tourist attractions dublin

Smithfield can be described as one of the most historic areas in Dublin city, as it is the site where horse and cattle trading began in 1664 and the markets in 1913. 1999 saw a huge redevelopment of the area when the 400,000 antique cobblestones in the famous square were manually removed and the grime of 120 years was cleaned off by hand before they were re-laid alongside new granite slabs. During this redevelopment, the long standing tradition of the monthly horse fair was moved to a temporary...

Dedicated to St. Michan, a Dublin saint, in 1095, it formed part of the parish of the same name which was the only city parish north of the river for 600 years. In its present form, it is a rectangular church with a gallery and with a tower at the west end, all dating probably to 1683-6.

In the entrance hall are the remains of an organ incorrectly said to have been played by Handel when he was composing his oratorio Messiah in 1742. An 18th century organ adorns the west wall; it is...

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...

James Butler, Duke of Ormonde, founded the Royal Hospital at Kilmainham having first obtained a charter from charles II in 1680.

The Duke's plans for a hospice for pensioner soldiers was based on the institution of 'Les Invalides' in Paris. The Royal Hospital is now the oldest surviving fully classical building in Ireland. It is also the largest 17th century building.

Ranged around the quadrangle, the building includes the Master's Quarters for the governor of the hospita...

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....

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 Hugh Lane Art Gallery is located in Charlemont House on Parnell Square and is one of Dublin's major attractions. Charlemont House was designed by Sir William Chambers, who also designed the Casino at Marino.
The gallery was founded by Sir Hugh Lane in 1908, who was an avid collector of impressionist art. His attempts to donate his collection to the city of Dublin, at the turn of the century were met with indifference and little effort was made to raise the money for the gallery. It...

The portico of the General Post Office (GPO), built by Francis Johnston in 1815-1818, dominates the profile of O’Connell Street. The three stone figures by Edward Smyth above the pediment represent Mercury, Hibernia and Fidelity.
This was the main stronghold of the Irish Volunteers in 1916 Easter Rising. During the battle the building was set alight and was then abandoned after the surrender by the rebellion leaders, who were then executed in Kilmainham Gaol. The bullet marks from this...