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Bank of Ireland Arts Centre
Foster Place,
Dublin 2,
Ireland
Tel: 01 671 2261
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The excellent Bank of Ireland Arts Centre, just off College Green in the centre of Dublin, is an involving interactive museum charting 200 years of Irish history and the history of banking itself. It also covers the history of the College Green building, once used as the Irish Houses of Parliament, and tells the remarkable story of Daniel O’Connell. Additionally, there are recitals, readings and exhibitions most days and the museum also has an excellent café.
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Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane
Parnell Square North,
Dublin 1,
Ireland
Tel: 01 2225550
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The Dublin City Gallery is located right in the centre of Dublin, and is home to a superb collection of modern and contemporary art. The original collection was donated to the gallery by founder Hugh Lane, and today there are believed to be more than 2000 examples of Irish and international artworks, from impressionist masterpieces to contemporary works from local artists. A recent multi-million Euro extension has made the gallery even more impressive, almost doubling its size.
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Dublin’s City Hall – The Story of the Capital
Dame Street,
Dublin 2,
Ireland
Tel: 01 6722204
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Dublin’s attractive City Hall is a landmark in the city centre, and was restored between 1998 and 2000; in its vaults can be found the remarkable exhibition The Story of the Capital. It is an interesting multimedia presentation of Dublin’s history, from its founding during the days of the Vikings, through prosperity and oppression, and finally to the city we all love today. Guided tours of the magnificent neo-classical City Hall are also available on request.
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GAA Museum
Croke Park,
Dublin 3,
Ireland
Tel: 01 8192323
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Dublin’s Croke Park is famous as the home of Gaelic Football in Ireland, and here you will find the excellent Gaelic Athletic Association Museum, which is a must-see attraction for any visitor to Dublin interested in Irish culture and sport. The museum is open daily, and explains the unique contribution made by the GAA to Irish sporting, social and cultural spheres since its foundation in 1884.
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Irish Museum of Modern Art
Royal Hospital,
Kilmainham,
Dublin 8,
Ireland
Tel: 01 6129900
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Set in the beautiful 17th Century Royal Hospital Building, in the heart of Dublin City Centre, the Irish Museum of Modern Art is one of Europe’s most important centres for the collection and presentation of modern and contemporary art. There are several permanent and temporary exhibitions, showcasing the talents of Irish and international artists and the museum strives to deliver its dynamic events to a wide range of visitors.
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National Museum of Archaeology and History
Kildare Street,
Dublin 2,
Ireland
Tel: 01 6777444
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The National Museum of Ireland, Archaeology and History, can be found in the centre of Dublin. It houses more than 2,000,000 artefacts and exhibits of national and international importance, dating from between 7000BC and the late medieval period. There are superb exhibitions of prehistoric gold artefacts and Celtic works, and one of the world’s finest collections of medieval ecclesiastic jewellery, including some of Ireland’s most treasured jewels. There is also a fine collection of Egyptian exhibits, as well as a special display pertaining to the 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty.
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Guinness Storehouse
St James's Gate,
Dublin 8,
Ireland
Tel: 01 4084800
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The fair city of Dublin is famous for many things; one of its most famous exports must surely be Guinness stout. The Guinness brewery was established in Dublin in 1759, and has a long and fascinating history; the converted 19th Century storehouse gives an informative and entertaining insight into the history of The Black Stuff. The highlight of the tour is the Gravity Bar, where visitors can enjoy a pint whilst 200 feet from the ground in a glass-encased bar.
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The Dublin Experience
College Street,
Dublin 2,
Ireland
Tel: 01 6082308
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The Dublin Experience (in the Davis Theatre, Trinity College) is ideal for first time visitors to the city, and has plenty to offer those who have been before, too. A 45-minute audiovisual show presents the history of Dublin from its very beginnings as a tiny settlement to the present day, and gives an informative insight into the famous characters and events that have shaped the city as it is known and loved today.
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Dublin Castle
Palace Street,
Dublin 2,
Ireland
Tel: 01 6777129
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Built in the 13th Century, Dublin Castle symbolised English power in Ireland for over 700 years. It is still used for administrative purposes and conferences today, but visitors can explore the remarkably well-preserved tower, a wonderfully ornate 19th Century chapel and state apartments. On some days, the Undercroft is open to the public, allowing access to an excavation of a Viking fort; guided tours of the castle are available most days.
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General Post Office
O’Connell Street,
Dublin 1,
Ireland
Tel: 01/705-8833
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Dublin’s General Post Office is much more than a humdrum public service building; it is a symbol of Irish unity. Built between 1815 and 1818, the wonderfully grand and ornate GPO became a key stronghold for the Irish rebels during the Easter Uprising of 1916, and still bears the scars of battle. In today’s more peaceful times, visitors may wander around the great halls and admire the architecture and artworks.
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Dublin Writers Museum
Parnell Square,
Dublin 1,
Ireland
Tel: 01 8722077
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Dublin has produced many literary greats over the years, and this fascinating little museum is informative and enlightening in presenting the story behind some of Ireland’s great writers. There are rare artefacts and personal effects of famous writers on display, and visitors can really feel as if they are getting to know the people behind the literature. There is also an excellent restaurant within the museum.
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Kilmainham Gaol
Kilmainham,
Dublin 8,
Ireland
Tel: 01 4535984
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Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin has been preserved as a macabre but nevertheless fascinating reminder of the human aspects of Ireland's struggle for independence from British rule. Kilmainham Gaol was used for the incarceration, torture and execution of political activists between 1796 and 1924. The instigators of the famous Easter Uprising of 1916 were executed at Kilmainham, amongst others. The prison itself is remarkably well preserved, and allows visitors to contemplate the grim reality of life inside during those turbulent times. Guided tours are available.
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