Sightseeing

Sightseeing Overview

Dublin might not be one of Europe's most visually stunning cities, but what it lacks in aesthetics it more than makes up for with attractions. Most of Dublin’s sightseeing hotspots are located south of the River Liffey, in a district of gracious Georgian mansions and leafy avenues around Grafton Street and elegant St Stephen's Green.

When it comes to Dublin’s history, scholars always fail to agree on exactly when Dublin was first settled, but it was probably long before the Gaels came to these lands. By the ninth century, the Vikings had established themselves, though the Irish (drawn mainly from Celtic stock) managed to usurp them by the 11th-century. The English proved a much more resilient foe, first meddling in Irish affairs then (under Oliver Cromwell) taking control of the city in 1649.

Although Dublin grew rapidly and prospered economically through the British Empire, desires for independence never dimmed and in 1916 the Easter Rising paved the way for a separation from London.
 
Today Dublin is the capital of a confident member country of the European Union and is very much at the forefront of Irish affairs.

Tourist Information

Dublin Tourism Centre
Suffolk Street
Tel: (01) 605 7700.
Website: www.visitdublin.com
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 0900-1900, Sun 1030-1500 (Jul-Aug); Mon-Sat 0900-1730, Sun 1030-1500. Closed 25-26 Dec, 1 Jan.

There are additional tourist information offices located at Dublin Airport, open daily 0800 to 2200, Dún Laoghaire Harbour, open Monday to Saturday 0930 to 1315 and 1430 to 1700, and 14 Upper O'Connell Street, open Monday to Saturday 0900 to 1700. None of the above offices can be contacted directly by telephone.

Passes

The Dublin Pass provides free, fast-track entry to over 30 attractions, a comprehensive guidebook and many special shopping, service and restaurant offers in one complete package, including transport from Dublin airport. It is available as a one-, two-, three- or six-day pass and can be purchased online at www.dublinpass.ie or at any of the city's tourist information offices.