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Dublin, Ireland Guide - - Hotels, Restaurants, Nightlife - Classic Travel



History, culture, shopping, pubs and nightlife define the cosmopolitan yet laid back city of Dublin.  Birthplace of Joyce, Wilde, Yeats and, of course, Guinness!  Dublin will win you over with its elegant Georgian architecture, countless art galleries and always lively pubs and clubs.  This is the ultimate city to celebrate St. Patrick's Day...every day of the year!

Activities

National Gallery of Ireland
Merrion Square West & Clare Street
Tel. 353.1.661.5133
www.nationalgallery.ie
This museum was always about Irish artists between the 17th and 20th century.  However, the museum has recently acquired a selection of Italian works including Caravaggio's masterpiece "Taking of Christ".
Also added are Van Gogh's "Rooftop in Paris". There is no charge for admission.

Smithfield Market
Smithfield
Tel. 353.1.817.3800

The first Sunday of every month features the traditional Horse Market.
This is a not to be missed equine spectacle where horses and Dubliners mix wit with whinny.

Trinity College Library
Tel. 353.1.677.2941
www.tcd.ie/Library

Founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I, the leafy cobbled thruways of Trinity are absolutely gorgious.  Drop by the library to see "Book of Kells," the most ornate of Ireland's illuminated manuscripts.

St. Michan's Church
A guide will lead you through the graveyard to vaults containing mummified bodies, including the 650 year old corpse called the Crusader.

Guinness Storehouse
Crane Street (Saint James Gate)
Tel.353.1.408.4800
See how the "black stuff" is made and sample a pint.  This extensive tour
takes you through 200 years of brewing Guiness until you can tell your hopped wort from your masher.

Dining

Shanahan's on the Green
119 St. Stephen's Green
Tel. 353.1.407.0939
www.shanahans.ie

Steak as good as it gets east of the U.S.  Service and decor are tops as well. A real surprise!

Patrick Guilband
21 Upper Merrion Street
Tel. 353.1.676.4192

This may be the best restaurant in Dublin.  The space is contemporary with wonderful lighting.  Service is also excellent.  The prix fixe luncheon is a must. 

Shopping

Brown Thomas
88-95 Grafton Street
Tel. 353.1.605.6666
www.brownthomas.com
This is Dublin's grand department store.  Established in 1849 it is still about luxury retailing and if you're a shopper a walk through here is a must.

Powerhouse Townhouse Centre
59 South William Street
Tel. 353.1.679.5718
This Irish designer shopping experience is all luxury goods.

Avoca
11 Suffolk Street
Tel. 353.1.677.4215
www.avoca.ie
Dublin shoppers come here because it is not a multinational chain. It is a family run mini-department store that traces its roots to a 280 year old woolen mill south of Dublin.  The decor itself is fun if not a bit distracting from the merchandise displayed.  The four floors are devoted mostly to women's clothing but also offered are stacks of wonderful mohair and lamb's wool blankets.  The top-floor restaurant is definitely worth a visit for lunch and has an amazing wine list for a department store restaurant.

Resorces

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Coastline runs
For the jogger, Dublin has two runs along the coast that are picturesque.
One is the sand of Dollymount beach on Bull Island and other is a paved running and cycling path from the Merrion gates past the Martello Tower on Strand Road to Sandymount.

Nightlife

Vintage Cocktail Club
15 Crown Alley
Tel. 353.1.675.3547
http://www.vintagecocktailclub.com%20
This speakeasy type bar (ring the bell) stays open long after others have closed qne serves mixed cocktails, a novelty where most serve pints and whiskey.

Ely Wine Bar
22 Ely Place
Tel. 353.1.676.8986
www.elywinebar.ie
This bistro has more then 90 wines available by the glass.  No wonder that is one of those after work places that is very popular.  The street level lounge has an onyx bar and stone fireplace.  Good irish food such as lamb burgers and bangers and mash are served as well.

Spirit
57 Middle Abbey Street
Tel. 353.1.877.9999
www.spiritdublin.com

This 2000 person capacity club has them coming from all over Ireland. The spectacular stage shows take Dublin nightlife to a new level.

Redbox
Old Harcourt Street Train Station
Tel. 353.1.478.0166
Great dance club with a top sound system. Irish and visiting international DJ's help to make this club first rate all the way.

Gubu
7-8 Capel Street
Tel. 353.1.874.0710
The all-new GUBU was created by the owners of The Front Lounge, who put the same care into opening up the exciting, stylish and heady atmosphere of a gay bar to the straight community and making it one of the hippest spots in the city.