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Key Attractions
Trinity College
Visitors can drift through the college among the numerous artistic ghosts in one of the world’s most famous centres of learning. Jonathan Swift, Bram Stoker, Oscar Wilde and Samuel Beckett, and many other seminal thinkers and writers, studied at Ireland’s oldest university, which was founded in 1592. With its cobbled squares, gardens and grand buildings, Trinity College 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) 677 2941. Fax: (01) 671 9003.
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; Sun 1200–1630 only (Oct–May).
Admission: €7 (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 to 1921.
Kildare Street
Tel: (01) 677 7444. Fax: (01) 677 7450.
Website: www.museum.ie
Transport: Bus 7, 7A, 8, 10, 11 or 13; DART to Pearse Station.
Opening hours: Tues–Sat 1000–1700, 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: info@ngi.ie
Website: www.nationalgallery.ie
Transport: Bus 5, 7, 7A, 7B, 10, 44, 48A or 62; DART to Pearse Station.
Opening hours: Mon–Sat 0930–1730 (until 2030 Thurs), Sun 1200–1700.
Admission: Free, although a donation of €3 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, the heart of St Laurence, the patron saint of Dublin, 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: Mon–Fri 0945–1700, Sat and Sun 1000–1700. Services Mon–Sat 0945 (morning prayer), 1200 (peace prayers), 1245 (said Eucharist), 1700 (evening prayer); Sun 1100 (sung Eucharist); plus evensong Wed and Thurs 1800, Sat 1700 and Sun 1530.
Admission: Free, however a contribution of €3 or more is requested.
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, Sun 1100–1700 (until 1800 Mon–Fri Jun, Jul and Aug).
Admission: €5.50 (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.
E-mail: info@dublincastle.ie
Website: www.dublincastle.ie
Transport: Bus 50, 50A, 54, 56A, 77, 77A or 77B.
Opening hours: Mon–Fri 1000–1700, Sat and Sun 1400–1700.
Admission: €4.25 (concessions available).
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