Dublin's Attractions - Other Places of Interest in Dublin

Temple Bar is reputed to be Dublin's "bohemian quarter" - it certainly is full of entertainment, art and culinary action. It is generally regarded to be on the list of top attractions of Dublin. But does the reputation translate into reality?

Castles of Dublin? Indeed, plural! Dublin has long been a centre of power, ever since the Viking age fortifications emphasized this. But most visitors seem to know only Dublin Castle.

The Old Jameson's Distillery in Dublin, west of the Four Courts and Saint Michan's Church, is exactly what the title claims – an old distillery. So old, in fact, that it was closes down as early as 1966.

The National Library of Ireland in Dublin's Kildare Street is hallowed ground to all those interested in Irish literature. Not only has every Irish writer since James Joyce visited here (or so one would assume). Joyce himself located a scene in „Ulysses“ here.

Marsh's Library, quite near Dublin's Saint Patrick's Cathedral, is the oldest public library in the city. And still open to the public.

Malahide Castle is one of Dublin's several castles, about six miles north from the city center and reachable by regular bus, tour bus or train.

Leinster House can be found between Kildare Street and Merrion Street – the former Dublin home of the Earls of Leinster is now the Irish parliament, both the Dail Eireann and the Seanad Eireann are based here.

The Fry Model Railway in Malahide Castle has been mothballed.

The Four Courts of Dublin, also occasionally known as „The Four Goldmines“, are these days a complex dedicated to more than the historic four courts.

The Famine Memorial on Custom House Quay is found around 200 yards downstream from the Custom House, with emaciated figures in rags heading for Dublin Harbour.

Custom House, on the northern bank of the River Liffey near the city center, is one of Dublin's finest buildings and certainly one of Dublin's signature buildings.

The Bank of Ireland in College Green, opposite the main entrance to Trinity College, used to be the original Irish Parliament Building.

A zoo is ever-changing, animals are born, grow up, go away, are brought in ... and sometimes even major structural work is done to create a better visitor experience and (most important) more animal-friendly enclosures.

Tall Ships in Dublin - an image gallery of maritime treasures docking in the Dublin Docklands.

Statues can tell you a lot about the city that erects them - about its attitudes, its history, its famous sons and daughters, albeit sometimes adopted. Look at its statues, I always say, and you look at the heart and soul of a city. Dublin is blessed by a multitude of monuments, from the abstract to the life-like. Here are some of my favorites...

For some people the overall impression of a parade is important, for others the individual participants stick out ... and I for one like to get closer with the camera. As I did at Dublin's Saint Patrick's Parade in 2008.

Dublin's St. Patrick's Day Parade 2008 was lucky - despite some raindrops just before the start, it basked in glorious sunshine for most of the time. And provided a riot of colors, a truly multi-cultural experience and one of the best parades ever.

Upon finding Trinity College next to Dublin City's busiest intersection most visitors go "Ah ... this is it?" The façade of the Bank of Ireland right across the road is more imposing, true. But the classical view of Trinity College is actually hidden behind the small wooden doors that are the original entrance. Pass through them and you will see the glorious campanile, built by Charles Lanyon, in…

You might be forgiven should you forget that Dublin was a medieval city once - Dublinia attempts to set the record straight. The main exhibition concentrates on Dublin between the 11th century and the Reformation. An added bonus is the "Viking World"

The 16th of June will see strange goings-on in Dublin every year - mostly elderly gentlemen and ladies in decidedly old-fashioned garb tramping through town. Reciting literature. These are people celebrating Bloomsday.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder ... and the devil is in the detail. But when you stroll around Dublin you might find beauty in details often missed by visitors (and even locals). Dublin is not all about big buildings and Georgian doors. It also has those hidden gems that simply cry for a tele-lens.

The Easter Rising of 1916 was one of the, maybe the defining moment of Irish history in the 20th century. While the rebellion was planned as a nationwide event it only had a real impact on Dublin. And the Irish capital is also the ideal place to re-visit the Easter Rising.

Dublin Castle, one of the top sights of Dublin, is hidden away near Dame Street. And not a castle in the classical sense. But the former seat of British power in Ireland should be on every agenda.

Dublin Castle is not your typical castle ... actually it is not much of a castle at all. As far as fortifications go most of them are ornamental and not very effective. Admitted, there is a massive tower, but it had been rebuilt several times since the middle ages. So is Dublin Castle worth a visit anyway It sure is ...

August 2007 started off as rainy as July had ended, but this did not deter a bunch of artists working in the open at Dublin Castle. Several tons of fine sand were unceremoniously dumped in the castle courtyard and than transformed into impressive sand sculptures themed on "Irish Literature".

This is one of Dublin's attractions that leaves visitors with mixed feelings - the building itself and especially the splendid rotunda are a must when you are in the vicinity. Entrance is free, so take a peek. And then there is the museum in the vaults, another cup of tea entirely.

The zoos of Ireland are not the most spectacular zoos in the world, but they have a wide variety of animals on display. Well worth a visit especially if travelling with children, the Dublin Zoo is amongst the oldest in Europe.

Three major zoos and wildlife parks are open to the public in Ireland. The zoos in Dublin and Belfast and the extensive park in Fota are home to a variety of species. From big cats to small monkeys, from colorful exotic waterfowl to large South-American rodents, from the common to the unusual. See some sights of Dublin Zoo here ...

The General Post Office or GPO in O'Connell Street is one of the top ten sights of Dublin. Not only does the massive classical building dominate Dublin's main thoroughfare, it also is the iconic symbol of the failed 1916 Easter Rising. Several renovations restored the GPO to its former glory.

Glasnevin Cemetery is a hidden gem and part of the most interesting sights of Dublin. Some of those who found their final resting place in Glasnevin are amongst the most important historical figures of Ireland.

Glasnevin Cemetery, within easy reach of Dublin's city center, is one of the most astounding necropolis in the world. Take a walk with me ...

Guinness is undoubtedly Dublin's most famous export. The Guinness Storehouse is a lively and interesting exhibition -including the breathtaking view from the Gravity Bar. Complementary pint of "the black stuff" included.

Harold's Cross Cemetery, or more precise the Mount Jerome Cemetery in Harold's Cross, is one of Dublin's finest burial grounds. It has been compared to Pere-Lachaise in Paris and Highgate Cemetery in London ... quite rightly so.

In August 2007 a bunch of intrepid seafarers arrived in Dublin and made quarter for the winter - on board the "Havhingsten fra Glendalough", a replica Viking longboat. See the pictures ...

Howth is part of the lesser known sights of Dublin, if only because the peninsula is off the beaten track. The excellent connection via DART makes Howth accessible for anyone, however. The ideal getaway from busy Dublin.

If Dublin has a towering literary figure it would be James Joyce. Though not amongst Ireland's four winners of the Nobel Prize for Literature, even though more discussed than read and even though Joyce himself left Dublin in disgust as early as 1904.

Everyone has to see O'Connell Street when visiting Ireland - a street of superlatives. O'Connell Street is reputed to be Europe's widest urban street. And it is home to the "Spire", the world's tallest piece of sculpture.

The huge Phoenix Park is the world's largest urban park and best explored on a sunny day. You might get a good glimpse in an hour or spend the whole day.

The old chapterhouse of Saint Mary's Abbey is of a rare breed - an underground attraction in Dublin. This was not always the case as the chapterhouse was neither built underground nor has it been an attraction for long.

The Skerries Mills are a unique museum (park), dedicated to the history of milling and having full-sized, historic mills to explore. This makes for an interesting few hours near the seaside charms of Skerries Town.

Ireland's first university, founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I, tops most lists of the recommended sights of Dublin. The Campanile must be one of the most-photographed buildings in Dublin - and the Old Library is home to one of the most famous books on earth.

The best places to see and things for couples to do in Dublin.

Theatres and Event Venues in Dublin - a list where to find them and how to contact them.

Countess Constance Markiewicz in Townsend Street - Dublin Statues - Memorials Worth Seeking Out in Ireland's Capital

James Joyce in Earl Street - Dublin Statues - Memorials Worth Seeking Out in Ireland's Capital

O'Connell Monument in O'Connell Street - Dublin Statues - Memorials Worth Seeking Out in Ireland's Capital

Veronica Guerin Bust in Dubh Linn Gardens - Dublin Statues - Memorials Worth Seeking Out in Ireland's Capital

Brendan Behan Statue on the Banks of the Royal Canal - Dublin Statues - Memorials Worth Seeking Out in Ireland's Capital

Cuchullain in the General Post Office - Dublin Statues - Memorials Worth Seeking Out in Ireland's Capital

Mr. Screen in Hawkins Street - Dublin Statues - Memorials Worth Seeking Out in Ireland's Capital

The Children of Lir in the Garden of Remembrance - Dublin Statues - Memorials Worth Seeking Out in Ireland's Capital

Oscar Wilde in Archbishop Ryan Park (Merrion Square) - Dublin Statues - Memorials Worth Seeking Out in Ireland's Capital

Ana Livia in the Croppies Memorial Park - Dublin Statues - Memorials Worth Seeking Out in Ireland's Capital

Patrick Kavanagh at the Grand Canal - Dublin Statues - Memorials Worth Seeking Out in Ireland's Capital

Queen Maeve in Burlington Road - Dublin Statues - Memorials Worth Seeking Out in Ireland's Capital

Thomas Kettle in St. Stephen's Green - Dublin Statues - Memorials Worth Seeking Out in Ireland's Capital