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Key Attractions Trinity College Visitors can drift through the college amongst the numerous artistic ghosts in one of the world’s most famous centres of learning. Jonathan Swift, Bram Stoker, Oscar Wilde and Samuel Beckett, among many seminal other thinkers and writers, studied at Ireland’s oldest university, which was founded in 1592. With its cobbled squares, gardens and grand buildings, Trinity retains an aura of peace, despite its central location. Its main attraction is the Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript dating from around AD800, which is displayed in the magnificent Old Library. College Street Tel: (01) 608 2320. Fax: (01) 608 2690. Website: www.tcd.ie Transport: All cross-city buses; DART to Tara Street Station. Opening hours (Old Library & Book of Kells): Mon-Sat 0930-1700, Sun 0930-1630 (Jun-Sep); Mon-Sat 0930-1700, Sun 1200-1630 (Oct-May). Admission: Ir£4.50/EUR5.50 (Old Library/Book of Kells; concessions and reduced combined tickets available). National Museum of Ireland Among this rich collection of Irish antiquities, dating from 7000BC to the modern day, are the eighth-century Ardagh Chalice and Tara Brooch and the 12th-century Cross of Cong. Ór (Ireland’s Gold) features the finest collection of prehistoric gold artefacts in Europe. There are also major exhibitions on Prehistoric Ireland, Viking Ireland and Irish history (‘The Road to Independence’) from 1900-1921. Kildare Street Tel: (01) 677 7444. Fax: (01) 661 9199. Website: www.museum.ie Transport: Bus 7, 7A, 8, 10, 11 or 13; DART to Pearse Station. Opening hours: Tues-Sat 1000-1700 and Sun 1400-1700. Admission: Free. National Gallery of Ireland This impressive collection incorporates some 2500 paintings, as well as watercolours, drawings, prints and sculpture. Although Irish painting holds pride of place, all major European schools of painting are well represented. A major renovation of the museum was completed in 1996 and a new extension opened early in 2002. Merrion Square West Tel: (01) 661 5133. Fax: (01) 661 5372. E-mail: artgall@eircom.ie Website: www.nationalgallery.ie Transport: Bus 5, 7, 7A, 7B, 10, 44, 48A or 62; DART to Pearse Station. Opening hours: Mon-Sat 1000-1730 (Thurs until 2030), Sun 1400-1700. Admission: Free, although a donation of Ir£2/EUR2.50 is requested. Christ Church Cathedral Richard de Clare ‘Strongbow’ (the Earl of Pembroke) founded Christ Church Cathedral in 1172 on the site of a Viking church. Highlights include the ‘leaning wall of Dublin’, the north nave wall which has leaned 46cm (18 inches) since 1562 (when the roof collapsed), a mummified cat and mouse found in an organ pipe and a large crypt full of unusual relics. Christ Church Place Tel: (01) 677 8099. Fax: (01) 679 8991. E-mail: welcome@cccdub.ie Website: www.cccdub.ie Transport: Bus 50 or 78. Opening hours: Daily 0945-1730. Services are Mon-Fri at 1245, peace prayers at noon. Evensong Wed-Thurs 1800 and Sat 1700. Admission: Free, however a contribution of Ir£2/EUR2.50 or more is appreciated. Dublin Writers Museum First editions, letters, portraits and memorabilia of Swift, Sheridan, Shaw, Wilde, Yeats, Joyce, Beckett and Behan fill this fascinating museum, set in a spectacular Georgian mansion. There is also a room devoted to children’s literature. 18-19 Parnell Square North Tel: (01) 872 2077. Fax: (01) 872 2231. Transport: Bus 10, 11, 11A, 11B, 13, 13A, 16, 16A, 19 or 19A; DART to Connolly Station. Opening hours: Mon-Sat 1000-1700. Admission: Ir£4/EUR5 (concessions available). Dublin Castle Dating from Norman times, the palatial Dublin Castle was originally built on the orders of King John in 1204. The largest visible remaining fragment of the original 13th-century castle is the Record Tower. It stands beside the 19th-century Gothic revival Chapel Royal. Recently uncovered excavations of Viking fortifications can be viewed at the Undercroft. Most of the castle was largely rebuilt in the 18th century, including the gilded State Apartments, once the residence of English viceroys. Admission is by guided tour only. Tours run every 20 minutes. Large groups need to book in advance. Dame Street Tel: (01) 677 7129. Fax: (01) 679 7831. Transport: Bus 50, 50A, 54, 56A, 77, 77A or 77B. Opening hours: Mon-Fri 1000-1650, Sat and Sun 1400-1650. Admission: Ir£3.15/EUR4 (concessions available). |
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