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The Real Dublin

Helping you make the most of


your time during your stay

The Real Dublin


Your pocket-guide to help you
get the most out of your stay,
every step of the way.

Whats inside...
1

Getting to know Dublin .......................................... 9

Getting around ................................................................. 17

Where to stay ....................................................................... 21

Eating out and socialising

Beautiful open spaces ........................................ 39

Galleries and museums .................................... 45

Places of interest & history .......................... 51

Theatre & Literature ................................................61

.............................

27

Welcome
Welcome to our travel guide about Dublin. This guide
is designed to help you to make the most of your time
during your stay here. Whether its a first time visit or a
regular stopover to Dublin, you will always find a warm
welcome and a friendly smile. The Real Dublin publication
is your pocket-guide to help you get the most out of your
stay, every step of the way.
The Real Dublin will give you the best restaurants to
impress, the tastiest places to eat a quick bite and the
cosy traditional pubs. Well guide you through the finest
museums, literary haunts and galleries, stunning parks
and public spaces.
We hope youll fall in love with Dublin as much as we have
and see that Dublin is so much more than just the best
hosting location for digital assets.
Filte roimh Cliath.
The team at TelecityGroup

TelecityGroup - Dublin Pocket Guide 5

About the Author


As the Marketing Manager of TelecityGroup Ireland, my
job is to showcase TelecityGroup as the best location in
Europe to host digital assets.
Thankfully I work with a fantastic team of managers,
engineers and 24/7 operation technicians that work
tirelessly to ensure TelecityGroup provides the highest
availability for IT infrastructure in Dublin.
So I exhibit this hard work by promoting TelecityGroup as
the best data centre provider in Dublin, whilst showcasing
Dublin as much more than Europes leading technology
hub.
On that note, enjoy the data centre tour, and we hope that
afterwards you get a chance to enjoy the city and relax in
the knowledge that you have chosen an outstanding data
centre in Dublin, with expertise you can definitely trust.

A short note:
This book is intended to show you another side of Dublin during your business visit here.
Weve sampled some places, weve heard about others: In the unlikely event our finger
is off the pulse, do let us know by dropping us a line at therealdublin@telecity.com.
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Getting to
know Dublin

Cad Mle Filte. A hundred thousand


welcomes to Irelands capital city,
Dublin.
Renowned for its breath-taking beauty, warming
energy, unique culture and inspirational arts,
Dublin is a city simply waiting for your discovery.
Step into this wonderful metropolis where modern
cosmopolitan meets traditional charm. And step
you shall, Dublin is the ideal city to explore on foot,
with all the city sights easily reached by walking, or
by the citys very own Dublin bikes scheme.
Cultural attractions are plentiful in the city,
whilst the discerning visitor can also seek out the
abundance of scenic seaside villages, majestic
mountains and rural hinterlands nearby.

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The real approach


Dublin is a vibrant and modern city with a long and
proud tradition in arts, history and culture.
For the discerning visitor, Dublin
offers a warm welcome, with
inspiring galleries & museums,
excellent restaurants, a thriving
music scene and cosy cafs.
And whilst you soak up the
amazing historic sights for which

Dublin is renowned, dont forget


to also savour the here and now
of the city.
New ideas and sparky start-ups
are flourishing in Dublin and
provide the perfect balance to the
historic significance of the city.
Molly Malone

Peruse the dynamic Modern Art


exhibitions at IMMA, which is just
moments walk from the historic
eminence of Kilmainham Gaol.
Experience new music played
at Whelans of Wexford Street,
which can be a welcome twist on
the traditional Irish music scene.
The buzzing bars and eclectic

boutiques of the emerging


Creative Quarter around South
William Street are a genuine
alternative to the high street
brands found on Grafton Street.
Whatever you decide to do,
experience something new in
Dublin and you will find a good
time is never far away as you
discover the city day by day.
TelecityGroup - Dublin Pocket Guide 11

The real overview


Dublin is located on the East Coast of Ireland,
stretching along the beautiful Irish Sea.
The population of Dublin is 1.8
million people. Home to three
Universities and many colleges, it
is no surprise that an estimated
50% of the population are under
the age of 25.
Dublin is an inimitable city, with
Medieval, Gothic, Victorian
& Georgian buildings and a
notable absence of skyscrapers.
With strong influence from its

Danish, Norman and English


antecedents, Dublin is a new,
vibrant city, which still retains
strong remnants of its traditions.
Divided into two halves by
the River Liffey, North Dublin
boasts many famous landmarks
including the GPO, the Spire,
the Hugh Lane Gallery and the
Garden of Remembrance. Just
a short walk from the Northside

The Samuel Beckett Bridge

Christchurch Cathedral

over the plethora of bridges


that span the Liffey (notably
OConnell bridge, Hapenny
Bridge and the Samuel Beckett
Bridge) and the Southside begins.
The Southside is home to
an abundance of cultural
attractions, including Trinity
College (home of the Book of

Kells), Dublin Castle, St Patricks


Cathedral, The National Gallery,
St Stephens Green Park and
Grafton Street Shopping area.
Continually changing yet quietly
constant, Dublin is will captivate
your senses as you uncover the
history, the buildings, the arts and
the buzzing social scene.
TelecityGroup - Dublin Pocket Guide 13

The Real Language


Dublin is rapidly becoming the multilingual Internet
capital of Europe.
English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, Italian, Russian,
Mandarin Chinese and Latvian being amongst the most popular
languages spoken in Dublin.
The official Irish language (Gaeilge) is rarely spoken in Dublin and
is mostly confined to remote parts of the West, North West and
South West of Ireland. You may notice street signs in Irish, but all are
translated to English.

14 TelecityGroup - Dublin Pocket Guide

Some Irish words you may have seen or heard:


Cad Mle Filte
Which literally means a hundred
thousand welcomes.

Slinte

The translation of the phrase to


English appears to have taken the
easy on the ear route compared
to the literal.

Slinte is basically a toast like the


English word cheers. The literal
translation of the word is health.

Craic

Go raibh mle maith agat

Sln

You may hear Irish people say


Thanks a million The Irish
translation actually offers a
mere one thousand thanks.

Meaning farewell. Sln is the


Gaelic word for safe so it means
keep safe.

Fun, generally involving music,


dancing and laughing.

TelecityGroup - Dublin Pocket Guide 15

Getting
around

Transport in, out and around the


city is abundant and easy.
With no city centre congestion charges, many
locals still drive into the city, although there
are many other options.
Bus, rail, tram and cycling are popular choices
with locals looking to avoid city traffic, whilst
taxis are generally reliable, if not a little on the
expensive side.

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The real way to get around


Public Transport
Service is quite regular, especially during peak times. In all cases, a
Leap Card is the most cost-effective payment method, which can
be used on the bus, luas or DART.
www.leapcard.ie

Dublin Bus

DART

Dublin has a
fairly good public
transport system
in the centre and
suburbs, which
operates from 6.00AM-11.30PM.
It is worthwhile to download the
Dublin Bus App, which helps
visitors plan journeys, with details
on real time travel information,
timetables & bus routes. Whilst
most city centre bus stops have
monitors to tell you when your
bus arrives, you can also check
www.dublinbus.ie/rtpi with your
bus stop number.

A local train
service operates
around Dublin
Bay (east coast)
extending from
Howth on the North side through
the City Centre right through
to Greystones in Co. Wicklow
(further afield than South County
Dublin) with various stops along
the way.

www.dublinbus.ie
www.dublinbus.ie/rtpi
18 TelecityGroup - Dublin Pocket Guide

The DART route follows the


coast of the Irish sea, with
unforgettable sea views;
undoubtedly one of the most
scenic suburban rail journeys in
Europe.
www.irishrail.ie

Luas

Taxi

Luas literally
translates to
speed in Irish;
although this is
not the first word
that comes to mind when using
Dublins tram system. Still, it
is an efficient and reliable way
to trundle from the city to the
suburbs.

Three of the main


taxi ranks in the city
centre are located
on OConnell
Street, College
Green and at St. Stephens Green.

The two separate lines: the red


and the green line originate in
separate parts of the city. The
Red line serves North city and
South West Dublin suburbs, while
the Green line serves South city
and South Dublin suburbs. With a
15 minute walk between the two
Luas lines, its a relief that work
has commenced to connect
both. Luas tickets can be bought
on the platform before boarding
and you can buy one ticket for
use on both the red and green
line if you need it.
www.luas.ie

The smartphone app, Hailo will


connect you to a taxi in your
vicinity, whilst private operators
are also good for pre-planned
journeys.
City Cabs: +353 1 872 7272
Metro Cabs: +353 1 668 3333

Dublin Bikes
With bike pods
dotted around
the city, you can
enjoy a temporary
subscription to
Dublin Bikes for 5, with the first
half hour cycling free and the
remaining charged at a nominal
fee per hour.
www.dublinbikes.ie
TelecityGroup - Dublin Pocket Guide 19

Where
to Stay

Hotels in Dublin are plentiful, diverse


and, most often are renowned
for excellent hospitality and high
standards.
Whilst this is true for the majority of cases,
do choose carefully. Be aware that budget
hotels tend to locate just north of the River
Liffey, (Dublin 1) while luxury generally favours
the prestigious Dublin 2 postcode.
Two or three nights in Dublin is ample time
to see the sights, so we also recommend
venturing out to the outskirts of Dublin (page
39) or depending on your schedule taking in a
stay further afield; Killarney, Cliffs of Moher or
West Cork or even to trek off the beaten track
in Leitrim, Cavan or Sligo.

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The real place to stay... to impress

The real place to stay... to impress

The Shelbourne

The Merrion Hotel

The 5 star luxury Shelbourne was a scene of


significant historical events over the past two
centuries and is an iconic part of Dublin city
history. In May 1922, The Shelbourne played
host to its most historic meeting the drafting
of the Irish Constitution under the leadership
of Michael Collins. Guests can step inside The
Constitution room at certain times to become
immersed in a crucial event in Irish history.

A gem of a hotel, this 5 star luxury hotel is


just moments walk from the Shelbourne, in
the heart of Georgian Dublin. The Merrion is
home to the 2-star Michelin Restaurant Patrick
Guilbaud, The Cellar Bar and Restaurant, and
the intimate No. 23 Cocktail Bar.

Setting aside its historical significance, The


Shelbourne is a stunning hotel, overlooking
the picturesque St Stephens Green City
Park and just walking distance from galleries,
museums, pubs, restaurants and the famous
Grafton Street on Dublins Southside. It is on
the pricey side and if you cant justify the spend;
it is worth a visit to the Horseshoe Bar to soak
in the atmosphere. According to legend, the
Horseshoe Bar is frequented by millionaires;
top politicians; high society; stars of stage
and screen, along with famous musicians and
sportspeople. Youll fit right in.

The Westbury

www.theshelbourne.ie

www.doylecollection.com

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www.merrionhotel.com

The Westbury is a 5 star luxury hotel, situated


just off Grafton Street, close to Trinity College,
the Gaiety Theatre and select restaurants and
caf-bars. This luxurious hotel is filled with
beautiful chandeliers with opulence at every
turn. Once again, it is worth a visit to the hotel,
even if youre not staying. Enjoy afternoon
tea in The Gallery; if your timing is right, the
pianist may be playing the grand piano in the
mezzanine as you enjoy a grand view out onto
the bustling streets.

TelecityGroup - Dublin Pocket Guide 23

The real place to stay... within budget

The real place to stay... within budget

Hilton Hotel Kilmainham

Camden Court Hotel

If you are visiting TelecityGroup data


centres, which are generally located to the
west of the city, Hilton Hotel in Kilmainham
gives you the best of both worlds. From the
hotel, it is approximately 10 minutes drive
to the city centre. Whilst not in the city, the
hotel is just beside Kilmainham Gaol and the
Irish Museum of Modern Art. Generally 130
per night, but rates can vary.

This is a reasonable, good quality hotel located


in Dublins south city (about a 15 minute walk
to Grafton Street). The immediate vicinity
(Camden Street), while it may not look visually
appealing, does contain some nice cheap
eateries. It is close to the Green Luas line
(southside) and has a car park that is free for
guests at the time of writing and rates can vary
at around 100 per night.

www.hiltondublinkilmainham.com

www.camdencourthotel.com

Hilton Hotel Charlemont

Short Term Accommodation

This Hilton is slightly more central than


Kilmainham and overlooks the historic
Grand Canal. Just a short walk from the
famous St. Stephens Green area and
Grafton Street, the area is lined with stylish
wine bars and delicious bistros. Hilton
Charlemont is slightly more expensive, with
mid-week rates starting at 140, but moving
upwards, depending on the time of year.

Specialise in short term rental:


www.dublinshortlets.com

Specialise in serviced apartments for short


term or long term stays:
www.staycity.com

The home of nearly all rental apartments


and houses in Dublin:
www.daft.ie

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Eating out
and socialising

Dublin is a haven of excellent


restaurants serving everything from
contemporary cuisine to traditional
fare.
Whats more, continued diversity is being
introduced with the addition of pop-up
restaurants, not to mention a deluge of new
dining options and eateries opening their
doors regularly.
Take a moment to review our choices,
but keep your eye also on The Georgina
Campbell Guide which selects the very
best in hospitality providers in Ireland.
Their anonymous inspection team dine in
restaurants, pay their bill (really!) and assess
the restaurant accordingly - uninfluenced by
the venue, which we like, very much.

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The real place eat... to fine dine

Restaurant Patrick
Guilbaud

The real place eat... to fine dine

Pearl Brasserie

Chapter One

Residence Forty One

This beautiful restaurant serves


excellent food in comfortable
surroundings. Pearl serves
traditional French cuisine in this
warm, modern, classy and chic
establishment. Tucked away
on the corner of Merrion Street,
Pearls interior boasts open peat
fires, Asian-inspired furnishings
and a stunning aquarium. The
real wonder to behold is the food:
Head Chef Sebastien believes his
menus will take you on a culinary
journey around France whilst
giving you the true taste of Pearl
Brasserie. Bon Appetit.

One of Irelands finest restaurants


(Michelin Star) resides in this
arched basement beneath the
Irish Writers Museum. It has a
sleek and elegant dining room,
which is inspired by a love of art
and a passion for food. Keep your
eye out for ProjectArt @ Chapter
One, a collaborative expression
of the creative connectivity
between art, food and the
restaurants customers. Whilst
not in a typical restaurant area,
Chapter One is also a moments
walk from the Gate Theatre (page
63) and the Hugh Lane Gallery
(page 47).

Overlooking the picturesque St


Stephens Green, this Georgian
building clad in enigmatic ivy is a
wonder to behold inside and out.

www.pearl-brasserie.com

www.chapteronerestaurant.com

www.residence.ie

This restaurant has been at the


centre of fine dining in Dublin for
the last thirty-three years and is
Irelands only two star Michelin.
Situated beside the 5 star Merrion
Hotel in Dublin city centre, the
cuisine is contemporary Irish with
classical roots.
This is a definitely a restaurant to
frequent on a very, very special
occasion.

www.restaurantpatrickguilbaud.ie
28 TelecityGroup - Dublin Pocket Guide

This intimate and serene


restaurant is part of Residence,
an exclusive private dining club.
Fortunately, Restaurant Forty
One is open to non-members,
delivering exquisite food in
the most visually appealing
surroundings. Stylish and
elegant, Residence Forty One is
the ideal setting for everything
from a business lunch to a
special dinner occasion.

TelecityGroup - Dublin Pocket Guide 29

The real place to eat.. to impress

Fade Street Social

The Hot Stove

Chez Max

This is arguably Dublins coolest


eating venue, consisting of a
restaurant, a gastro-bar and
a rooftop winter garden for
private parties. Fade Street
Social celebrates Irish food
and character. It is a definite
departure from the formality of
fine dining. Fade Street social is
as buzzing on a Tuesday night,
as it is on a Saturday, a definite
place to capture the unique
sense of the Irish. Next door,
and inter-connected is The Snail
Bar, or No Name Bar which
is perfect for an after dinner
digestif.

Located in Dublin 1, close to


Chapter One, it must be said
this area isnt your typical dining
location. Nestled away from
the North Inner City, in the
basement of Numbers 38 & 39
Parnell Square West, is The Hot
Stove Restaurant: combining
modern Irish hospitality with
truly excellent food and wine. An
old stove oven glows at the heart
of the restaurant giving you a
truly comfortable and warming
experience while a pretty private
outdoor courtyard ensures
dining al-fresco is a real treat.

There are two Chez Max


restaurants in the city: the
original Chez Max caf and
restaurant at the gates
of Dublin Castle and the
restaurant in the romantic
basement premises on Baggot
Street.

www.fadestreetsocial.com

www.thehotstove.ie

www.chezmax.ie

30 TelecityGroup - Dublin Pocket Guide

Both serve excellent French


food and wine, whilst not
cheap, it is worth it for the
quality of the food wine
and quintessentially French
atmosphere.

TelecityGroup - Dublin Pocket Guide 31

The real place to eat... lively bites

The real place eat... lively bites

Elephant and Castle


Temple Bar

Crackbird
Dame Street

Diep le Shaker
Pembroke Lane

Simons Place
Georges Street

This place is always buzzing,


so prepare to wait for a table.
But that is OK, as it is located in
Temple Bar; you can listen to
some street music outside if
its sunny or pop in for a coffee
or drink in one of the many
surrounding bars while you wait.

The central location and laidback atmosphere make this an


appealing choice.

Neatly tucked away behind


Dublins premier mews lane,
Pembroke Lane lies a restaurant
that offers a thai dining
experience you wont forget.

On the casual side of lunchtime casual dining, this lovely


little indie-style caf sits on the
Georges Street entrance of
Georges Street Arcade. If you
enjoy fresh, delicious, simple
sandwiches, then Simons Place
is a must. Simons Place offers
a refreshing change from your
traditional coffee shop. You can
also see what music and dance
shows are coming up as the
interior is blasted with theatre,
cinema and gig posters for the
latest events. Casual atmosphere
and great buzz. (Closed Sundays.)

This is casual dining at its best,


serving what is well regarded
as Dublins best chicken wings,
along with tasty brunch and
dinner options.

www.elephantandcastle.ie
32 TelecityGroup - Dublin Pocket Guide

Renowned for their chicken


dishes (you may be hard pressed
to find a choice if you dont
like chicken) and cool decor,
Crackbird always draws a good
crowd, with loud music and lots
of chat.

www.joburger.ie/crackbird

Diep is a popular spot, serving


excellently cooked Thai dishes
in a venue that is always vibrant.
Diep has live music every
Thursday, Friday and Saturday,
ranging from bossa nova to pop
and blues to jazz. So, in addition
to quality Thai food, expect a fun
filled, musical and unique dining
experience.
www.diep.net

TelecityGroup - Dublin Pocket Guide 33

The real place to go out

The real place to go out

Porter House
Temple Bar

Vintage Cocktail Club


Temple Bar

Bar 37
Dawson Street

The Bar with No Name


Fade Street

Yes, Temple Bar is essentially


Irelands tourist trap it is
expensive and can get rowdy late
at night. So as a rule we would not
recommend most of the bars
that line the streets of Temple
Bar. But we have started this list
with a Temple Bar location, The
Porter House. Here they sell
local ales and craft beers at a
reasonable price. With live music
every night of the week, it is also
a good spot to meet and chat
to new people from all over the
world.

Another Temple Bar location, but


this is one for the locals. Hidden
away down an alleyway with no
noticeable sign, this vintage gem
is a great place for an excellent
cocktail, but emphasis on the
singular: its expensive.

Housed directly opposite


The Mansion House, and on a
street that offers a plethora of
dining and social options, Bar
37 is a stylish bar, with excellent
cocktails served until late.

This is also known, quite


mysteriously as the Snail Bar,
and is connected to Fade Street
Social Restaurant.

www.porterhousebrewco.com

www.vintagecocktailclub.com

34 TelecityGroup - Dublin Pocket Guide

Vintage dcor, with a speakeasy


vibe, this is known as Temple
Bars best kept secret. Do book
in advance, even if its just for a
cocktail. Oh, and dont tell a soul.

The restaurant part of Bar 37 is


on the 2nd floor, and the whole
venue transforms to be the place
to be late at night in Dublin. With
a positive vibe and funky dcor,
this place fills up as the speakers
crank up. Whilst some consider
it pretentious, its generally
considered to be one of the
better late night spots in Dublin.
www.37dawsonstreet.ie

You can spot it outside by the


large wooden snail hanging above
the door.
You will feel like youve trespassed
into someones home until you
enter what feels like some sort
of house party. Its the bar. Great
music and chat and that bit more
laid-back than 37.

www.kellysdublin.com
TelecityGroup - Dublin Pocket Guide 35

The real traditional pubs

The real traditional pubs

ODonoghues
Merrion Row

Kehoes
South Anne Street

The Long Hall


Georges Street

The Stags Head


Bridge Street

This is the best known traditional


Irish music pub in Dublin.
ODonoghues has played
host to many traditional Irish
legends, including the Dubliners,
Christy Moore and Phil Lynott.
ODonoghues is a traditional
Irish pub in that it is a little rough
around the edges, but that is
part of its charm. Today, it is still
one of the few Dublin locations
that you can hear traditional Irish
music played on most nights, so
its worth a visit for that alone.

Kehoes is one of Dublins best


kept secrets. Its is a traditional
Irish Pub that dates back to the
end of the 19th Century. Literally.
The interior is the product of
a Victorian style renovation
which has been preserved to the
present day. If you are passing on
a sunny evening, you will notice
large crowds standing outside
having a drink and a chat, nothing
against the Victorian interior, just
an unusual tradition. Definitely
worth a journey there.

Never straying far from its name,


this pub is essentially a long hall.
Its quite small, usually busy and
again, little has changed here
since the Victorian era.

Whilst a little bit on the touristy


side, The Stags Head is
regarded as Dublins oldest pub,
dating back to 1198. They have
traditional Irish music every
night. The real reason we have
listed this pub is that they host an
enchanted evening here called
An Evening of Food, Folklore
and Fairies. Its essentially a
dinner theatre, for you to listen
to captivating storytelling as you
enjoy a traditional Irish meal.
Touristy? Yes. One of the better
ones? Definitely.

www.odonoghues.ie

www.louisfitzgerald.com/kehoes

36 TelecityGroup - Dublin Pocket Guide

Bruce Springsteen usually


drops in when he is in town and
Phil Lynott filmed a portion of
the video for Old Town here.
This authentic Dublin pub is
affectionately known as The
Long Stand, (seats can be hard
to find during busy times), but
this feature makes it all the more
sociable.

www.brazenhead.com
www.irishfolktours.com
TelecityGroup - Dublin Pocket Guide 37

Beautiful
Open Spaces

An oasis from the hustle and bustle of


city life, Dublin has ample choices of
beautiful areas to sit back, relax and
enjoy the view.
Tree-lined parks, Georgian squares and
nature reserves are plentiful in Dublin City,
whilst venturing further out of the centre
will reward you with magnificent estates,
stunning glens and old castle ruins.

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The real beautiful open


spaces... in the city

The real beautiful open spaces... in the city

St Stephens Green
Dublin

The Iveagh Gardens


Clonmel Street

Phoenix Park
Dublin

The Botanic Gardens


Glasnevin

Dublin city has more green


spaces per square mile than
any other European capital city.
One of its most beautiful is St
Stephens Green Park. Tree-lined
paths, a lake in the centre, with
swans, ducks and sometimes
ducklings, it is a sanctuary from
the hustle & bustle of Dublins
most prestigious shopping area
nearby.

Bronze statues, a stunning rose


garden and a hidden (if small)
waterfall all grace the grounds
of the Iveagh Gardens. A hidden
gem of a park in the city which
is also home to some chilled
out comedy and music gigs in
summer months.

This stunning park is home to 500


deer, and is the largest enclosed
recreational space within any
European capital city.

Not quite within Dublin city, but


just 3k north of the city centre.

During summer months,


free concerts are held at the
bandstand, so you can lie on the
grass with a coffee, just be sure
to early so you get a good spot.
40 TelecityGroup - Dublin Pocket Guide

Somewhat reminiscent of a
secret garden and quieter than
St Stephens Green and Phoenix
Park, the Iveagh Gardens are
a calm and serene oasis close
to Stephens Green and the
National Concert Hall.

It is home to ras an Uachtarin,


(the residence of the President
of Ireland) and the United States
Ambassadors residence.
Phoenix Park is a park you could
spend a few hours roaming. Free
tours are available of the ras on
Saturday mornings in the Visitor
Centre. Dublin zoo is also located
within the Phoenix Park, which
opens almost every day of the
year.

The Botanic Gardens are a


beautiful location if you enjoy
botany, photography or just a
relaxing afternoon in tranquil
nature. The Botanic Gardens are
free to enter and are open every
day of the week.
www.heritageireland.ie contains a
list of all public parks and national
sites of interest.

TelecityGroup - Dublin Pocket Guide 41

The real beautiful open spaces...


outside the city

The real beautiful open spaces... outside the city

Glendalough
Co. Wicklow

Howth
North Dublin

Powerscourt
Waterfall

The Hill of Tara &


Newgrange, Meath

Glendalough means The valley


of the two lakes and is one
of the most picturesque and
spectacular locations in Ireland.

Howth is a picturesque coastal


village north of Dublin. The
ideal place for a day trip, Howth
combines wonderful scenery,
with interesting history and a
vibrancy that attracts visitors all
year round.

Set at the foothill of the Wicklow


Mountains, Powerscourt Waterfall
is Irelands highest at 121m (398ft).

Nestled in rural county Meath


(neighbouring county of Dublin) the
Hill of Tara contains a number of
ancient monuments, and, according
to tradition, holds close links with
the rd R na hireann, or the High
King of Ireland. The Hill of Tara is
debated to be the place of the
High Seat for the King or perhaps a
sacral site associated with kingship
rituals. Newgrange is a prehistoric
monument in Co. Meath that dates
back to 3200BC. Famous for the
Winter Solstice illumination, which
attracts a select few lucky visitors to
experience every year.

A monastery since the 6th


Century, Glendalough has
seen massive changes over
the centuries. Today, the
monastic remains include a
round tower, stone churches
and decorated crosses. A glacial
valley, with origins in the ice age,
Glendalough is an astounding
location for cycling, walking,
hiking or a picnic and is a mustsee if visiting Dublin.
www.glendalough.ie
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Walkers can enjoy panoramic


views from Howth head while
marine lovers can sail to Dublin
City Centre with Dublin Boat
Cruises. Fresh fish is a must
for your meal in Howth, varying
from the famous Beshoffs fish
and chips on the seafront to
the upmarket Aqua Restaurant
overlooking the Irish Sea.
www.howthismagic.com

Walk the grounds of the beautiful


Wicklow Valley at Powerscourt
Estate and youll find the perfect
location for a summer picnic or
barbeque, or just a relaxing place to
watch the world go by.
Theres something magical about
Powerscourt; a visual wonder
nestled in the splendour of the
Wicklow mountains.

www.powerscourt.com/waterfall

www.hilloftara.org
www.newgrange.com
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Galleries
and museums

From Classical art to the Renaissance;


from European fine art to the
Surrealists, Dublin has museums
and galleries to suit every type of
artistic passion.
Also, if you are in Dublin in September,
seek out Culture Night. During this night,
free events, tours, talks and performances
take place across museums, galleries and
locations normally closed to the public
across Dublin.

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The real museums and galleries

The Hugh Lane Gallery


In addition to the Francis
Bacon studio, there are various
temporary and permanent
exhibitions, which include Renoir,
Yeats and Sean Scully.

Unlike many European Counterparts, entry to most


permanent exhibitions in Ireland is completely free, so
take advantage and get up close and personal with a
genuine Renoir, without having to pay for the privilege.
Here is a list of the places to see.

Number 29
Lwr Fitzwilliam Street

The National History


Museum, Kildare Street

Number Twenty Nine is a


Georgian House Museum. Walk
through a Georgian basement to
the attic, through rooms which
have been furnished with original
artefacts as they would have
been in the years 1790 to 1820.
Entry is around 6.

Here you will experience the


finest collection of prehistoric
gold artefacts in western
Europe, outstanding examples
of metalwork from the Celtic
Iron Age and the Museums
world-renowned collection of
medieval ecclesiastical objects
and jewellery.

www.esb.ie/no29

www.museum.ie

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The Hugh Lane Gallery is home to


the famous Francis Bacon studio,
whereby his studio in London is
replicated in situ with genuine
contents from his home and
workplace.
This type of relocation and
compilation of entire contents
is unprecedented in museum
practice.
Bacon is the painter of Three
Studies of Lucian Freud, which
retains the record for the most
expensive artwork ever sold at
auction ($142 million).

The gallery is also home to an


exquisite stained glass room,
depicting work from Harry
Clarke, Irelands most renowned
stained glass artist and the
famous illustrator behind the
Fairy Tales of Hans Christian
Anderson. The intricate detail
and the incandescent lighting
of these wonderful pieces
need to be seen in person to be
experienced.
In addition, The Hugh Lane
Gallery run a Sunday at Noon
concert series, admission is free
(to the concert and the gallery),
but donations are encouraged to
keep this wonderful experience
available to visitors and locals
alike.
www.hughlane.ie
TelecityGroup - Dublin Pocket Guide 47

Chester Beatty Library


Dublin Castle

Marshs Library
St Patricks Close

The National Gallery


Merrion Square

Manuscripts, miniature paintings,


prints, drawings, rare books and
decorative arts complete this
libraries amazing collection all the result of the collecting
activities of one man - Sir Alfred
Chester Beatty (1875-1968), who
bequeathed his collection to a
trust for the benefit of the public.
His priceless collection lives on
as a celebration of the spirit and
generosity of Chester Beatty.

Marshs Library is located


close to St Patricks Cathedral.
Unchanged for three centuries,
this perfectly preserved library of
the early enlightenment houses
more than 25,000 rare and
fascinating books.

The National Gallery collection


holds some 15,000 works of art
dating from the 13th to the 20th
century.

The East Asian Collections


include an astounding series of
albums and scrolls from China,
the largest collection of jade
books from the Imperial Court
outside China.
www.cbl.ie
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Whilst the books remain


protected, the atmosphere
of Marshs library is inimitable.
Legend has it the ghost of
Narcissus Marsh surfaces at
midnight to browse through the
ancient bookshelves. But as it
closes at 5pm, youll just have
to take their word for it Entry is
around 3.

www.marshlibrary.ie

Irelands favourite painting is


Frederic William Burton, entitled,
The Meeting on the Turret Stairs.
This lovingly depicts a princess
bidding a permanent farewell to
her bodyguard.
Whilst this beautiful painting
is only on display some of the
time to preserve its quality, one
can also view paintings from J.B
Yeats, Carravagio, Vermeer and
Renoir to name a select few.
www.nationalgallery.ie
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Places of
interest & history
From the crypt of Christchurch to the
nave of St Patricks Cathedral, there
is no shortage of interesting historic
landmarks in Dublin.
And its not all about history; the Guinness
Storehouse is an excellent experience to
enjoy, with some of the best views in Dublin,
whilst Trinity College is a visual wonder,
home to the famous Book of Kells and much
more beyond in the majestic grounds.

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The real places and


tours of interest

A walking tour
As Dublin is relatively small; a walking tour is probably the best way to
experience Dublin up close. Some of the better tour guides are, Pat
Liddy walking tours and Hidden History walking tours.

Christchurch

St Patricks Cathedral

Christchurch was built by the


Normans in 1172 (although a
Cathedral has been on this site
since 1030). Inside, take time to
explore its many treasures and
curiosities including the resting
place of Strongbows tomb
(Strongbow led the Norman
invasion in Ireland in1169).

Known as the largest church


in Ireland, this Cathedral was
founded in 1191.

Another interesting walking tour is Le Cool Dublin which focuses on


the here and now of the city. Learn about hidden new cultural gems
in the city, from a gallery to a hidden coffee shop - to pop-up cultural
spaces. Something different for sure.

Downstairs in the medieval


crypt of Christchurch, you can
experience further relics of a
time gone by, including a genuine
mummified cat and rat. After
seeing these beauties, what
better time for a nice cup of tea
and a cake in the 12th Century
crypt caf founded, we believe,
sometime after the 12th century.

www.walkingtours.ie www.hiddendublinwalks.com

www.christchurchdublin.ie

Hidden History also operate the Ghost Bus, which takes the tours
along haunted places in Dublin, more comedic than scary but
they interlude with genuine history too and it stops along a famous
traditional pub called Gravediggers.

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It is said that Irelands patron


Saint, St. Patrick baptised
converts in a sacred well close to
the structure that stands today.
The writer and satirist Jonathan
Swift is laid to rest here, who was
Dean of Saint Patricks from 1713
- 1745.
Also, the world-renowned
Handels Messiah received its
first performance in 1742 sung
by the combined choir of Saint
Patricks and Christ Church.

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Trinity College &


Book of Kells

Guinness Tour

Dublin City Hall

Walking tours are available of


Trinity College, which include an
admission fee to view the Book
of Kells.

Synonymous with Ireland, the


Guinness brand is one of the
most recognised in the world, so
you can imagine that this tour is
quite popular with tourists.

Originally, built in 1779, the


atmospheric vaults of Dublin
City hall host a multi-media
exhibition, which traces over one
thousand years of Dublin history
from the arrival of the Vikings to
the modern Dublin we know and
love today. Admission is 4.

Observing the intricate detail


is incredible. But there is also
an entire exhibit about how the
book was made, the history of
the proposed authors, and an
historical analysis of the artwork
and details throughout the book.
Not to mention experiencing the
beautiful surroundings and old
library of Trinity College.
w
 ww.tcd.ie/Library/bookofkells
/trinity-tours
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To note, it is a self-guided
multi-media tour with a strong
commercial element to it, but
there is a good view from the top
of the storehouse and, word has
it, the best pint of Guinness in
Dublin.

www.guinness-storehouse.com

www.dublincastle.ie
Telecity - Dublin Pocket Guide 55

A real short history

Hapenny Bridge

A real short history


Although Ireland was first settled during the Mesolithic
period around the year 8000 BC, Dublin was founded
much later, with the Vikings laying its first streets in 841 AD.
The Vikings ruled Dublin for over
150 years, only being defeated in
1014 AD by Brian Boru (the last
King of Ireland) at the Battle of
Clontarf.

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After the Battle the Clontarf,


the Vikings of Dublin continued
to work, live and trade with the
Irish but with less power. They
had enough power however to

initiate Christ Church Cathedral


in 1030 AD, but as a wooden
church, it didnt stand the test
of time. After the Normans
invaded and seized Dublin in
1169 (led by Strongbow), they
drove the majority of the Vikings
out of Dublin. The Normans also
rebuilt Christchurch cathedral in
a Gothic style, where the present
structure still stands today.

honour of Irelands patron saint.


It stands adjacent to the famous
well where, tradition has it, Saint
Patrick baptised converts on his
visit to Dublin.

In 1171 Henry II landed with a


great army, and made Dublin
the capital of the Normans
Irish territory and the heart of
the Norman & English colony.
King Henry granted, to his men
of Bristol (England), his city of
Dublin to be inhabited, together
with all the liberties and free
customs they had at Bristol and
throughout his entire
land.

Dublin remained a relatively small


walled medieval town and was
under constant threat of raids
from the surrounding native
clans.

In 1224, Irelands
national cathedral,
Saint Patricks
Cathedral was built in

From the 14th to 18th centuries,


Dublin was incorporated into the
English Crown and, for a time,
became the second city of the
British Empire.

Dublin continued to prosper


in the 16th Century and boasts
one of the oldest universities
in the British Isles & Ireland,
Trinity College, which
was founded by Queen
Elizabeth I.

Henry II

Dublin grew even more


rapidly during the 18th
century with many
TelecityGroup - Dublin Pocket Guide 57

A real short history

famous districts and buildings


The 19th Century saw Dublin
added, such as Merrion Square,
suffering a steep political and
Parliament House and
economic decline with
the Royal Exchange,
the seat of government
later to become
moving to Westminster
Dublin City Hall.
in 1800 under the Act Of
Irelands most famous
Union.
brand, Guinness stout
was first brewed in
This Act essentially
St Patrick
1759.
formed a new country
(The United Kingdom of Great
Towards the end of the 18th
Britain and Ireland), uniting
century, OConnell Bridge and
England, Wales, Ireland and
Kilmainham Gaol had been built
Scotland. All regional parliaments
and by 1800 the population had
were abolished, and instead the
swollen to 180,000 one tenth of entire UK was to be ruled from a
the size it is today.
centralised London parliament.

From a political and economic


perspective, this meant the Irish
government representatives
could not pass laws directly.

was passed. Dublin was declared


the Capital City of the Irish Free
State and in 1949, the Capital of
the Republic of Ireland.

The city would not regain


its power until it claimed
independence in 1922 after the
1916 uprising and subsequent
War of Independence, which
led to the Irish Free State. On
21st January 1919 the first Dil
of Ireland was convened in
the Mansion House and the
Declaration of Independence

As the seat of English


administration, Dublin was the
setting for many key events
during the Irish struggle for
independence so there is a
number of historic buildings to
discover, such as the General
Post Office on OConnell Street,
Dublin Castle and Kilmainham
Gaol, where history comes alive.
TelecityGroup - Dublin Pocket Guide 59

Theatre
and Literature
Dublin has a rich theatre and arts
scene, with a host of options from
comedy, music, film and theatre,
dance and exhibitions.

From intimate comedy gigs in places like the


International Bar to a wider audience with
better known names in Vicar Street, there is
always some sort of comedy event in Dublin
literally every night of the week.
Cinemas are plentiful, alternative locations
such as the IFI, Brooks Private Cinema and
the Lighthouse offer an interesting twist on
the typical multi-screen standard cinemas.

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The Real Theatres


Dublin has a strong tradition in theatrical
experiences and a thriving theatre scene.
Visitors often enjoy theatre performances at the
world class Abbey, Gaeity or Gate Theatre.
For a different perspective, you can also sample a show at the
annual Fringe Festival (held in September every year).

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Upcoming theatre listings


www.entertainment.ie

The Gate Theatre,


North Dublin
www.gatetheatre.ie

The Abbey Theatre


www.abbeytheatre.ie
Alternative Theatre
www.projectartscentre.ie

Fringe Festival
The Gaiety Theatre,
Stephens Green
www.gaiety.ie

www.fringefest.com

TelecityGroup - Dublin Pocket Guide 63

The real literary virtuosity


Literature is at the heart of Dublin with writers from
every genre calling Dublin their home for centuries.
Its no surprise then, that Dublin was named as a UNESCO City of
Literature in 2010.

Trinity College
(The Old Library &
Berkeley Library)

The Dublin Writers


Museum

Trinity College is entitled to a free


copy of every book published
in either Ireland or the United
Kingdom so it is no surprise that
nearly 5 million printed volumes
are held in the various libraries
both on and off campus.

Swift, Sheridan, Shaw, Wilde,


Yeats, Joyce and Beckett are
among those presented in the
Dublin Writers Museum through
their books, letters, portraits and
personal items.

Acclaimed writer & Man Booker Prize winner, Anne Enright, once said,
In other towns, clever people go out and make money.
In Dublin, clever people go home and write their books.

The splendid old library of Trinity


is a wonder to behold for book
lovers whilst the nearby Berkeley
Library provides more reading
opportunity, though in a less
opulent setting.

www.tcd.ie/Library

This museum holds exhibitions,


lunchtime theatre and readings
to help the literature lover
discover, explore and appreciate
Dublins vast literary heritage.
Admission is 7.50.

www.writersmuseum.com

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Patrick Kavanagh
Excerpt from

Canal Bank Walk


Leafy-with-love banks and the green waters of the canal
Pouring redemption for me, that I do
The will of God, wallow in the habitual, the banal,
Grow with nature again as before I grew...

Brendan Kennelly
Excerpts from

Begin

...Begin to the treasures that we have squandered,


To the profit and loss, the pleasure and pain,
Begin to the knowledge that tomorrow
Is another beginning for every one...
...Though we live in a world that thinks of ending,
That always seems about to give in,
Something that will not acknowledge conclusion
Insists that we forever begin.

TelecityGroup - Dublin Pocket Guide 67

The Real Dublin is a guide to showcase Dublins


inimitable culture, history and unique attractions.
Dublin is much more than the best location for
hosting digital assets and this book will guide you every
step of the way to make the most out of your stay.

www.telecity.ie

therealdublin@telecity.com

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