Heuston Station

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Dublin Heuston Station

Dublin Heuston, commonly called Heuston Station, is one of Ireland’s main railways stations serving the south, southwest and west. It is operated by the national railway operator, Iarnród Éireann (Irish rail). Dublin Heuston station opened on 4 August 1846 as the terminus and headquarters of the Great Southern and Western Railway. It was originally called Kingsbridge Station after the nearby Kings Bridge over the River Liffey, but as with most national landmarks in Ireland, was renamed in 1966 to commemorate a leader of the 1916 Easter Rising named Sean Heuston who had worked in the Station offices.

Trains to the south and west operate from here. It is the principal and busiest terminus for Intercity rail services with an annual passenger throughput in excess of four million. There a number of shops and eateries in Heuston Station and it is also directly connected to Connolly Station through the Luas line.

Contact Details:

Address: Heuston Station, St Johns Road West, Dublin 8

Tel: + 353 (0) 1 7032132

Getting There:

Hop off the CityScape Tour at: Stop 28 Military Road

Heuston railway station

Heuston Station is Dublin’s largest railway station and links Dublin with the south, southwest and west of Ireland. The station is named in honour of an executed leader of the 1916 Easter Rising. It is operated by Iarnród Éireann, the national railway operator. It also houses the head office of its parent company – Córas Iompair E.I.ireann (CIÉ) The station was also known as Kingsbridge Station.

Heuston Luas stop

The Heuston Luas stop is an interchange with Dublin’s Luas light rail tram system. The station opened in 2004 and features three platforms. Trams cross the River Liffey to the north of the stop on the Sea pronounced the Seán Bridge, which was refurbished as part of the Luas construction. The platform nearest St. John’s Road West is for southbound trams travelling towards Tallaght and Saggart. The eastern side of the island platform is a terminus platform, used only in certain peak times, when extra services are run in the city centre section.

How to Get to Dublin From Dublin Airport

How to get from Dublin International Airport to Dublin city centre? That’s a good question. Despite there being numerous trams (Luas) and light railways (DART) in Dublin, there are none from the Airport to the centre of Dublin. So, therefore, you’ll need to take a bus, a taxi or arrange a transfer. This article will help you find the best way to get from Dublin Airport to the city. 

Where Is Dublin Airport

Dublin International Airport lies approximately 6 miles (9 km) north of the centre of the city. To get there, you will need to use one of the four primary modes of transport from the city to the Airport and vice Versa. 

These four main modes of transport are: 

1. Public Coach (Airlink) 

2. Private Coach (Aircoach)

3. Taxi 

4. Private Transfer (Uber)

Taking The Airlink From Dublin Airport To City

From arrivals at Dublin Airport, make your way to the ground floor of Terminal 1. If you arrive at Terminal 2, there is a well-signposted walkway to get to T1. On the Ground Floor of Terminal 1, you will find an Airlink information desk. The Dublin Bus operated Airlink is probably the most direct route to the city centre.

The Airlink service has buses that leave every 15 to 20 minutes 24 hours a day (although this has been restricted during the pandemic). Airlink currently has two routes: 747 and 757. The journey from Dublin airport to Dublin City centre takes about 30 minutes. 

What Are The Airlink Routes

The two buses take slightly different routes, with The 747 Route Terminatein at Heuston Rail Station and The 757 Route Terminating at Charlotte Way (St. Stephen’s Green)

All Airlink buses have wifi and monitors to keep an eye on the bus’ progress. If unsure, please look up the closest stop to where you are heading. Have the bus driver warn you when to get off; they are pretty good at this.

You can find out more information here. 

How Long Does The Airlink Bus Journey Take From Dublin Airport To City

Although we can’t predict the Dublin traffic, the Airlink takes between 40 minutes to an hour on most days. 

Depending on the Airlink bus you take, it skims the city meaning your travel time diminishes.

How Much Does An Airlink Ticket Cost

You can buy Airlink tickets online and at the Airport. When purchasing tickets online, you save €1 on the cost of your ticket. 

You can buy a single ticket or a return ticket. Single tickets cost €6 while return tickets cost €11.

Tickets here

Aircoach

Taking The Aircoach From Dublin Airport To City

Aircoach is an express (fewer stops) private coach that connects Dublin Airport with the centre of the city, its cities suburbs and numerous other cities in Ireland. 

Aircoach is a 24-hour service that leaves every 30 minutes.

Where Can I Get The Aircoach

The Aircoach stops at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. There is a sign that directs you to the bus stops. Outside the exit of the terminals, there’s an Aircoach Booth where you can purchase tickets (Look for people in Aircoach jackets). Cash and cards are accepted. If you are unsure what bus to take, these people are happy to direct you to the nearest bus stop and advice you on what line to catch. 

How Long Does The Aircoach Take To Get To Dublin City Centre

The official time to get into Dublin on Aircoach is 25 minutes. This will again depend greatly on the Dublin traffic. The Aircoach goes through the port tunnel, uses bus lanes and the motorway, which greatly reduces the travel time.

How Much Does The Aircoach Cost

Aircoach is slightly more expensive than Dublins Bus’ Airlink service. However, they serve different routes. Online you can buy tickets depending on the way you are taking. A return to Dublin costs €13. Tickets online are slightly cheaper.

Busearann

Getting From Dublin Airport To Dublin City on BusEarann

Bus Éireann runs a number of routes that pass and pick up at Dublin Airport. Both Terminal 1 & 2. These routes are part of the national public transport system and therefore can take an indirect route to the city centre. However, this can work in your favour if you are looking for somewhere off the beaten track or have booked an Airbnb.

You can find routes and timetables here.

How Long Does The Bus Eireann Take To Get To Dublin City Centre

This will depend on which route you take; however, it can range from 30 mins to over two hours (it’s a nice tour of the Citys Suburbs). If you have some time to kill, then it may be worth looking at the routes and seeing what you can take in.

Taking A Taxi From Dublin Airport To City

Taking a taxi from Dublin Airport to City is simple. Outside both the Terminals, next to arrivals level, you can find Taxis waiting. The Taxi rank is signposted. The Taxi rank can get quite busy with a large number of taxis waiting to pick up customers, especially when multiple flights land at once.

How Much Does A Taxi Cost From Dublin Airport To City

Taxis are not the cheapest way to get from the Airport to Dublin City Centre. You can pay between €25 to €50 for a journey between Dublin Airport and Dublin City Centre. This depends significantly on the time of day and distance of the journey. Most of the taxis take up to four passengers, which could make the journey affordable (€30/4 = €7.5 while Aircoach costs €7 per person single)

We recommend using a taxi service if you have a particular place you need to be at, have a large number of luggage items or a particular 

Private Transfer From Dublin Airport To Dublin Centre

If you are not looking for the hassle of arranging busses and grabbing Taxi Cabs, you can book yourself a private transfer. Private transfers are one of the easiest ways to get into the city as everything is secured beforehand.

How To Get A Private Transfer

Many hotels offer private transfers from Dublin Airport to the hotel. However, if your hotel does not provide a private transfer, I would recommend booking a private transfer online. That way, the driver who is picking you up knows exactly where you are going, and there won’t be any hassle paying the driver.

You can ask drivers for quotes to pick the cheapest transfer from Dublin Airport to the city Here. 

Irish Museum of Modern Art

The Irish Museum of Modern Art or “IMMA”, is Ireland’s leading national institution for the collection and presentation of modern and contemporary art. Attracting over 400,000 visitors a year, the Museum is Ireland’s most important collection of modern and contemporary Irish art and is housed in the elegant Royal Hospital at Kilmainham, recognised as the finest 17th Century building in Ireland.

The Royal Hospital Kilmainham was designed by the talented William Robinson (who also designed Marsh’s Library), and was built between 1680 and 1687 as a home for retired soldiers. It continued in that use until 1928, the building was then left to languish for over 50 years. The building was eventually restored by the government in 1984 and made into the popular tourist attraction it is today in 1991.

The Museum presents a wonderfully wide-ranging combination of old and new exhibitions, which regularly include works from contemporary Irish artists as Louis Le Brocquy, Sean Scully, Barry Flanagan, Kathy Prendergrass and Dorothy Cross as well as paintings from artistic giants Pablo Picasso and Joan Miró.

Contact Details:

Address: Royal Hospital, Military Road, Kilmainham, Dublin 8

Tel: +353-1-6129900

Tours:

Tue-Sun: 2.30pm

Admission:

Tue & Thu-Sat: 10am-5.30pm

Wed: 10.30am-5.30pm

Sun: 12 p.m – 5.30pm

Getting There:

Hop off the CityScape Tour at: Stop 28 Military Road (see Route Map)

Irish Whiskey Tours In Dublin

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Whiskey tourism is one of the fastest-growing segments of the modern Irish tourist industry, and Dublin has no shortage of whiskey experiences for the curious and experienced alike. 

Since monks first began to practice distillation techniques, Irish whiskey has been around for centuries—learned by observing Middle-East perfumers distilling flower and fruit essences—on beer. Before long, demand for uisce beatha, or “water of life,” grew around Ireland and Europe. 

For a few centuries, Ireland had the market cornered until distillers in Scotland and England began applying advancing technology and blending to produce their product more quickly and cheaply. 

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For most of the twentieth century, Irish whiskey was in the doldrums, hurt by waning international interest and American prohibition. Still, things have been picking up in the last few decades. Enthusiasm, and shipping orders, are up worldwide, and the big international exporters like Jameson and Bushmills are cranking out more than ever before. 

Even more exciting, small brands once closed or sold to the big boys buy back their labels and reopen their small distilleries in towns and villages around the country. 

So in the next few years, Ireland may have as many as twenty working distilleries making the good stuff and opening their doors for whiskey enthusiasts. 

In Dublin, the three big choices for whiskey tourism are the Teeling Whiskey Distillery, Old Jameson Distillery, and the Irish Whiskey Museum. Each of these three has something different to offer. Jameson is the industry standard; the beginner-friendly tour of what used to be a massive distilling complex, now closed and moved out of town. 

Jameson Distillery Tours

Old Jameson Distillery Front Entrance

At Jameson, whiskey newbies get a look and an explanation of the whiskey process with replicas of the grain room, the mills (with the chance to touch one of their old working millstones for luck), and the rest of the equipment used to produce their large volume. Jameson’s end-tasting pits against two contrasting styles—usually Scotch and Bourbon—highlight an Irish whiskey’s smooth, light character. 

Teeling Distillery Tours

Teelings Whiskey Distillery Dublin Front entrance with Teelings Van outside

Teeling is a newly reopened distillery in Dublin’s Liberties neighbourhood—formerly home to many small brewers and distillers. Most of the alcohol production in the Liberties halted after a massive whiskey fire in 1875. High-test whiskey ageing in barrels can be highly flammable, and the nearby streets ran with rivers of fire as more and more barrels burst in their storehouses. Several neighbourhood residents died, not from fire, but from disease after scooping up and drinking the free whiskey running through the sewage-filled Victorian streets. 

Teeling offers visitors a look at a modern, high-tech whiskey facility—a perfect contrast to Jameson’s pastoral museum. The malting, mashing, fermenting, and distilling process is again explained in a beginner-friendly way, with visitors getting a chance to smell and taste the product at each stage of production. 

The only replica at Teeling is the barrel room, as whiskey is now aged in special warehouses outside of town for safety reasons that should be obvious. The standard Teeling tasting lets visitors sample three different Teeling products to discern their other characters. This much more subtle tasting comparison is still approachable for beginners but won’t be as face-punishingly apparent as that in Jameson. The different tasting options at various price points is also very appealing to those who might not be ready for 60 mL of whiskey neat. 

Pearse Lyons Whiskey Distillery Tour

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The Pearse Lyons Distillery at St. James’, near the famous St James Gate of Guinness Storehuse fame is housed in a church converted in September 2017.

It was said that this is new chapter for The Liberties, Dublin. The restoration of St. James’ Church into Pearse Lyons was brought about through inspirations such as and an entrepreneurial spirit, family history and a personal passion for brewing and distilling.

The tour here gives you a peak into the stories behind and the heritage of this iconic area in Dublin, as well as the ideation of their highly-rated range of whiskies.

Visitors get the full range of senses through taste, smell and touch every step of the whiskey distilling process, you can meet with the distillers and taste their signature Pearse Irish Whiskey.

Irish Whisky Museum Tours

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Tasting at The Irish Whiskey Museum

Another new attraction, the Irish Whiskey Museum, isn’t so much a look-at-exhibits-yourself museum as it is a guided, narrated tour through a sequence of audio/visual exhibits. More emphasis is put on the history of Irish whiskey in general: its monastic origins, its outlaw past, its surge, decline, and recent revival. The tour finishes, predictably, with a guided sampling of different Irish whiskies, depending on the tour package purchased. The Irish Whiskey Museum tour price is competitive with the other attractions in Dublin, and its handy location in College Green makes it popular for day-trippers. 

Other Irish Whisky Tours

Beyond Dublin, the largest and most popular whiskey destinations are Bushmills in Northern Ireland and the large, multi-label complex in Midleton, Co. Cork. These large distilleries stayed in business during the twentieth-century decline and are surging again thanks to renewed interest. Midleton now produces Jameson, Paddy, and several other big and small labels, and the Jameson experience there is more expansive than that in the Old Distillery in Dublin. If you are travelling around the country, consider a visit to one of these modern macro distilleries. 

Tullamore D.E.W, Tullamore

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Tullamore DEW Distillery Heritage Centre

Located in the very centre of Ireland is one of Ireland’s most famous whiskies, Tullamore D.E.W.

Tullamore DEW whiskey was first distilled in 1829 and named after its creator, Daniel E. Williams. Tullamore was one of the first distilleries in Ireland to produce a blended whiskey.

Tullamore D.E.W has a number of tour options for visitors, 

The main tour is the ‘curious taster’s journey, guided by one of Tullamores own whiskey experts, allowing you to sample a selection of three or four of their whiskies.

Other tours are available to suit your whiskey experience, including the ‘whiskey wise masterclass,’ which allows you to taste six Tullamore D.E.W whiskey blends

Bushmills Distillery, Bushmills

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Bushmills Distillery Visitor Centre Entrance

Located on the Causeway Coast of Ireland (actuallly in Northern Ireland) is Ireland’s oldest working distillery – The Old Bushmills Distillery.

The Bushmills Distillery Tour gives visitors an authentic distillery experience, guaranteed to excite the senses and become entranced by the smells and sights around along the tour.

There is a specialist whiskey shop and a wonderful gift shop at the end of te tour where you can sample some of the Whiskeys they produce.

Jameson Experience, Midleton – Jameson’s other distillery

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The Jameson Whisky Experience, is located in the Old Midleton Distillery in Midleton, County Cork.

This distillery began life as a woollen mill before being taken over by the army as barracks andbefore becoming a distillery in 1825.

The current distillery was constructed in 1975 to consolidated operations of three former Irish whiskey-making powerhouses, Jameson, Powers, and Cork Distilleries Company (owners of the Midleton Distillery). The companies had come together in 1966 to form Irish Distillers.

Since the visitor’s centre opened in 1992, there have been approximately 100,000 guests per year, with over 125,000 in recent years.

Kilbeggan Distillery, Kilbeggan 

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The Kilbeggan Distillery is located in the heart of Ireland, in the little Westmeath town of Kilbeggan.

Kilbeggan distillery dates back to 1757, which is older than the current Bushmills Distillery!

The Kilbeggan Distillery offers excellent regular tours for individuals or groups. 

Iveagh Gardens

Iveagh Gardens is one of the least known areas in Dublin. It is 300 years old, and locals have strived to maintain the integrity and attributes of this historical site. On your next visit to Dublin in, be sure to visit this attraction.

Location

Iveagh Gardens is located in Dublin city centre between Upper Hatch Street and Clonmel Street in Dublin, Ireland. It is directly behind the National Concert Hall and Harcourt Street, located just a stone’s throw away from Dublins famous St. Stephen’s Green.

General Features

Iveagh Gardens has many special features such as artificial caves, exquisite fountains, and woodlands. It also includes a rosarium and archery fields and has come to host many prestigious events over the centuries. Use this quiet escape to read a book, walk your dog, or take in the tranquil ambience of a place rich in Dublin’s heritage.

The gardens are enjoyed by locals and tourists alike, from the cold winter months of January and February to the summer months. There are many activities to do, such as archery, site seeing, and meandering through the tranquil woodlands. Here are some of the best things to see in Iveagh Gardens.

History

Iveagh Gardens is rich in Irish history. It began as an earl’s garden and was later converted into a public park. Most of the original features are still in place as much of the original design has been restored. In 1865, a lot of the gardens we know and love were redesigned by Ninian Niven. It went on to host the Dublin Exhibition Palace in all its splendour. The Park was later donated and became one of Dublin’s historic parks.

First Known as Clonmell Lawn

In the 18th century, the land that is now Iveagh Gardens was leased to John Hatch, the developer of Hatch and Harcourt streets, who then sold it to Copper-Faced-Jack, the first Earl of Clonmell to serve as his private gardens. This earned it the title “Clonmell Lawns.”

Coburg Gardens

After the passing of the first Earl, the gardens became known as Coburg Gardens and were later opened to the public.

Once donated to Ireland as a national park, the area attained the title “Iveagh Gardens.”

What to Look Out for When Visiting Iveagh Gardens

Iveagh Gardens is no ordinary park. It has several attractions, both natural and mand made.

Floral Attractions

Iveagh Gardens boasts some of the most beautiful roses in their quiet rosarium. In October, several species of flowers are in bloom. Examples of these include carnations, roses, lilies, sunflowers, and dahlias. Some of the rose species found in this garden date back to the 1800s, following conservation and restoration attempts.

Maze

Labyrinths or mazes, such as the one found in this garden, are intended to force the body and mind into a state of peace. Solving a problem such as one presented by a labyrinth uses cognitive skills like memory, reasoning, and spatial learning. This beneficial structure has been incorporated into the design of Iveagh Gardens. It is home to a beautiful yew maze that adds an extra touch of elegance to the area while helping to relax the body and mind. This maze was made as a miniature replica of Hampton Court Maze in London.

Water Features

The sound of falling or flowing water has been proven to help reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression. People who work in the city are more prone to mental health issues than those who do not. Spending time in nature can help reduce the harmful effects of stress and anxiety. What better to do this than to spend time at Iveagh Gardens?

Waterfall or Cascades

Unlike many other garden attractions, Iveagh Gardens is home to a waterfall that creates soothing sounds to bring joy to the heart and stillness to the soul. The waterfall includes a collection of rocks that were carefully collected from each of Ireland’s 32 counties. Today, the cascade makes use of recycled water, but once made use of water from the Grand Canal.

Other Water Structures Both Past and Present

The Gardens used to be home to a pond and a boating tower. The tower now forms part of the boundary wall of Iveagh House. The Gardens have several exquisite fountain centrepieces that can be found throughout the lawns and woodlands.

Lawns and Woodlands

No garden would be complete without exceptional, well-maintained greenery, and Iveagh Gardens is no different. It has a host of stunning lawns which form distinctive geometric shapes that visitors have come to appreciate. Unlike St. Stephen’s Green, it is much quieter and has been a place where people can go to escape the hustle and bustle of life for decades.

Archery is an underappreciated sport in the modern world today. It provides many health benefits, such as stress relief, hand-eye coordination, encouraging mental focus, and improved heart health. At Iveagh Gardens, you can reap the benefits of this age-old sport. A sizeable sunken lawn near the Earlsfort Terrace entrance is home to an archery field, which is the only field in Ireland built for this purpose.

Events

The Gardens have hosted a wide range of events over the years. It continues to be a venue of choice for events both large and small. Watch many concerts, shows, and other such events during the day or at night. Check the website for an event schedule or to book an event yourself.

Iveagh House

Iveagh House forms part of the eastern border of the gardens. It is home to the Department of Foreign Affairs, established in 1939.

Operational Times

Operational times vary according to season. Be sure to check their site before embarking on a visit.

Final Thoughts

Iveagh Gardens is a beautiful national park in the city centre of Dublin. Hidden behind tall buildings, it is almost a secret getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life and offers an oasis of tranquillity. It is the perfect place to enjoy nature, practice a little archery, and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature while escaping the stresses of life. The many features of this hidden gem make it a worthwhile place to visit.

Kilmainham Gaol

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Kilmainham Gaol

Kilmainham Gaol is one of the largest unoccupied jails in Europe. Now turned into a museum, the gaol has been witness to some of the most heroic and tragic events in Ireland’s emergence as a modern nation from the 1780s to the 1920s with many of the leaders of Irish rebellions imprisoned within its walls.

Dublin’s Kilmainham Gaol has a place in the heart of modern Irish history and has held some of the most famous political and military leaders in Irish history such as Robert Emmet, Charles Stewart Parnell, the 1916 Rising leaders and Eamon de Valera. From when it opened in 1796 to when it closed in 1924, the leaders of 5 Irish rebellions between 1798 and 1916 were detained and in some cases executed in the gaol.

Attractions include a major exhibition detailing the political and penal history of the prison and its restoration. The tour of the prison includes an audio-visual show which gives the visitor a dramatic and realistic insight into what is was like to have been confined in one of these forbidding bastions of punishment and correction. For anyone visiting Dublin, this is one of the must see attractions if you are either interested in learning about the infamous gaol which has played a prominent role in Irish history or if you would like to experience what it was like to be put in an almost 300 year old prison without the generally less pleasant experience of having to actually be incarcerated.

Fun Fact

Kilmainham Gaol has a history of being haunted with a number of reported ghost sightings over the last century.

Contact Details:

Address: Inchicore Road, Kilmainham, Dublin 8.

Tel: +353 1 453 5984

Getting There:

Hop off the CityScape Tour at: Stop 28 Military Road (see Route Map)

Admission:

Adult – €6.00

Senior/ Group – €4.00

Child/ Student – €2.00

Family – €14.00

Mansion House

Mansion House

The Mansion House is the official residence of Dublin’s first citizen, the Lord Mayor, and is one of the city’s finest and most historic buildings. The residence was designed by Joshua Dawson, whom the street is named after, and construction began in 1705. Originally intended to be a townhouse for Dawson, he seldom stayed in the house and it was sold to the Dublin Corporation for £3,500 which doesn’t seem like much now but back then was a huge amount of money. The Mansion House is the site for some of the most important events in Irish History as it was the site of the proclamation of the 1919 Declaration of Independence and it was the meeting place of the first Dail Eireann (Parliament of Ireland).

Tours of the Mansion House are on a first come first serve basis where you will be led by guides as they walk you through and explain the history of some of the historic public rooms in a building that still plays an important part in the civic life of Dublin and has been host to dignitaries including Nelson Mandela and Queen Victoria.

Fun Fact 

The Corporation also had to pay annual rent of 40 shillings as well as provide an odd yet delicious payment of a loaf of double refined sugar weighing six pounds every Christmas.

Contact Details:

Address: Dawson Street, Dublin 2

Tel: (01) 222 6200

Getting There:

Hop off the CityScape Tour at: Stop 22 Dawson Street (see Route Map)

Merrion Square: Its Features and History

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Merrion Square: Its Features and History

Merrion Square is a wondrous Georgian garden square located in the heart of Dublin. It’s one of the most beloved parks in the city. The square houses beautiful sculptures and various attractions. If you’re looking for a serene place to rest after wandering through Dublin city, this central square might be an ideal stop.

Location

Merrion Square is on the south side of Dublin’s city centre. It’s a five-minute walk from St. Stephen’s Green or a short bus ride.

The west side houses the Natural Gallery of Island, Government Buildings, and the Leinster House. Georgian houses surround the square on the remaining sides.

Features of Merrion Square Park

Merrion Square is mainly a green space near the centre of Dublin. People can come during the day to enjoy the lovely flower beds and open lawns. It’s a popular place that students from Trinity College and other residents frequent to take short walks.

Merrion Square Park

There aren’t many facilities in Merrion Square Park, but it does have an excellent small playground for children. The Dublin City Council refurbished it during their conservation plan back in 2014.

This playground has a theme based on the short story of Oscar Wilde called “The Selfish Giant. ” The giant multiplay unit in the park is what symbolises the Giant. It’s suitable for younger and older kids alike as there are adequate installations for both.

The most well-known attraction in the Merrion Square public park is the colourful Oscar Wilde Memorial Sculpture. This statue sits in the northwestern corner close to the children’s playground reclining on a rock.

Another notable landmark within Merrion Square Park is the Rutland Memorial. It’s a stone monument that was once a fountain designed to provide water to the poor. Now, it’s a dedication to the Fourth Duke of Rutland, Charles Manners.

National Gallery

It’s one of the top cultural attractions of Ireland. An Act of Parliament founded it in 1854, and the institution opened its doors in 1864. This place houses a collection of European and Irish fine art from the 1400s to the 1950s. It’s a must-see for anyone visiting Merrion Square with even a speck of interest in either history or art.

National History Museum

This building is part of the National Museum of Ireland. It houses a comprehensive zoological collection comprised of animals native to the country. If you come to Merrion Square Park, seeing its famous exhibitions might interest you. These include the giraffe Spoticus and a 20-metre whale skeleton.

Other Notable Places Near Merrion Square Park

There are several localities in Merrion Square Park that are worth a visit. For instance, there are numerous cultural organisations here. Among them are the Irish Traditional Music Archive, The Arts Council, and the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland. Some of these buildings occasionally host public events and lectures.

Once the home of the Duke of Leinster, Leinster House now serves as the house of parliament of Ireland. People can take guided tours, but they need to have an official ID at all times to enter. It’s on the west side of Merrion Square Park.

Trinity College offers stunning scenery the moment it comes into view. People can either walk freely through its grounds or take a tour to go and see the famous Book of Kells. It’s to the northwest of Merrion Square Park, a short distance away.

Places to Eat Near Merrion Square

  • Patrick Guilbaud. He’s a celebrated chef of Ireland. His restaurant is incredibly well regarded, not just in Merrion Square but in the entirety of Dublin. The locale serves authentic cooking rooted in traditional French cuisine and introduces modern techniques into the mixture. The restaurant is in the Merrion Hotel, in Upper Merrion Street.
  • Pearl Brasserie. It’s right next to the five-star Merrion Hotel, right in the Dublin city centre. The restaurant serves modern dishes with a classical base and Asian and Mediterranean influences.
  • Brookwood. It’s seafood, steak, and cocktail restaurant close to Shelbourne Hotel. The setting is unique. It has three dining floors that each offer a different experience. You can watch cooks work on the ground floor, talented bartenders on the first floor, and enjoy their club room on the top floor. It’s diagonal to the Pearl Brasserie, on 141 Baggot Street Lower.

History of Merrion Square Park

This grand Georgian square housed many famous citizens of Ireland in the past, including Oscar Wilde and Daniel O’Connell. People wondering how that came to be might want to read this next historical bit.

Early Development

During the 1800s and early 1900s, the Dublin architecture construction began in the city’s north. Luke Gardiner, an Irish politician and property developer, led this project with his family. The resulting townhouses became favoured residential areas for the elite during this time. Even the Church of Ireland Archbishop, Dermot Ryan, had a residence in it.

Southside Demand

Once the Duke of Leinster finished his Dublin residence in 1748 across the river Liffey on the south, there was an increased demand for homes in the surrounding undeveloped area. Due to this, the estate of Fitzwilliam laid plans for new Georgian developments. These included Merrion Square and St. Stephen’s Green.

Merrion Square took approximately 30 years to complete. Back then, its name was “Archbishop Ryan Park.” It had its ornamental garden, and its western side faced the lawns of the future ducal palace and Irish parliament.

Notable Residents

The Georgian houses of Merrion Square brought many known residents over the following century. Among these famous personalities were:

  • Oscar Wilde lived at No.1 Merrion Square. He was a poet and a novelist.
  • W.B. Yeats lived at No. 82. He was a poet.
  • Daniel O’Connell had his house at No.58. He was a beloved political leader.
  • Sybil Connolly resided at No. 71. She was a fashion and interior designer.

From the 1930s to Today

During the 1930s, the Irish Free State government made plans to demolish Merrion Square as they saw it as a sign of British rule. However, they put the plans aside during the war and never pursued them again after.

In the 1960s, the Roman Catholic Church owned the park and hoped to build a cathedral. It was during this period that the park was private. The only people who could access it were those with a key.

After some time, in 1974, the Archbishop of Dublin, Dermot Ryan, leased it as a public park. Now, most of the surrounding buildings in Merrion Square house office spaces.

The Ideal Place for a Stroll

Merrion Square Park is one of the most impressive Georgian squares in Dublin. It’s the perfect place for people to rest and enjoy some tranquillity. People often like to come after spending some time wandering around Dublin.

Its well-kept gardens and its children’s play park make it attractive enough for both kids and adults. However, the surrounding buildings and other nearby places also make it incredibly alluring.

National Gallery of Ireland

The-National-Gallery-Of-Ireland-Credit-Dahon_Flickr

National Gallery of Ireland

The National Gallery of Ireland is a must see for any visiting Dublin art lovers. Situated in Merrion Square near the National Museum at Kildare Street, the gallery is an underrated attraction that is not to be missed. The Gallery boasts a collection of more than 2, 500 paintings as well as over 10, 000 other artistic works including watercolours, drawings, prints and sculptures.

Founded in 1854 by an Act of Parliament, and opened to the public in 1864, the Gallery houses the nation’s collection of Irish and European fine art, spanning the period circa 1400s to 1950s.The National Gallery is unique thanks to its collection of exhibitions which documents the story of Irish art from the seventeenth century to the present day with key works by Nathaniel Hone, John Lavery, William Leech, Roderic O’Conor, Paul Henry, Sean Keating, Jack B. Yeats and Louis le Brocquy. The Gallery is also home to a number of Europe’s most renowned masterpieces including works by Fra Angelico, Rembrandt, Poussin, Goya, Picasso, Bonnard, Van Gogh and a recently discovered Caravaggio.

Free tours of the permanent collection take place every Saturday at 12.30pm, and every Sunday at 12.30pm and 1.30pm. Guided tours of the collection may be booked for private groups, schools and university groups, special interest groups and individuals. A minimum of 2 weeks’ notice and a small fee is required.

Fun Fact

Caravaggio’s ‘The Taking of Christ’, a painting recorded in contemporary biographies on the artist but long believed to be lost or destroyed, was discovered in a Jesuit house of studies in Dublin.  The picture remains in the gallery on indefinite loan from the Jesuit fathers.

Contact Details:

Address: Merrion Square West & Clare Street, Dublin 2

Tel: +353(0)16325133

Getting There:

Hop off the CityScape Tour at: Stop 19 Merrion Square West(see Route Map)

National History Museum – The National Museum of Ireland

National-History-Museum-Dublin-main-Foyer-Credit-Alf-Igel_Flickr

National History Museum – The National Museum of Ireland

One of the three branches of the National Museum of Ireland, the Natural History Museum is located between Government Buildings and the House of the Oireachtas on Merrion Street. First opened in 1857, the Museum is virtually unchanged since its opening, bar some restoration work in 1909 and 2007 after the grand stone staircase was deemed unsafe.

The Victorian style Museum is home to a fascinating collection of over 2 million species which are situated side by side in a building full of old Victorian charm and scientific wonderment.

The ground floor is dedicated to Irish wildlife featuring the mammals, sea creatures, birds and some butterflies that could have been found in Ireland at some point, with the centrepiece being the skeleton of the now extinct giant Irish elk.

The upper floors of the building feature the World Animals Collection and are dedicated to animals found throughout the world. There you will find an exhibition that jumps from continent to continent and includes outstanding examples of animals found throughout the history and far reaches of the world.

The Museum has no admission charge and visitors are welcome to explore the collections by themselves at their own pace. The Museum of Natural History is one of the top things to do in Dublin for any history buffs or anyone looking to see Dublin on a budget.

Fun Fact

Some of the large exhibits face away from the entrance. This is due to a new entrance being constructed at the east end of the building facing Merrion Street in 1909. This reversed the direction from which visitors approached the exhibitions and explains why some of the large exhibits still face away from the entrance; it was too difficult to turn the whales and elephants around to face the new entrance.

Contact Details:

National History Museum, Merrion St Upper, Dublin 2

Tel: +353 (0) 1 677 7444

Getting There:

Hop off the CityScape Tour at: Stop 20 Merrion Street (see Route Map)