Page 152 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Ireland

150 BACK ROADS IRELAND

1 Dublin
Dublin
Dublin is a compact city and easy to explore on foot, ideal for
wandering around the cobbled streets of Temple Bar or admiring
the grandeur of elegant Georgian squares and parks. From its fine
museums, majestic cathedrals and beautiful university buildings,
redolent of Dublin’s history, to modern art galleries and shopping
arcades, there is plenty to see and do along this walk.

A three-hour walking tour secluded park with grottoes, cascades
Start at the Dublin Tourism office 1 and mazes. Retrace the walk and
in Suffolk Street. Turn right and carry continue along the west side of the
on along Nassau Street. Take the green into Grafton Street 0, the city’s
fourth right into Kildare Street, main, pedestrianized shopping street.
passing Leinster House, seat of the Walk down it and take the little lane
Above Frontage of The Quay’s Bar, a pub in Irish Government and the National beside Bewley’s café on the left to
the lively Temple Bar district Library of Ireland 2 (open Mon–Sat). Powerscourt Townhouse Centre q,
The National Museum of Ireland – which has Irish fashion designer and
Archaeology 3 (open Tue–Sun), further antique shops. Behind this, the
along the street, has more than two George’s Street Arcade w has eclectic
million archaeological artifacts from all stalls in an impressive market building.
Ireland. At the top of the street, turn Back on Grafton Street, at the far
left along Merrion Row and left again end, is the Molly Malone statue e,
into Merrion Street Upper, to reach the which commemorates the legendary
VISITING DUBLIN
National Museum – Natural History Dublin fishmonger. Further along on
4 (open Tue–Sun) and the National the right is the arched entrance to
Parking
For parking near the Dublin Tourism Gallery 5 (open daily), with a fine Trinity College Dublin r (open daily),
office there is a car park at St Stephen’s collection of Irish and European old Ireland’s oldest university, founded
Green Shopping Centre (accessed masters, opposite Georgian Merrion in 1592. Here the Book of Kells is on
from Mercer Street Lower), Drury Square’s 6 charming gardens. Cross display in the Old Library. Walk down
Street car park, Brown Thomas car park
(accessed from Clarendon Street) or the square for a fine view down Mount Dame Street, opposite, passing Bank
Trinity Street car park, or at pay-and- Street Upper to the distinctive looking of Ireland College Green, the former
display spaces on the street. St Stephen’s Church 7, affectionately houses of parliament, on the right.
Tourist Information known as the Pepper Pot Church. Ahead on the left is Dublin Castle t
Visit Dublin Centre, Suffolk Street, Return to Merrion Row and walk (open daily), where it is possible to tour
Dublin 2; 1 850 230 330; www. as far as the large Victorian park, the State Apartments and also visit
visitdublin.com; open daily St Stephen’s Green 8, on the left. the Chester Beatty Library y (open
Walk diagonally across the green to Mar–Oct: daily; Nov–Feb: closed Mon),
Harcourt Street, and up it to Clonmel a gem-like collection of Asian and
WHERE TO STAY IN DUBLIN Street, on the left, at the end of which European manuscripts. Carry on and
is Iveagh Gardens 9 (open daily), a turn right into Werburgh Street, then
Mont Clare Hotel moderate
This is a traditional Dublin hotel with
a great location near the museums, Below Georgian townhouses overlooking the charming gardens of Merrion Square
Trinity College and Grafton Street.
Merrion Square, Dublin 2; 01 607 3800;
www.ocallaghanhotels.com
Merrion Hotel expensive
Experience Georgian grandeur in this
beautifully restored luxury hotel on
Merrion Street in the heart of Georgian
Dublin. It’s also the venue for Ireland’s
only two-Michelin-starred restaurant.
Upper Merrion Street, Dublin 2; 01 603
0600; www.merrionhotel.com
Shelbourne Hotel expensive
This elegant hotel overlooking
St Stephen’s Green is one of the city’s
most famous and distinguished hotels.
Rooms offer unbridled luxury and the
attention to detail is first class.
27 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2; 01 663
4500; www.marriott.co.uk
Where to Stay: inexpensive, under €100; moderate, €100–€200; expensive, over €200

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