Its literary connections
James Joyce largely known for his landmark novel, Ulysses as well as the literary legends such as Oscar Wilde, Jonathan Swift, and Samuel Beckett have contributed very well in making Dublin the stomping ground for literature. The prominent words from them linger down the cobbled streets of the city. You can weave them together on the Dublin Literary Pub Crawl that amalgamates two of Ireland’s most loved pastimes – drinking and story telling.
The Guinness secrets
All of us know, loud and clear that the best Guinness is served in Dublin. However, did you known that St. James’s Gate is where it is actually brewed. It is also a home to a secret experimental brewery. Situated in proximity to the outside for over a century, this clandestine brew house is today open to general public at a fee of a mere €6. You can come and sample the Guinness and the beers here. This indeed is going to be a fun thing to do in Dublin.
Its live music pubs
It is true that you can no longer enjoy the sound of live music in the pubs of England however most of the watering holes of Ireland in particular the ones located in Dublin are still up for some live music on most nights of the week. The Cobblestone that is located in Smithfield which is one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods describes itself as a drinking pub with a musical problem. For those, interested in traditional Irish folk music, this is one great place to visit.
It's home to Francis Bacon’s studio
Dublin is a home to Francis Bacon’s studio ever since 2001. The studio was relocated here then from London to his city of birth. Situated in Huge Lane gallery, this chaotic work space brings forth a fascinating insight into the disorderly life of this figurative painter.
Phoenix Park
Dublin is a home to a herd of wild fallow deer. This rambling 17th century park is a fine place to spend your day. You can find an array of points of interest here located within the green space including the Ashdown Castle, Dublin Zoo, Wellington Monument which is the largest obelisk of Europe and a neatly manicured Victorian garden. You can either take a picnic here or stay here for a while to capture the beauty of the place.
The free museums
As in Britain, most of the major galleries and museums of Ireland are usually free to enter. One cultural highlight here is the National Gallery of Ireland that houses within it an unparalleled collection of Irish art. Besides this, you can also find some really exceptional pieces from just about every European school of painting. What’s really the harm in visiting the museums and galleries that are free to explore. Go ahead and plan a tour to any of these tourist attractions of Ireland.
The choir at Christ Church Cathedral
Christ Church Cathedral that is more popularly known as the Cathedral of Holy Trinity has been in existence ever since the Viking times. It is one of the grandest places of worship in Ireland. Make sure you time your visit to the cathedral in such a manner that it coincides with one of the regular choral performances. If you are making a visit during June, you can attend the Dublin Choral Festival. In this festival you can encounter the mixed voice choirs as well as individual signers performing together. Naturally, the atmosphere you’ll experience here is indeed the best in Dublin.
The library inside Trinity College
The Long Room Library of Dublin is extremely popular for its barrel-vaulted roof and magnificent beauty. In the library, there sits a humongous treasure of the Irish literature. The dusty shelves of the room are a home to humongous collection of works which includes a Book of Kells that is a religious manuscript from the 800 AD and as well as a rare copies containing experts on the Irish Republic. Its room is a home to the wooden harp from the 15th century which was the model from the Irish emblem.
Kilmainham Gaol
Wish to explore and experience the long history of Ireland. Make a visit to the Kilmainham Gaol. Even the air here, boasts about the Irish history. It is the very place where several Irish revolutionaries including the leaders of the 1916’s Easter Rising were imprisoned and further executed by the British. At present, the jail houses a museum that is dedicated to the art gallery and an Irish nationalism which exhibits contemporary works from the pioneers across Ireland. Many who come to Kilmainham Gaol, might feel that it looks familiar. This is majorly because of the huge number of film scenes that were shot here in movies such as The Escapist (2008) and Italian Job (1969). You can also catch a glimpse of it in the music video for U2’s A Celebration (1982) along with a variety of other films.
Abbey Theatre’s experimental performances
Abbey Theatre is largely known for its fiery past that includes audience riots. You must come here to experience a combination of European and Irish classics performed on the principal stage of the theatre as well as the experimental pieces and the new Irish writing. For all the creative souls, this indeed a great place to see.
Glasnevin Cemetery
Glasnevin Cemetery is loaded with the Victorian era memorials and statuary which covers 124 acres of North Dublin. It is more of an iconic national space. Iconic legends of the Irish national history - Constance Markievicz, Michael Collins and Roger Casement, are buried here. In the past couple of years, the cemetery has moved from being a damp or a rather overwhelming graveyard to being a prominent tourist attraction of Dublin given the striking museum located here which is definitely worth exploring.
The city’s affable inhabitants
One of the most clichéd things to say about Dublin is that the people or the locals here are very amiable and friendly. They are approachable and will help you with everything you may possibly need. The very mannerism and the way of conduct of the Irish people here would definitely make you fall in love with the city. If you dive into a pub, you’ll be putting the world to rights with the chatty strangers here making nightlife a bigger fun for the tourists.
Food
Dublin is way more than its literature and architecture. Under the surface of the Ireland’s capital lies a wealth of authentic food, that is unmisssable. It will not be an over estimation, if you feel that Ireland is a foodie’s haven. Make a visit to the traditional pub, John Kavanagh’s Gravediggers where you can enjoy a classic serving of coddle which is made using bacon, potatoes and sausage with a pint of Guinness to wash it down. When in Ireland, don’t go without hogging on local savouries of the country.
