tourist attractions dublin

Established by an Act of Parliament in 1854, the National Gallery first opened its doors to the public in January 1864. At the time of its inauguration there were just 105 paintings in the collection (the first purchase was 15 paintings bought in 1856 in Rome). Today the collection boasts over 2,440 paintings, 5,230 drawings, watercolours and miniatures, 3,066 prints, 331 pieces of sculpture, vestments and object d'art, making it one of the finest collections of European art. Every major Europea...

The Book of Kells contains a Latin text of the four gospels richly decorated by Irish monks around the year 800 AD. The greatest Irish work of art to survive from the Middle Ages, it has been in the library of Trinity College Dublin since the 1660s.
The ’Picturing the Word’ exhibit will place it in its historical and cultural context and compares its images and techniques to those in contemporary metalwork, bone, slate, stone and enamels. Much of the exhibition is an analysis of its ani...

City Hall is a wonderful example of 18th century Neo-Classical architecture. The building was designed by Thomas Cooley and built between 1769 and 1779 as the Royal Exchange for the Merchants of Dublin. Dublin Corporation acquired the building as its administrative headquarters in 1851 and it has been home to the City Council every since.

City Hall reopened in September 2000 after major restoration programme. As far as possible, City Hall has been returned to its original configuration....

The National Library of Ireland was founded in 1877 and has associations with famous figures in Irish history and literature, including James Joyce and William Butler Yeats. From its foundation the Library has endeavoured to collect all material of Irish interest published through the ages and throughout the world. It is the legal deposit library for all works published in Ireland.

Today the Library's collection of books, manuscripts, prints and drawings, maps, photographs, newspaper...

Temple Bar is Dublin's Cultural Quarter. First Developed in the 19th century with narrow cobbled streets running close to the banks of the river Liffey, the area is full of character and charm. The streets are pedestrianised and to really appreciate all that Temple Bar has to offer, take time to stroll around. Ideally situated in the heart of the city centre the area is a hive of activity where artists, designers and young entrepreneurs with creative ideas have set up small art galleries,...

Just beyond the Parnell Monument stands the circular Rotunda Room, which witnessed recitals by the young John Field and readings by Charles Dickens. The Rotunda Hospital (1751 - 1755) occupies the south side of the square. Designed by Richard Cassels and completed after his death, this impressive building was the first maternity hospital in Europe.

It was founded by Dr Bartholomew Moss (1712 - 1759), a tireless worker who devoted his short and busy life to midwifery and the Rotund...

The church was founded by the Anglo-Normans and dedicated to the Norman saint, St Audoen o Rouen. It was one of a group of Guild Chapels, and one of the leading churches in Dublin in its day. Public announcements, such as the Pronouncements of Papal Bulls, were made here, and public penances performed.

The west doorway probably dates to around 1200, but the lower portion of the tower above it is largely 17th century in date. The present church consists only of the nave of the orig...

Merrion Square is undoubtedly one of the finest Georgian squares in the city. Famous residents of the imposing Georgian townhouses that line the square include the parents of Oscar Wilde, who lived at Number 1, WB Yeats, Daniel O'Connell and the couturier Sybil Connolly who still lives at number 71 and whose garden is open to the public.
For an insight into life in Georgian Dublin, visit number 29 Fitzwilliam Street, a short walk from Merrion Square. This recreated Georgian family home...

This is the Head Quarters and biggest of the four National Museums in Ireland.

The museum of Decorative Arts and History houses a range of fascinating and interesting objects directly related to Irish cultural history, such as weaponry, glassware, jewellery and furniture. ...

The RDS is one of Ireland's premier venues for concerts, trade fairs and exhibitions....