Dublin Weekend Break
Churches, castles and monuments
Below you will find a list of the churches, cathedrals, castles, stately houses and other important monuments in Dublin. Each has a summary description and a small photo, and they have been catagorized in to religeous buildings, castles, stately houses and Libraries.
Religious buildings (i.e. churches, cathedrals and abbeys)
- Saint Patrick's Cathedral Located on Saint Patrick's Close, Saint Patrick's Cathedral was founded in 1191 and an interesting point of historical note is that Handel's Messiah had its first ever performance there in 1742. The choir of Saint Patrick's and Christ Church performed the work.
- Christ Church Cathedral Located on Christchurch Place, this is one of the city's oldest buildings with origins dating back to 1030 AD. It is worth a visit for anyone with an interest in history and old architecture.
- St Audoen's Church Located on Cornmarket High Street and with a history (although not the actual building) dating back over 1,300 years, this is the only remaining medieval church in the city.
- Carmelite Church Located on Whitefriar Street, this is a Carmelite church approaching two centuries in age and it claims to hold the remains of Saint Valentine amongst others.
- Saint Ann's Church Located on 18 Dawson Street and with an elaborate "Isaac Wills" interior, this eighteenth century church has a Neo Romanesque facade and an association with the Dracula story.
- Saint Mary's Abbey Located on Meetinghouse Lane, this building is a medieval Cistercian abbey although little of the original structure still remains.
- Saint Mary's Pro Cathedral Located on Marlborough Street, this church is often called the "Pro" and it now approaches its second centinary.
- Saint Michan's Church Located on Church Street, most of this church dates from the seventeenth century, but the original building was constructed almost 600 years earlier. There is an interesting although slightly squeemish guided tour of the vaults.
Castles and historical monuments
- Dublin Castle Located on Dame Street on the highest part of the city, Dublin castle is one of the city's main sightseeing draws. Various parts of the structure date back to various times in the city's history and this castle is a "must see for anyone on a weeknd break or short trip to Dublin.
- Dalkey Castle & Heritage Centre Located on Castle Steet, this castle is as much a museum as a castle and it features a medieval towerhouse equiped with a sinister "murder hole". The site also has models of Dalkey in medieval times, plus information on life during that period of history.
- Ardgillan Castle & Demesne Located at Balbriggan and outside of Dublin city (between Balbriggan and Skerries), this attraction is best known for its gardens and wildlife and is a good place to visit on a nice summer's day.
- Rathfarnham Castle Located in the town of Rathfarnham, this castle is from the sixteenth century and was built by and home to Archbishop of Dublin and Lord Chancellor of Ireland.
- Drimnagh Castle Located on Long Mile Road, Drimnagh castle has a moat, a tower, a great hall and various other medieval remains. It was occupied right up to the mid twentieth century and is an impressive sight.
- Malahide Castle Located in Malahide and set in 250 acres of park land, this castle acted as a fortress for almost 800 years. Its appeal included the decoration and furnishings of its interior.
- Dublinia and the Medieval Viking World Located on St. Michael's Hill, this is a popular place to visit for visitors and is ideal for families. There are museum elements plus more modern multi-media presentation and the subject matter is of course the vikings and medieval Dublin.
Stately homes, houses and miscelaneous buildings
- Dublin's City Hall Located on Cork Hill, holds exhibitions and displays of historical note - currently the Vikings.There are also historic city exhibits like the Dublin city seal.
- James Joyce House of the Dead Located at 15 Usher's Island, this house is linked to Dublin's most famous writer James Joyce who based his famous the story, "The Dead", here. It was also used in a film of the same.
- Kilmainham Gaol Located on Inchicore Road, this prison, now a museum, has an important role in the history of the Irish republican movement and you can take a facinating and spooky tour around it.
- Mansion House Located on Dawson Sreet, this building has been the official residence of the Lord Mayor of Dublin since 1715. The Irish parliament ratified its independance at this location in 1919.
- Newman House Located at 85-86 Saint Stephen's Green, these two houses are renown for their ornimental plaster detailled interiors from the Georgian period.
- The Casino (Marino) Located near Malahide Road, the Casino is a good example of 18th century neo-classical design. Sir William Chambers was the architect and the house contains 16 rooms on 3 levels.
- The Shaw Birthplace Located at 33 Synge Street, this is the house where playwright George Bernard Shaw was born and it has been carefully restored to rep[resent the period during which he lived there.
- Park Inn Dublin Chimney Viewing Tower Located in Smithfield Village, this unusual attraction takes the form of a 185 foot high old (Jameson Distillery) Chimney that now has a two level glass enclosed viewing platform on top of it. It provides a panoramic view of Dublin and beyond.
- Newbridge House and Traditional Farm Located in Donabate, this is a manor house from the mid eighteenth century and it includes over 350 acres of parks and gardens, with various rooms of the house open to the public. It is known for Georgian internal decorations.
- Aras an Uachtarain Located at Phoenix Park, this is the official home of the President of Ireland, but it only has public access on a Saturday. Tickets must be bought in the visitor centre.
- James Joyce Museum Located at Sandycove, this coastal tower with its own seperate history is now a museum to author James Joyce. It holds first editione etc.
- Leinster House Located on Kildare Street, is the Irish parliament building and it can be visited by memebers of the public when neither house is in session. The building dates from 1745.
- Lusk Heritage Centre Located in Lusk, this heritage centre has an exhibition of medieval churches and other artifacts spread across
a 9th centurytower and a medieval belfry. this site alos has a church.
Libraries
- Marsh's Library Located on Saint Patrick's Close and dating from 1701, this is Irelands oldest public librabry. It has a wealth of publications from the sixteenth century on wards covering all subject matters.
- National Library of Ireland Located on Kildare Street, this is Ireland's most prestigeous collection of books, prints, newspapers and everything else literary.
