Twenty-Four Vacation Spots in Dublin Ireland
Enjoy Your Vacation in Dublin

Dublin and Ireland are known for vacation spots with ancient ruins and castles, remarkable landscapes, Georgian architecture, St. Patrick and neighborhood pubs. The rainfall creates brilliant gardens, fields in shades of emerald green, and rainbows. This is the musical home of the Irish Tenors, Celtic Woman and Riverdance. In Ireland you'll find the love for language that nourished great writers and lasting literature, James Joyce for one. You'll hear legendary stories of druids and leprechauns, and be haunted by the wild romantic coast seascapes. Here are 24 wonderful vacation spots in Dublin Ireland. An interactive Google map of of vacation spots in Dublin, is at the bottom of this page.

1. Interesting Facts About Dublin Ireland
2. Vacation Spots in Dublin: Historical Walking Tour
3. Vacation Spots in Dublin: Trinity College
4. Vacation Spots in Dublin: Book of Kells
5. Vacation Spots in Dublin: Musical Pub Crawl
6. Vacation Spots in Dublin: Dublin Castle
7. Vacation Spots in Dublin: Chester Beatty Library
8. Vacation Spots in Dublin: Christ Church Cathedral
9. Vacation Spots in Dublin: Kilmainham Gaol
10. Vacation Spots in Dublin: Grafton Street
11. Video: Molly Malone, performed by the Dubliners
12. Vacation Spots in Dublin: Number 29 Georgian House
13. Vacation Spots in Dublin: Temple Bar
14. Vacation Spots in Dublin: O'Connell Bridge
15. Vacation Spots in Dublin: O'Connell Street
16. Vacation Spots in Dublin: National Museum
17. Vacation Spots in Dublin: National Gallery
18. Vacation Spots in Dublin: National Library
19. Vacation Spots in Dublin: St. Stephen's Green
20. Vacation Spots in Dublin: Merrion Square
21. Vacation Spots in Dublin: Guinness Brewery
22. Vacation Spots in Dublin: Gaelic Athletic Museum
23. Vacation Spots in Dublin: Bus Tours
24. Vacation Spots in Dublin: Writers' Museum
25. Vacation Spots in Dublin: Smithfield Village
26. Google Interactive Map of Vacation Spots in Dublin

Before we see the vacation spots of Dublin, let me tell you a little bit about the city. Dublin is the capital city of Ireland, a magical place called the Emerald Isle for its many shades of rich green fields. Ireland is offically named the Republic of Ireland, or Eire. It is on an island about half as big as New York State. One one side of Ireland is the Atlantic Ocean, and on the other side is the Irish Sea. Four million people live here, about the population of Kentucky. Their language is English, spoken with a bit of a brogue. Their largest religion is Roman Catholic. Their currency is the euro. The Republic of Ireland includes most of the island. The remaining land is known as Northern Ireland, with six northeastern counties and Belfast as its capital city. Northern Ireland, predominantly Protestant, is part of the United Kingdom.

Interesting Facts About Dublin Ireland

Dublin, located halfway down Ireland's east coast, is the rallying point for tourists on vacation in Ireland. Dublin overlooks Dublin Bay and the Irish Sea, with the River Liffey flowing through the city. Dublin is the capital of the Republic of Ireland and the only large city. The tallest building just 16 stories high, although new construction is underway.

Originally founded as a small Viking settlement, Dublin has one of the fastest growing populations of any European city. The Irish are famous for their love of language, culture, sports and passion for life. Sightseeing in Dublin is memorable, and I'll get to that soon, but even more memorable are the people you'll meet, warm, friendly and interested in meeting you.

The pub, or public house, is a national institution, the center of Irish social life, for live music, gossip, a hot meal, storytelling and a foaming pint. There really is a pub on every corner. Drop in and join the fun, the chat, the merriment and the music. That's where you'll find the heart of Ireland.

Dubliners are obsessed with sports. Football and hurling are the national pastimes, with lots of interest in rugby, soccer, horse racing and cricket. The emerald green golf courses draw tourists on golfing excursions.

The shops in and around Dublin are always popular vacation spots. You'll find the famous Aran sweaters, Donegal tweeds and Waterford crystal. Irish Belleek porcelain is so thin you can see the light through a dinner plate. But did you know that Ireland exports more computer software than any other country?

Traditional foods of Dublin and Ireland are Irish stew, a potato and cabbage dish called colcannon, champ, and soda bread. Ireland is the home of Baileys Irish Cream, Irish coffee, Irish whiskey and Guinness beer, so fill your cup.

Avoid the headache of driving while in Dublin. Most vacation spots are within walking distance of the city center. Travel is quick if you take the bus or the taxi, because highway lanes are reserved for them. DART, Dublin Area Rapid Transit, follows a scenic route along the coastline.

Vacation Spots in Dublin: Historical Walking Tour

Historical Walking Tour. This two hour walk around the vacation spots is your best introduction to Dublin. The entertaining tours are led by young knowledgable students of history. They take you through Trinity College, Old Parliament House, Dublin Castle and Christ Church Cathedral.

Vacation Spots in Dublin: Trinity College

Trinity College was founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I and is Ireland's most important college. Take a guided tour of this vacation spot to enjoy the Georgian architecture and student life. Your tour will end at Trinity Old Library where you can see the Book of Kells.

Vacation Spots in Dublin: Book of Kells

Book of Kells. Trinity Old Library is the only college building tourists can enter. It holds the Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript of the Gospels 1200 years old from the Dark Ages. It is a work of art and is called the most beautiful book in the world. Also, the Book of Armagh from 807 A.D. and the Book of Durow A.D. 680 are sights to see here, along with many noteworthy historical documents. See the introductory exhibit and videos tp get an appreciation of what this book means.

Vacation Spots in Dublin: Musical Pub Crawl

Traditional Irish Musical Pub Crawl. You might catch the next U2, Bono, Glen Hansard or Damien Rice in action! Take a guided tour of three pubs, where the musicians will introduce you to their instruments and art. Or plan your own tour of vacation spots by walking down Grafton Street and listening for music. The streets surrounding Grafton Street are home to some of Dublin’s most famous pubs including Davy Byrnes, The Bailey, Bruxelles, McDaids, and The International. Dublin has more than 120 clubs and music pubs to choose from. Learn to dance an Irish Jig, the lively folk dance. Michael Flatley created Riverdance to show off traditional Irish step dancing in a theatrical show.

Vacation Spots in Dublin: Dublin Castle

Dublin Castle is 700 years old, an austere castle on the River Poddle. Dublin Castle was built by the order of King John of England in 1204, to defend the city and protect the king's treasure. The stone Record Tower, completed in 1228, still survives from the original medieval Norman castle. Dublin Castle contains the throne room, state rooms and lavishly decorated state apartments.

Vacation Spots in Dublin: Chester Beatty Library

Chester Beatty Library was endowed by American expatriate Chester Beatty, a rich American mining engineer who retired to Ireland in 1950. His collection includes literary and religious treasures of the orient, and medieval Europe and Islam, ancient books, books carved out of jade, and the oldest surviving copy of St. Paul's letter to the Romans from 180 A.D.

Vacation Spots in Dublin: Christ Church Cathedral

Christ Church Cathedral and St. Patrick's Church, the two architecturally important churches of Dublin, are not Roman Catholic, but Church of Ireland.

Vacation Spots in Dublin: Kilmainham Gaol

Kilmainham Gaol, a historic vacation spot, built in 1796, was used by the British as a political prison. The list of famous Irish in the campaign for Irish independence who were imprisoned here is long. Today it is a museum dedicated to the suffering of the Irish people. Here the British imprisoned and executed the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising. Kilmainham Gaol has been described as the Irish Bastille.

Vacation Spots in Dublin: Grafton Street

Grafton Street is Dublin's busiest pediestrian shopping mall. Take time to browse stores like Maraks & Spencer and Brown Thomas and St. Stephen's Green Shopping Centre. Try on an Aran sweater or a Donegal tweed suit. Buskers, including musicians, poets and mime artists, perform for the shopping crowds. Henry Street on the northside of Dublin is another shopping area.

Video: Molly Malone, performed by the Dubliners

Here on Grafton Street, the statue of Molly Malone with her fish cart keeps alive the legend of a beautiful 17th century street peddler who died young. Locals call it "the tart with the cart." The song Molly Malone, also known as "Cockles and Mussels" or "In Dublin's Fair City" has become the unofficial anthem of Dublin City. The song goes like this, in a performance of the Dubliners.

In Dublin's fair city,
where the girls are so pretty,
I first set my eyes on sweet Molly Malone,
As she wheeled her wheel-barrow,
Through streets broad and narrow,
Crying, "Cockles and mussels, alive, alive, oh!"

(Chorus)"Alive, alive, oh,
Alive, alive, oh",
Crying "Cockles and mussels, alive, alive, oh".

She was a fishmonger,
But sure 'twas no wonder,
For so were her father and mother before,
And they each wheeled their barrow,
Through streets broad and narrow,
Crying, "Cockles and mussels, alive, alive, oh!"

She died of a fever,
And no one could save her,
And that was the end of sweet Molly Malone.
Now her ghost wheels her barrow,
Through streets broad and narrow,
Crying, "Cockles and mussels, alive, alive, oh!"

Vacation Spots in Dublin: Number 29 Georgian House

Number Twenty-Nine Georgian House is a restored 18th-century house and museum. Visitors can take a guided tour of this vacation spot from the basement to the attic, through rooms which have been furnished as they would have been in the years 1790 to 1820.

Vacation Spots in Dublin: Temple Bar

Temple Bar, Dublin's Left Bank area, south of the River Liffey, could be called the heart of Dublin, a trendy neighborhood of shops, cafes, theaters, galleries, restaurants and pubs with live music. Temple Bar is a great vacation spot to find live traditional Irish music and eccentric characters. In Ireland "bar" means "walk" or "way." Thus, Temple Bar. Also walk aross the picturesque Ha' Penny Bridge, that is to say, Half Penny Bridge , over the River Liffey to more sights and reveling.

Vacation Spots in Dublin: O'Connell Bridge

O'Connell Bridge is a landmark bridge spanning the River Liffey at the center of Dublin. Near this vacation spot on the north bank of the Liffey is Custom House Quay and the Famine Memorial. These haunting statues honor the victims of the Great Potato Famine of 1845-1849. When the important potato crop was ruined with blight, millions of Irish starved and died. Millions more Irish people emigrated to Great Britain, Australia and America, possibly some of your ancestors.

Vacation Spots in Dublin: O'Connell Street

The walk down O'Connell Street from the O'Connell bridge has been Dublin's grand promenade and main drag since 1794. It is full of history and sights to see as you tour this area. Along the way are statues of:

• Daniel O'Connell, called the Liberator
• James Larkin the founder of the Irish Transport Workers' Union
• Millenium Spirit
• Father Matthew, leader of the temperance movement
• Charles Stewart Parnell, a member of parliament around 1880 who worked for Irish Home Rule.

The famous Abbey Theater is on this street, along with St. Mary's Church. The lovely Garden of Remembrance nearby is dedicated to the victims of the 1916 Uprising. Here also is the Dublin Writers' Museum. No country so small has produced such a wealth of literature. Next door to the Dublin Writers' Museum is the Hugh Lane Gallery of fine art.

Vacation Spots in Dublin: National Museum

National Museum is a free public museum devoted to Archaeology and History and the Irish Decorative Arts, with a collection of Irish treasures from the Stone Age to modern times. Browse the Irish art, dress, furniture, silver and weaponry. The Tara Brooch from the eighth century is one of the highlights. Next door in Leinster House is where the Irish Dail and Seanad, parliament and senate, meet.

Vacation Spots in Dublin: National Gallery

National Gallery is a free museum of art with a fine collection of top Irish painters and European masters. Jack Yeats, the brother of the poet, is included with other native Irish painters. The National Gallery also has a collection of European masters including Vermeer, Caravaggio, Monet, and Picasso.

Vacation Spots in Dublin: National Library

National Library has exhibits of Ireland's literary geniuses. If you are studying your family's Irish geneology, the library records here can help. Many birth records were lost when the national archives office burned during the war for independence.

Vacation Spots in Dublin: St. Stephen's Green

St. Stephen's Green is a city park adjacent to Grafton Street that dates from 1664 or earlier. It is a relaxing vacation spot with more statues than I can mention here, gardens and even palm trees, surrounded by fine Georgian buildings.

Vacation Spots in Dublin: Merrion Square

Merrion Square is an inviting public park, near elegant Georgian houses, that dates from 1762. Say hello to the amusing statue of Oscar Wilde, Ireland's great playwright. Across from Oscar are two marble columns carved with Wilde wit and wisdom. The words are in Wilde's own handwriting, so that it looks like graffiti from a distance.

Vacation Spots in Dublin: Guinness Brewery

Guinness Brewery and Storehouse is the home of Ireland's national beer and another must-see vacation spot in Dublin. They have a museum of beer-making, a gallery of clever ads, and the spectacular Gravity Bar with a panoramic 360 degree view of the city. This is Dublin's most popular attraction.

Vacation Spots in Dublin: Gaelic Athletic Museum

Gaelic Athletic Association Museum is a high-tech museum of traditional Gaelic sports such as hurling and Irish football, camogie and handball. Historical artifacts, works of art, literature, photographs and memorabilia celebrate these uniquely Irish sports.

Vacation Spots in Dublin: Bus Tours

Tour the vacation spots of Dublin by bus on the hop-on, hop-off bus tours. The 90 minute trip includes 20 stops at the best attractions and vacation spots. The buses are double-decker with seating on top. There is also a unique Ghost Bus Tour through some of the supposedly haunted places in the city.

Viking Splash Tours take you in a WWII amphibious vehicle driven by a guide in Viking costume. You'll see the vacation spots of Dublin with emphasis on Dublin and Irish history, punctuated with a good Viking roar.

Vacation Spots in Dublin: Writers' Museum

Dublin Writers' Museum is an interesting vacation spot. This small island has given the world some of its greatest writers, playwrights and poets. Its literary heritage includes Oscar Wilde, Jonathan Swift, James Joyce, Sean O'Casey, W.B. Yeats and George Bernard Shaw. Ireland continues its literary tradition with many new writers, including Seamus Heaney, the recent winner of the Nobel and Pulitzer prizes. The James Joyce Cultural Center is nearby. The James Joyce Museum is in the suburb of Dun Laoghaire, seven miles south of Dublin.

Vacation Spots in Dublin: Smithfield Village

The most popular vacation spot is Dublin's Smithfield Village and the Old Jameson Distillery whiskey tour have videos, a tour of the operations and a free sample in the pub. Learn how good Irish whiskey is malted, milled, mashed, fermented, distilled and aged.

I hope you enjoy the vacation spots in Dublin as much as I've enjoyed telling you about them. There's no better way to end this article than with a toast to Erin Go Bragh, which means Ireland Forever.

Google Interactive Map of Vacation Spots in Dublin

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I hope you have a memorable vacation in Dublin.
I wish you a very happy day.

Jeff, Vacation Welcome

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24 Vacation Spots in Dublin, Ireland