Top 10 Lesser Known Sights of Dublin

If you have a craving for fresh air and a bracing walk, take Dublin Bus Route 1 out to the massive Poolbeg Power Station and continue walking eastwards. You will then step out into Dublin Bay on the massive South Wall. Your target is Poolbeg Lighthouse, a red structure clearly visible in the distance. Bring a light snack and enjoy the magnificent view of Dublin Bay, the Wicklow Mountains and the Hill of Howth from here ... a clear windy day is a must for this walk.

Founded by legendary "Liberator" Daniel O'Connell in 1831 to make non-Anglican burials legal, the cemetery covers 120 acres of land and has more "inhabitants" than Dublin - 1,500,000 people are buried here. Prominent graves belong to O'Connell himself, Charles Steward Parnell, Eamon de Valera, James Larkin, Countess Markievicz, Michael Collins ... plus the "Republican Plot". There are guided tours every Wednesday and Friday at 2:30 pm if you cannot face exploring the cemetery on your own.

Hidden between the Mater Hospital and the King's Inns you will find (albeit with a map and some luck) this former reservoir for Dublin's waterworks. Designed like a park and built in 1810 it is actually used exclusively as a park since the 1970s. The only user of the reservoir by that time was the Jameson Distillery - which had just moved to Cork. In 1993 the basin was dredged and 6,000 tons of mud and refuse were removed, the park was completely renovated.

Built around 1685 this church sports a tower more than 130 feet high and parts of an organ built in 1724 - on which Handel's "Messiah" was first performed. Another complete organ built around the same time is famed for its woodcarvings. Most visitors, however, want to see the crypt! Here some mummified corpses send shivers down your spine. Even Bram Stoker visited for some inspiration. Do not believe stories that these are crusaders, evidence points towards a more recent vintage of the bodies.

If you want to enjoy the seaside take a DART out to Howth. Exit the station, turn left and you are in a working harbor with a huge marina and dozens of fishing boats. Walk out onto the West Pier to enjoy the view and the lighthouse on the East Pier. Glance between the fishing boats - you might well glimpse the seals waiting for free snacks in the harbor. Walk back towards town, grab fish and chips and take another walk out on the East Pier. From here you might also catch boats to Ireland's Eye.

Maybe designed by John Sweetman and definitely erected between 1815 und 1825 the Catholic cathedral of Dublin should have stood on O'Connell Street - but built on a less desirable site due to sectarian pressure. Inspired by Parisian churches the pro-cathedral (a more political than ecclesiastical classification) is reached from O'Connell Street via Cathedral Street. Well worth a visit for its curiosity value, despite being architecturally unremarkable. Catch the Palestrina Choir performing at Sunday mass.

If you really want to see the lesser-known side of Dublin take a walk along the Royal Canal. The walk starts at the First Lock near Newcomen Bridge and follows the old towpath. This is not always paved so good walking shoes are advised. You will see Croke Park, Mountjoy Prison, romantic lockkeeper's lodges and (if you last that long) the immense crossing over the M50 plus "The Deep Sinking", the steepest and deepest cutting of the route. Note that the walk is only recommended in broad daylight.

Built in the 19th century and similar to the pro-cathedral, leading to the (unproven) conclusion that George Papworth was the architect of both churches. Make a note to visit the Carmelite Church on February 14 if you are in love. In 1835 Pope Gregory XVI gave the relics of Saint Valentine to the church, so what better place to celebrate Valentine's Day? Proposing here should be a guarantee for success.