Discover Dublin with Golden Ireland
The over 55s travel website, Golden Ireland.ie, www.goldenireland.ie explores Ireland’s capital city – a cultural delight to visit at any time of year.
Dublin is a vibrant and welcoming city, known for its friendly people, cultural heritage and is a UNESCO City of Literature with no less than four Nobel prize winners – Yeats, Beckett, Shaw and Heaney.
Present-day Dublin (Baile Átha Claith) can trace its origins back more than a millennium. The city’s first settlement, Áth Cliath (Hurdled Fort) was founded in what is now the High Street/Cornmarket area of the city during the 4th century. During the 6th century, a monastery was founded on the southside of the city and became known as as Duibhlinn (Blackpool) which was eventually settled by the Vikings, when their raids in Ireland began around the 9th century.
Dublin saw a further invasion by the Norsemen in 1170 and in medieval times it became the capital of the English Lordship. Dublin’s medieval streetscape is faithfully preserved around the cobbled streets of Temple Bar. Stretches of the old city walls can still be found in Wood Quay and St Audeon’s Arch.
Strolling through Dublin today, you’ll see beautiful Georgian townhouses, Edwardian facades and Victorian parks. In some of these city centre buildings, you may also spot bullet holes that date to the 1916 Rising. Its long and often times troubled history makes Dublin an interesting city to explore with echoes of its past reflected almost everywhere you visit.
Top Ten Things To Do in Dublin Video
Recommended Experiences for you to Explore
The Book of Kells and Trinity College
Trinity College library
Considered to be one of Ireland’s greatest cultural treasures, The Book of Kells is a beautiful illuminated manuscript in Latin containing the four gospels of the New Testament. Located within Trinity College’s Treasury, the tour here includes a visit to the Long Room Library, one of Europe’s most magnificent libraries housing over 200,000 of Trinity’s oldest books.
Guinness Storehouse
Outside the Guinness Storehouse
Ireland’s number one visitor attraction – experience the history of Ireland’s most iconic beer and afterward enjoy a complimentary pint or glass of the black stuff in the 360-degree Gravity Bar.
Kilmainham Gaol
The Gaol is the largest unoccupied prison in Europe and by the time it had closed in 1924, many of Ireland’s foremost political figures had passed through its cells, including Robert Emmet, Charles Stewart Parnell, President Eamon de Valera, and the leaders of the 1916 Rising (14 of whom were executed in the stonecutter’s yard).
EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum
Located in the historic vaults of the CHQ Building at Custom House Quay, the museum explores the past of Ireland’s diaspora in brilliant interactive detail, and the state-of-the-art visitor experience explores the inspiring journeys of over 10 million people who left Ireland’s shores throughout history.
St Patrick’s and Christ Church Cathedrals
Dublin’s two ancient cathedrals make a striking pair. Built beside a well where Ireland’s patron saint baptised converts, St. Patrick’s dates back to 1220. Just a 10-minute walk away, Christ Church has attracted pilgrims for almost 1,000 years, and today one of its biggest attractions is its medieval crypt.
Temple bar
Dublin Castle
Under British rule from 1230 until 1921 it has been a court, a fortress, even a site of execution in its time, and its architecture has evolved and grown down through the centuries. Wander the grounds, or take a guided tour to the state apartments, medieval undercroft and the Chapel Royal.
Dublin’s Free Museums
The National Museum of Ireland on Kildare Street has one of the largest gold collections in Europe along with other amazing treasures such as a 4,500-year-old logboat from County Galway. Within a stone’s throw, you can visit The National Gallery of Ireland which includes wonderful European and Irish fine art, with an acclaimed collection of works by Irish painter Jack B Yeats. Don’t forget the National Museum of Decorative Arts and History in Collins Barracks or head to the Hugh Lane Gallery to see the world-renowned Francis Bacon Studio.
Top Hotels to Stay
Stauntons on the Green – located in the heart of historic Dublin with easy access to city center attractions.
B&B rates from €70pps
Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge – one of the finest 4 star hotels in the heart of Dublin 4
B&B rates from €60pps
The Address Connolly – a perfect retreat boasting exceptional convenience to the city’s prime venues and attractions right in the heart of Dublin city centre.
B&B rates from €70 pps
Number 31 – one of the most beloved boltholes in Georgian Dublin City Centre, Number 31 Luxury Townhouse is renowned for personal service. Top notch breakfast and laid back atmosphere.
B&B rates from €85pps
Castleknock Hotel – an award winning 4 star hotel on beautiful grounds right on the doorstep of Dublin. With an 18 hole golf course, a deluxe day spa and award winning restaurants.
Great value over 55’s Dinner, Bed and Breakfast packages from only €95 pps
Brooks Hotel – an independent and Irish owned four-star boutique hotel located on Drury Street in the heart of Dublin City Centre, just a 2-minute walk from Grafton Street and St. Stephen’s Green.
B&B rates from €97.50 pps
For more information on Dublin visit Golden Ireland here
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