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With a thousand year old history and a thousand different pubs to choose from, Dublin is a city rich with heritage and spirit. It is Ireland’s capital and largest city. Dublin has history, architecture, industry, a melting-pot culture, and a lively nightlife. There is a lot to do in Dublin, from museums to castles, churches to dark Dracula history, pubs to distilleries and much more. What’s not for a visitor to love?
I enjoyed my time in Dublin – it’s also a city that’s for travel newbies just beginning to get introduced to Europe.

 

Where To Stay
The area called “Temple Bar” is where you should stay while visiting Ireland’s capital city. In this lively and popular area there are many attractions, restaurants and bars. Also, this area is easily accessible via the Airlink Express, which connects the city center to Dublin Airport and Houston Rail Station. Other public transportation is available in this area, making it convenient to reach other sections of the city. The best nightlife in Dublin is in the Temple Bar district. Of course, the famous Temple Bar Pub is located in this area.

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What To Do

  • Old Jameson Distillery
    Located in the Smithfield area of Dublin, the Old Jameson Distillery was founded in 1780 by John Jameson. This distillery offers informative and fun guided tours, samplings and more. After your tour, have a seat at JJ’s Bar and enjoy some signature (delicious) whiskey cocktails.

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  • Guinness Storehouse
    This experience is located in a seven story pint-shaped building in the middle of the famous St. James Gate Brewery. In 1759, Arthur Guinness, the founder of Guinness beer, signed an unheard of 9,000-year lease on the property at St. James Gate. Guinness is still brewed here today and is distributed worldwide from Dublin. Located at the top, on the seventh story, is Gravity Bar, which features 360-degree views of Dublin. This is a popular attraction, and I recommend purchasing your ticket in advance online to avoid the lengthy queue (and save some cash).

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  • Christ Church Cathedral
    This large medieval cathedral, which is located right in the center of the city, features beautiful Gothic and Romanesque style architecture. It is open Monday – Saturday from 09-19:00. The hours on Sunday vary.

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  • Temple Bar
    This bustling area of Dublin is where all the action is! Make sure to stop by for a pint in the original Temple Bar – a historic bright red bar located in the heart of this exciting district. Many bars in this area feature live Irish music in the evening. Dublin wouldn’t be Dublin without its vibrant pubs.

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  • National Museum of Ireland
    Built in 1704, this neoclassical grey building once served as the world’s largest military barracks. Today, it houses Ireland’s largest art, artifacts, and history collection.
  • St. Patrick’s Tower
    This iconic green-domed building was built in 1805 and served as a windmill. The blades have since fallen off, but the statue of St. Patrick is still visible at the top.
  • St. Patrick’s Cathedral
    Talk about history! This massive cathedral was founded in 1191. St. Patrick’s Cathedral is open Monday-Saturday from 09-17:00 and hours vary on Sundays.
  • Trinity College
    The oldest university in the country, Trinity College was founded in 1592. This large campus covers close to 50 acres of land and displays interesting architecture that spans four centuries.
  • Dublin Spire
    A symbol of controversy among the locals, this spire stands 120 meters tall and is the highest structure in Dublin. The spire was commissioned as part of the Millennium Project and is sometimes referred to as “Spike.”
  • St. Michan’s Church
    This 15th century church is home to a phenomenon – naturally preserved mummified bodies. While the centuries have brought changes to the church aboveground, the conditions of the underground vaults have remained the same. Perfect conditions of the church’s underground vaults have preserved the bodies of the Dubliners who are buried within its crypts, but disintegrated their caskets.

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  • Malahide Castle
    Located just north of Dublin, this 12th century castle lies on a sprawling green estate. Also located on the grounds is an eerie abbey that is in ruins. Malahide Castle is open daily from 09:30-17:00, but make sure to call ahead and check when the last guided tour is as it changes. You are not allowed in the castle without a guide.

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