Places in Dublin
 Trinity College
Touring Dublin should kick off with a visit to Trinity College,
Ireland's top university. Founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I,
Trinity College boasts some world-famous alumni. Just a few names:
philosopher Edmund Burke, Jonathan Swift, Wolfe Tone, the man
behind the 1798 uprising, Bram Stoker the author of "Dracula",
or Samuel Beckett and Oscar Wilde. Trinity College has its share
in the history of women's fight for equal rights: it was the first
European University to grant degrees to women.
Trinity College is also the home to two wonders of literature
and arts - combined excellently together. The famous "Book of
Kells" and the "Book of Durrow", two priceless manuscripts from
the early Middle Ages ("Book of Durrow dates back to the 7th century)
are on display behind thick glass. Every day, a page of Book of
Kells is turned over for the visitors showing yet another masterfully
illuminated page.
read more about Trinity College
 Temple Bar
For the change from the intellectual atmosphere of the Trinity
College it is good to visit Temple Bar. Not a particular bar it
is, but a whole district of pubs, clubs, and entertainment venues.
Temple Bar used to be a district for the monks, yet after the
16th century liquidation of monastic orders pubs and brothels
quickly moved in. Another change came in the 19th century when
Tempe Bar became Mecca for traders and business people. The Temple
Bar of today is a mixture of its colourful past but it might have
been not so, if not for dropping the unfortunate idea to build
a modern bus station there. Additional
feature of Temple Bar is its recent bent towards modern arts.
Many exhibition of contemporary Irish artists are held in the
district, especially in the excellent Temple Bar Gallery and Studios.
read more about Temple Bar
 Guinness Brewery
One can have a pint of Guinness virtually anywhere in Dublin,
but why not have it where it is being born? Dublin is the home
to the Guinness Brewery which - at least in the eyes of the Irish
people - is not just another company. Truly. The brewery itself
is not open for the public which is a pity, but those wanting
to know the history of the company may visit the Guinness Storehouse.
It has exhibits and the famous Gravity Bar on the roof of the
building, giving your Guinness a special
taste. It is said the closer to the brewery your pint is poured
into glass, the better it is. This gives an advantage to all Dublin bartenders over those from the rest of the country, but then again,
Dublin is different from the Republic indeed.
read more about Guinness Brewery
 Phoenix Park
The Phoenix Park is, like the Guinness Brewery, much more than
just another city park. First of all, it is big - twice as big
as the NYC's Central Park. You can see there the former residence
of Ireland's viceroy, now a home to the president of the Republic
of Ireland. Arguably two most important diplomatic buildings in
Ireland are located nearby: the US Embassy and the Vatican's nunciature.
The Phoenix Park also has a popular flea market and the second
oldest zoo in Europe. If you ever wondered about the MGM's roaring
lion at the beginning of every other film, there is the answer:
it was born in the Dublin zoo.
read more about Phoenix Park |
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