CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL
Address: Christchurch Pl, Tel: 677 8099 Website: www.cccdub.ie Open: Daily 09:45-17:00 except Treasury: Mon-Fri 09:45-17:00, Sat 09:45-16:45, Sun 12:30-15:15 Price: €5, €2.50 concession.

Perched on a hill overlooking Wood Quay, Christ Church Cathedral was the main church of Anglo-Norman Empire in Ireland. It was built in the late 12th century on the site of a wooden Viking church. It has been restored numerous times over the centuries and now reflects several different architectural styles including Romanesque and 19th century English Gothic. The interior houses the Chapel of St Laud, the Lady Chapel, the Treasury and the Baroque tomb of the 19th Earl of Kildare. The popular Dublinia, a Viking museum, is also located within the grounds.

GUINNESS STOREHOUSE
Address: The Liberties, St James Gate Tel: 408 4800, 453 8364(booking) Website: www.guinness-storehouse.com Open: 09:30-17:00(Sep-Jun) 09:30-21:00(July-Aug) Price: €13.50(full) €9(concession) €5(child)

The Guinness Storehouse is a museum dedicated to the best-loved beer in Ireland and is now the most popular visitor attraction in Dublin. Spread over several floors, the museum traces the history of the ‘black stuff’ from its creation in 1759 to the St James’ Gate brewery today producing an astounding 450 million litres of Guinness a year. The tour ends in the Gravity bar offering stunning panoramic views over the city, where visitors are treated to a complimentary pint of Guinness.

DUBLIN CASTLE
Address: Dame St, Cork Hill Tel: 677 7129 Website: www.dublincastle.ie Open: Mon-Fri 10:00-17:00, Sat-Sun 14:00-17:00 Admission: €4(full), €3(concession)

Dublin Castle was built on original Viking foundation in 1204 on the orders of Anglo-Norman King John, and was used as the official residence of the British Viceroys in Ireland until the early 20th century. The castle has undergone much restoration following fire damage in 1684. Consequently, only the Record Tower remains from the original medieval fortress. Today, the building is used by the Irish Government but is open to public by organised tours. The highlights of the castle tour include the underground excavations of the old city walls and moat, the stunning state drawing rooms and the landscaped gardens surrounding the castle. The castle also houses the Chester Beatty Library with astounding collections of rare books and manuscripts, miniature paintings and artefact, including works from Islamic and East Asian worlds.

TRINITY COLLEGE
Address: College Street, Dublin 2 Tel: 677 2941, 608 2320 Admission for Book of Kells: €7.50(full) €6.50(concession) Open: 07:00-24:00 except Old Library/Book of Kells: Mon-Sat 09:30-17:00, Sun 09:30-16:30; Oct-May Sun 12:00-16:50

Founded in 1592, Trinity College Dublin was the first university to be established in Ireland. Originally the university only admitted male Protestant students - it was not until 1793 that it was opened to Catholics and in 1904 to women. Over the centuries the university has had many famous alumni including Edmund Burke, Jonathan Swift, Samuel Beckett and Oscar Wilde. Visitors to the college come to view its magnificent architecture, statues of its famous scholars, and above all its biggest attraction, the Book of Kells – the ancient Celtic manuscript.

ST PATRICK’S CATHEDRAL
Address: St Patrick's Close, Dublin 8 Tel: 475 4817 Website: www.stpatrickscathedral.ie Open: Mar-Oct 09:00-18:00, Nov-Feb Mon-Fri 09:00-18:00, Sat 09:00-17:00, Sun 09:00-15:00 Admission: €4.20(full) €3.20(concession)

Built in 1191 on the site of a well, believed to be where St Patrick performed his first baptism, St Patrick's Cathedral is the largest church in Ireland. In the 18th century it underwent extensive renovation funded by the Guinness family to prevent it from collapsing. Today, the cathedral houses many religious and historic artefacts and the largest organ in Ireland. Writer Jonathan Swift, who was dean here from 1713 to 1745, is buried within the grounds along with his long-term companion Esther Johnson. Inside the cathedral you will find a statue of the writer as well as a memorial, which includes his death mask, and a selection of his writings.

NATIONAL GALLERY OF IRELAND
Address: Merrion Sq West & Clare St, Dublin 2 Tel: 661 5133 Website: www.nationalgallery.ie Open: Mon-Wed & Fri-Sat 09:30-17:30, Thu 09:30-20:30, Sun 12:00-17:30 Admission: free

The gallery houses an extensive collection of Irish, English and European works of art, including those by artists such as Jack B. Yeats, Lavery and O’Conor. Since its opening in 1864 it has acquired over 12,500 paintings, watercolours and sculptures. The highlight of the gallery is Caravaggio's The Taking of Christ.

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ARCHAEOLOGY & HISTORY
Address: Kildare St, Dublin 2 Tel: 677 7444 Website: www.museum.ie Open: Tue-Sat 10:00-17:00, Sun 14:00-17:00 Admission: free

The museum houses an impressive collection of over 2 million historical and archaeological artefacts dating from 7000BC to the late Middle Ages. It has an extensive collection of Bronze Age gold, Iron Age Celtic artefacts as well as Viking and ancient Egyptian relics. The museum’s top attractions are the impressive Celt masterpieces - the Ardagh Chalice, the Tara Brooch and Derrynaflan Hoard.

HA’PENNY BRIDGE & TEMPLE BAR
Address: Temple Bar, Dublin 2 Website: www.templebar.ie

Built in the 18th century over River Liffey, the Ha’penny pedestrian bridge has become one of the best-known landmarks of Dublin. It got its name from the locals who had to pay a toll of half penny to cross the bridge when it was first opened. The bridge links Liffey Street to Temple Bar, Dublin’s lively cultural and nightlife district. Visitors flock to Temple Bar’s narrow cobbled streets to sample the lively atmosphere of its trendy nightclubs, art centres, cafés, shops and restaurants.

PHOENIX PARK
Address: Parkgate Street, Dublin 7 Tel: 6770095

Phoenix Park, located around 3km west of Dublin city centre, is the largest enclosed park in Europe. This giant playground measuring 11km in circumference is a home to freely roaming deer and grazing livestock. There are also several football pitches, rugby and polo fields. Visitors can also enjoy its ornamental gardens, nature trails and tree-lined avenues. Áras an Uachtaráin, the residence of the Irish president is located within the park grounds. Its magnificent staterooms are open to public on Saturdays – free tickets are issued at Phoenix Park Visitor Centre on the day.

DUBLIN WRITERS’ MUSEUM
Address: 18 Parnell Square, Dublin 1 Tel: 353 1 872 2077 Web: www.writersmuseum.com Open: 10:00-17:00 Mon-Sat, 11:00-17:00 Sun (10:00-18:00 Mon-Fri, Jun-Aug) Admission: €6.50 (Adult) €4 (children)

Located in an 18th century Georgian mansion north of the city centre, the museum traces the history and the lives of some of Dublin’s most famous authors. Visitors can wander through the extensive exhibitions featuring books, letters, portraits as well as personal items of world-renowned writers such as Swift, Sheridan, Shaw, Wilde, Yeats, Joyce and Beckett. The museum also holds special readings and theatrical plays and has its own bookshop and a café for weary visitors to relax in.