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.
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