By Luas - Modern trams return to dublin city, check out there routes, times and charges at luas.ie
By Bike - borrow a bike for free check out all details at dublinbikes.ie
Glasnevin Cemetery Museum - features a fully interactive exhibition highlighting the lives of those buried within the walls of the cemetery, from poets to writers,political leaders,one and all.
Dublin Zoo - Dublin Zoo was opened in 1831 by the then Royal Zoological Society of Ireland.Open 363 days a year, only closed Christmas Day & St. Stephens Day.
Dublin City Hall - City Hall is an outstanding example of the Georgian architecture for which Dublin is world-renowned. Tours of City Hall available free of charge to groups who arrange in advance. Audioguides and leaflets are available in English, Irish, German, Spanish, Italian and French.
Pheonix Park Visitor centre - A lively and entertaining exhibition on the history and the wildlife of the Phoenix Park is on display in the Visitor Centre. Here the visitor can enjoy a historical interpretation of the park from 3500 B.C. to the present day and can also view an audio-visual presentation on the Phoenix Park through the ages. Adjoining the Visitor Centre is the fully restored Ashtown Castle, a medieval tower house that probably dates from the 17th century. There is also a restaurant in the grounds of the Visitor Centre. The Centre is sign-posted from the Phoenix Monument
Garden of Remembrance - This beautiful garden in the heart of the city was designed by Daithi Hanly and dedicated to the memory of all those who gave their lives in the cause of Irish Freedom. The large sculpture by Oisin Kelly is based on the theme of the "Children of Lir". The garden is intended as a place of quiet remembrance and reflection.
National Botanical Gardens - The National Botanic Gardens is noted for its fine plant collections holding over 15,000 plant species and cultivars from a variety of habitats from all around the world. Famous for its exquisitely restored and planted glasshouses, notably the Turner Curvilinear Range and the Great Palm House, both recipients of the Europa Nostra award for excellence in conservation architecture. Visitors can enjoy such features as the Herbaceous borders, rose garden, the alpine yard, the pond area, rock garden and arboretum. Conservation plays an important role in the life of the botanic garden and Glasnevin is home to over 300 endangered plant species from around the world including 6 species, which are already extinct in the wild.
Location: 3.5 km north from centre of Dublin, Botanic Road, Glasnevin.
Bus Route(s): 19, 19A, 13, from O'Connell St.
Rathfarnham Castle - The date of the foundation of the castle is uncertain, but research would suggest 1583 as the most likely date. The castle was built by Adam Loftus, an ambitious Yorkshire clergyman, who came to Ireland as chaplain to the Lord Deputy and quickly rose to become Archbishop of Dublin, Lord Chancellor of Ireland and was closely involved in the establishment of Trinity College. The castle has a very colourful and interesting history and visitors can view fine 18th century interiors by Sir William Chambers and James 'Athenian' Stuart. The castle is presented as a castle undergoing conservation and visitors can see tantalizing glimpses of layers of the castle's earlier existence uncovered during research.
Location: Rathfarnham By-pass, between Rathfarnham Road and Grange Road (near Rathfarnham Village)
Bus Routes: 16/16A from City Centre, 17 (Blackrock - Rialto), 75 (Dun Laoghaire - Tallaght)
St Audoen's Church - Sited in the heart of the walled medieval city, St Audoen's Church is the only remaining medieval parish church in Dublin. It is dedicated to St Ouen the 7th century bishop of Rouen and patron saint of Normandy. The Guild Chapel of St Anne houses an award-winning exhibition on the importance of St Audoen's Church in the life of the medieval city. Visitors to St Audoen's will see the part of the church still in use by the Church of Ireland as a parish church. They can also view the 17th century memorials to the Sparke and Duff families and the 15th century effigial tomb to Baron Portlester and his wife.
Location: Close to Christ Church Cathedral
The Irish Museum of Modern Art, in collaboration with the Office of Public Works, presents the magnificent 17th century Royal Hospital, Kilmainham.
There are guided tours during the summer months, from June to early September. These informative tours allow visitors to discover and explore the building and grounds of the Royal Hospital. They include the stunning Baroque Chapel, Master's Quarters and the Great Hall, where the only public collection of early portraits remain in their original location, and access to the beautiful 17th-century formal gardens.
Facilities also include an Audio Visual display and newly created, year-round permanent exhibition, which brings together many fascinating and intriguing objects and facts on the original grounds and building of the Royal Hospital.
The Royal Hospital houses the Irish Museum of Modern Art.
Location: 3.5km from City Centre, just off the N7 opposite Heuston Station.
St Steven's Green - Ireland's best known Victorian public park. Re-opened by Lord Ardilaun in 1880 for the citizens of Dublin. This 9 hectare / 22 acre park has been maintained in the original Victorian layout with extensive perimeter tree and shrub planting, spectacular spring and summer Victorian bedding. The herbaceous border also provides colour from early spring to late autumn. Sanctuary from inclement weather can be obtained in the Victorian lakeside shelter or in the Victorian Swiss shelters in the center of the park.
Over 3.5 km of pathways are accessible for all users. The waterfall and Pulham rock work on the western side of the green are worth of a visit likewise the ornamental lake which provides a home for waterfowl and a garden for the visually impaired. A number of sculptures are located throughout the green. A children's playground is a popular attraction of the park. Lunchtime concerts are performed during the summer months.
Location: Centre of Dublin, at the top of Grafton Street.
Government Buildings - The imposing complex of Government Buildings on Upper Merrion Street was undertaken by the British administration in Ireland. It was designed for two new government departments, the Local Government Board and the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction, as well as the Royal College of Science, then housed in 51 St Stephen's Green. Fortuitously, the complex was completed in March 1922, and was available immediately to be occupied by the new Irish Free State government. In more recent times, the building has been converted and entirely refurbished to form modern accommodation for a number of departments including the Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Finance and the Office of the Attorney General.
Location: Beside the Merrion Square West entrance to Leinster House
The Iveagh Gardens - are among the finest and least known of Dublin's parks and gardens. They were designed by Ninian Niven, in 1865, as an intermediate design between the 'French Formal' and the 'English Landscape' styles. They demonstrated the artistic skills of the landscape Architect of the mid 19th century and display a unique collection of landscape features which include Rustic Grotto's and Cascade, sunken formal panels of lawn with Fountain Centre Pieces, Wilderness, Woodlands, Maze, Rosarium, American Garden, Archery Grounds, Rockeries and Rooteries.
The conservation and restoration of the Gardens commenced in 1995 and to date most of the features have been restored, for example the Maze in Box hedging with a Sundial as a centrer piece. The recently restored Cascade and exotic tree ferns all help to create a sense of wonder in the 'Secret Garden'. The pre 1860s rose varieties add an extra dimension to the Victorian Rosarium.
Location: Access now from Hatch Street. Disabled access Clonmel Street and Hatch Street
Dublin Castle - is the heart of historic Dublin. The city gets its name from the Black Pool _ "Dubh Linn" which was located on the site of present castle grounds. The state apartments,undercroft and chapel royal are open to visitors.
Trinity College & Book of Kells - is the oldest university in Ireland founded by Queen Elizabeth 1, in 1592. Situated on a 40-acre site in the heart of Dublin city,with its cobbled squares, gardens and parks, take a relaxing stroll through the grounds, and perhaps visit the world famous Book Of Kells.
Kilmainham Goal - opened in 1796 and closed in 1924, Leaders of the rebellions of 1798, 1803, 1848, 1867 and 1916 were all detained within. A visit to dublin would not be complete without a realistic insight into what it was like to be confined within this bastion of punishment and correction.
National Museum of Ireland Archeology - first opened its doors in 1890 located on Kildare Street, a stroll through time will take you back to 7000BC. Entrance is FREE
National Gallery of Ireland - established by an act of Parliament in 1854 it opened its doors in January 1864 Todays extensive collection of 2,500 paintings and some 10,000 other works including watercolours,drawings,prints and sculptures. Entrance is FREE
National Museum of Decorative arts and history at Collins Barracks - Must do in Dublin, Collins Barracks itself it is said is Irelands largest artifact. Entrance is FREE
St Michans Church - it is believed that Handel played the organ here as he composed the Messiah. Hidden in the crypt of this church in Dublin 7 are several naturally mummified corpses, including those of the leaders of the 1798 rebellion, and the body of a soldier of the crusades, whose body was cut in half to fit him into this coffin.
Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church - holds the remains of St Valentine, given to the church by Pope Gregory XV1 in 1837
Aras an Uachtarain - Take a guided tour of the Presidents residence which is available FREE on Saturdays, please note tickets are issued on the day at the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre.
