This former prison is one of Dublin's most historic buildings. Dating back to 1796, the Kilmainham Gaol is a massive building that housed men, women and even children prisoners. Most notably, the Gaol is known for incarcerating famous rebels and prisoners of war. Today the building serves as a museum with exhibits, artifacts and docent-led tours.
Sheathed in acres of rolling green expanses, Phoenix Park is one of the largest city parks in Europe. This massive verdant swathe lies nestled in the west of the city, and is a mixture of wilderness and formal landscape gardens. Dotted with tree-cloaked boulevards, pristine tracts of grassland and open recreational spaces, the park is also home to some monumental, nationally significant edifices, too. The Ashtown Castle calls the park home, in addition to the towering Papal Cross which marks the visit of Pope John Paul II back in 1979, the stately Áras an Uachtaráin, the Wellington Monument which is a soaring tribute to the Duke of Wellington, and the teeming Dublin Zoo, are all nestled in its scenic, idyllic expanse. Among the many recreational activities offered here are Gaelic football, polo and cricket. Also enclosed within its viridescent fabric is a vibrant burst of plant life, while a bird sanctuary and a herd of fallow deer coexist in peaceful harmony. Playing host to an array of events, festivals as well as racing events, Phoenix Park is a massive window into the unbridled natural beauty and strategic finesse of Ireland.
A short bus ride from the city center, the splendid Botanic Gardens and its many floral wonders are a stunning treat to the senses. Accentuated all the more by the glimmering waters of River Tolka, these Irish gardens uphold an assemblage of hundreds of thousands of plants, and a smattering of botanical specimens. In all their floral glory, the gardens are a wonderland for naturalists and botany aficionados, its verdant course dotted by a string of splendid greenhouses, like the impressive, structural and glass-clad Curvilinear Range and the Palm House. The great glasshouses full of exotica were constructed in the mid 19th century and designed by Richard Turner, who was also the man behind the glasshouses at Kew Gardens. The gardens are divided into distinct areas of interest, featuring long herbaceous beds, a rose garden, alpine houses, a vegetable garden, orchid beds, an arboretum, a yew-clad walkway along the river, and a wonderful area exhibiting the various natural habitats of Ireland. Also sheltering willows plunging gracefully over gleaming waters, the National Botanic Gardens are a luxuriant canvas of natural glory and luminescence.
To many, Guinness is one of the most important features of Ireland. Completed at the cost of EUR30 million, the Guinness Storehouse is a fine addition to Dublin's ever-growing list of purpose-built attractions. Set inside a converted 18th-century fermentation building, it consists of six floors linked by a giant atrium in the shape of a pint glass. Although the actual brewery is not open to the public, the storehouse's new exhibition space outlines the 200-year history of the company and reveals many brewing secrets. The models and displays of the exhibition are followed by a short film and a glass of the famous brew! The storehouse is also home to the stylish Gravity Bar.
If whiskey is your poison, get ready to indulge to your heart's content. After the educational tour of the distillery, and your careful attention to the historical overview, retire to the in-house pub and make a little whiskey history of your own. There's also a restaurant with fixed-price menus for lunch and dinner. Whether you want to learn more about the whiskey-making process, indulge in hearty food, or taste new spirits, a visit to Old Jameson Distillery won't let you down.
Located at Stephen's Green, this little non-profit museum takes visitors through Dublin in the 20th Century. The limited scope means that visitors to the museum can relate directly to most of the exhibits. The little museum focuses among other things on the cultural transition that took place during the period. There's a surprising amount of things to discover here and it is a great way to acquaint yourself with how the great city has come to be in recent times.
This secluded garden is the perfect place for a picnic if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. The garden features a cathedral-like aisle of giant Wellington trees and a large collection of shrubs, roses and herbaceous plants: all in a tranquil woodland setting. Many of the trees on the estate date back 200 years and the work of William Darley (who collected plants from all over the world) has been continued by the garden's present owners, the Walker family. A modest admission fee is charged to help with the garden's upkeep.
Located on three floors of an elegantly restored Georgian building, the Taylor gallery features a permanent display of contemporary Irish art, including painting, graphics and sculpture. Exhibits by Bourke, Brady, Crozier, Delargy, Dennis, Doherty, Donnelly, Gale Harris, Henderson, Louis Le Brocquy, Mulcahy, Tyrrell and Jack B. Yeats are all featured here. While having a reputation for being somewhat elitist, the Taylor still offers an excellent introduction to the Irish art scene.
The Greystones Theatre presents art and entertainment events. From concerts and dance performances to art exhibitions, this centre has it all. There is also a recording and a photography studio along with a gallery in the complex where this theatre is located. The organizers take pride in mentioning that they have events for people of all ages and all tastes. With a capacity for an audience of 220-500, this venue is ideal for small to medium-sized crowds and is available on hire. The theatre also has a bar and a restaurant. Check website for event updates and more details.
In 1991, the restored site of the Royal Hospital was officially opened as the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA). Besides being the venue for excellent exhibitions and a number of educational and community-oriented projects, this splendid 17th century building also holds one of the best conferencing venues in Dublin. Namely, the Great Hall. Due to its various audio-visual facilities, the hall can used for conferences effectively. Besides the stained glass to produce a dark theater room effect, the Great Hall also has a portable stage that can be set up for performances and other events. Call for additional information.