Ireland is divided into two sections, Northern Ireland and Eire. Dublin is the capital city of the Republic of Ireland (Eire) part of Ireland. Known for its nightlife and Celtic music, visitors to Dublin should never lack plenty of things to do.
A good first attraction to see in the city is the Dublin Castle. A Viking fortress stood here in the 10th century, and in 1204, England's King John had a stronger castle commissioned to be built on the site. The castle was finished in 1230. Today, visitors can see the State Apartments, the Undercroft, the Royal Chapel, the Police (Garda) Museum, and the Chester Beatty Library. A gift shop, bistro, and cafe are found here.
Dublin has more than a thousand pubs, so if having a Guinness is part of your plans, it will not be difficult to find a pub. The same goes for restaurants, and there are many from which to choose.
A good place for a meal, shopping, or an authentic Irish pub, is the neighborhood of Temple Bar. This is one of Dublin's centers of history and culture. It first gained popularity in the 18th century. Handel's Messiah was performed originally at Temple Bar in 1742. There is also a cinema center in this area of the city.
Dublin offers many museums and historical places to visit. Some of these include Trinity College and its collection of very old books, the Kilmainham Gaol Historical Museum, the Dublin Writers Museum, the National Museum of Natural History, and more than fifty other museums.
One of the most impressive of these museums is the National Museum of Ireland. It is actually four different buildings, three are located in Dublin and one is found in County Mayo. The Dublin buildings are Archaeology and History, Decorative Arts and History, and Natural History. The section in County Mayo is the National Museum of Ireland Country Life. The exhibits are extensive, and a visitor needs to plan to spend enough time here to appreciate the museum.
The National Gallery of Ireland houses some of Ireland and Europe's best paintings, sculptures, and other objects d'art. There is a gallery shop and restaurant on site. There are many special exhibitions throughout the year as well as the permanent exhibits.
The Dublin Zoo houses some endangered species. Some sections of the zoo are World of Primates, World of Cats, African Plains, and Fringes of the Arctic. The zoology society here was founded in 1830 and the animals were provided by the London Zoo. The zoo is large and covers seventy acres.
Christ Church, in its earliest form, has existed since the early 11th century. The Cathedral can be toured starting at 9:45 a.m. on Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. on Saturdays and starting at 12:45 p.m. on Sundays. Another cathedral to visit is the St. Patrick's Cathedral, also in Dublin. The church, the way it is seen today, was erected in the 13th century. Inside, all of Ireland's traditions are visible, from the Anglo – Irish to Celtic, Anglo – Norman, and Medieval.
Children and adults alike should enjoy Dublin's Viking Adventure. This living history village allows visitors to experience the ancient Viking village of Dyflin over a thousand years ago. Plan at least an hour visiting Viking Adventure. Ride a Viking ship, walk through buildings of the old village, and learn about the daily lives of the people of this village through their own words as depicted by costumed guides.
The National Wax Museum in Dublin has figures representing fairy tale characters in the Children's World of Fairy Tale and Fantasy to make any visitor smile. That is just one section of the museum. There is a wax replica of de Vinci's Last Supper, figures of many of the historical people connected with Ireland, a Chamber of Horrors, and a Hall of Megastars.
For some relaxation time, there are a few beautiful parks in Dublin. A lake, fountain, flowers, trees, and monuments are found at St. Stephen's Green. The park covers more than twenty acres and free concerts from a bandstand are given here during the warm months. Another park is the Phoenix Park, covering over seventeen hundred acres. Look for beautiful landscapes and gardens, trees, and nature trails, complete with wildlife at times. Phoenix Park was first opened in the mid 18th century. The visitor center for the park offers exhibitions and a restaurant.
If you would like to catch a play while in Dublin, there are many theaters from which to choose. These include the Abbey Theater, New Eblana Theater, the Peacock Theater, the Bank of Ireland City Arts Center, Bewley's Cafe Theater, and the Samuel Beckett Center.
