Tour of Dublin

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The Dublin Spire was the winning entry in an Architectural Competition to provide a replacement for Nelson's Pillar, that was blown up in 1966.

The Spike, as it is now normally referred to, was erected between December 2002 and January 2003. This is now a favourite meeting place, as it is so easy to find, is on the main shopping street, and only a few hundred yards from the River Liffey and Temple Bar. Most of Dublin's busiest Bars are alongside the River and in the Temple Bar area.

The Tour Bus booking offices are next to the Spire.

The College is open to visitors, details of various visits can be found on the Website.

The College was founded in 1591. Famous Authors that Graduated at Trinity were Jonathan Swift, Oliver Goldsmith, and Oscar Wilde. Its library holds the 8th-century Book of Kells, the famous decorated Gospel Book made by Celtic Monks.

The first fortified building on this site was a Danish Viking Fortress built around 930. The Norman invasion of 1169 led to the Normans strengthening and expanding the Town Walls and Castle. The Castle was further expanded by King Jouhn of England in 1204.

A fire 7th April 1684, burned down much of the Castle, including the old Parliament House. The rebuilding by King James at that time, is what can be seen today.

The present day looks of the Cathedral are from extensive restorations carried out by the architect George Edmund Street in the 1870s. The Dublin whiskey distiller Henry Roe funded the restoration.

The original Viking church on this site was built around 1030. In 1152, that building was incorporated into the Irish Church.

In 1562, the nave roof vaulting collapsed. Rebuilding work began at that time.

St Patrick's Cathedral was completed in 1254. The Lady Chapel was added by Archbishop Fulk de Saundford in 1270.

The original Tower and part of the West Nave were destroyed by fire in 1362. These were replaced by Archbishop Minot by 1370.

Admission fee includes a complimentary pint of Guinness in the Gravity Bar (a bar situated high above the old storehouse with panoramic views of Dublin).

Arthur Guinness founded this business here in 1759.

Now Ireland's number 1 visitor attraction, it is open 7 days a week from 09.30 am to 17.00 pm (remains open until 20.00 during July and August).

The Old Jameson Distillery is situated on the site of the original Jameson Distillery founded in 1780.

The visitor centre opened in November 1997, allowing visitors to the taste the whiskey, and learn about the history of John Jameson's Irish Whiskey. Tours are hosted by professional guides.

The Irish Presidents Residense is also in the park with tours available every Saturday between 09.40 and 16.20.

Phoenix Park is nearly 2,000 acres (800 hectares) in size, with a Zoo and Racetrack.

This Park is regarded as the second largest enclosed Park in the world, only Yellowstone in the U.S.A is larger. The Memorial in Phoenix Park was built to commemorate the victories of the Duke of Wellington, who was born in Dublin. This is the tallest Obelisk in Europe, although originally intended to be higher than it is, a shortage of funds led to it being completed in 1861 at 205 feet.

Malahide Castle sitis in 250 acres of park land by the seaside Town of Malahide. The Castle was the fortress and private home of the Talbot family from 1185 to 1973, until the last Lord Talbot died.

Tours . Website . Map/Reviews

The Tour goes around Dublin Bay, past Dun Laoghaire's promenade and yacht-filled harbour, and to James Joyce's Tower at Sandycove.

The Tour then heads inland over the Wicklow Mountains, through the old-world village of Enniskerry, then to Powerscourt House & Gardens, as seen above.

You travel by Train to Cork, about 160 miles southwest, then transfer to a Coach for a tour of Cork, Blarney Castle, and Cobh (formerly Queenstown) where many of the Irish Emigrant Ships departed from.

cork-guide.ie/corkcity

Millions of tourists now visit Blarney, leading to it becomming one of Ireland’s top attractions.

The famous Blarney Stone is at the top of our Tower. They say once you kiss it, you will never be lost for words again. You have to lean out backwards to kiss the stone, held by a guide. Mind any change in your pockets, it normally ends up on the ground far below.

From here, millions of mostly poor Irish men and women left to start a new life in America. The Famine years of 1844-48 escalated the migration.

Many thrived and prospered in the new country, but many died on the crossing due to the traveling conditions of the time.

The Queenstown Story is housed in parts of the Railway Station at Cobh. This visitor attraction tells the story of emigration from Cobh in the period of the Famine to the era of the Great Liners in the 1950s.

Explore Ireland's west coast highlights on a Coach and Rail day trip to the wild Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, and picturesque Galway Bay.

You meet the guide at Dublin Heuston Station, then catch a Train to Limerick with breakfast service available onboard. You then have a short tour of the Limerick City. The tour then heads north to Bunratty Castle and Folk Village. After lunch, at the Doolin Pub, the tour continues to the Cliffs of Moher on the Atlantic coast.

Museums in Dublin include the:

National Gallery of Ireland

National History Museum

Hugh Lane Municipal Gallery of Modern Art and Wax Museum

More Dublin Attractions

Tours to Northern Ireland including the Giants Causeway

Optional Tours

More history of Dublin: wiki/Dublin