Held three or four nights at week it is priced at 44 euros per person.
www.irishfolktours.com
The Brazen Head, 20 Bridge St, Dublin