Dublin City Tour

GPO – Most famous for being the focal point in the Irish 1916 Rising.  On Easter Monday, 23rd April 1916 Patrick Pearse read out the Proclamation of the Republic of Ireland, a Free State.  Click to view more information & photo of the GPO.  Today it is home to An Post, Ireland's national post service.  Click to view postal rates from Ireland with An Post. The Spire – Otherwise know as the Monument of Light, the world’s largest sculpture.  It was erected in 2003 and standing 120 meters in height.  The top 12 meters are luminated from inside the cone.  Click to view more details about The Spire.

Trinity College – A superb building with cobblestone paths dominating Dublin’s city centre.  With over 400 years of history, Trinity is today best known for its leading research in areas such as Leukaemia.  Click to visit the Trinity College website. The Book of Kells – Written around the year 800AD this book contains a richly decorated copy of the four gospels and is a ‘must see’ when you visit Dublin.  Housed in Trinity College’s spectacular Long Room (nearly 65 m in length) this library contains 200,000 of its oldest books in oak bookcases.  Click to view information about the exhibition at the Book of Kells. 

Shopping – This Street is ideal for finding traditional Irish gifts.  Both House of Ireland and the Kilkenny Shop offer a range of jewellery, clothing, pottery, Waterford crystal, Irish linens and much more.  Click to view more details about the Kilkenny Shop or the House of Ireland.  The Celtic Note specialises in both traditional and current Irish music.  Click to visit the Celtic Note website.  The Blarney Inn pub located just beside this shopping area serves a traditional lunch menu.  It also has evening entertainment.  Click to visit the Blarney Inn Pub website.

National Art Gallery – This stop leads you to the side door of the National Gallery.  For more information on the gallery see Stop 5.

National Art Gallery - Entrance to the art gallery is free and you can view a wide range of pictures ranging from 14th – 20th century.  The building itself is impressive and contains a restaurant and gift shop.  Click to view more details on the current art exhibitions on the National Art Gallery website. National History Museum - *this exhibition is closed as part of a major restoration project*  Otherwise know as the Dead Zoo, it contains 10,000 exhibits with over 1 million specimens of the natural world.  From the small insects to the mighty whales & elephants this is an exhibition not to be missed.  Entrance is free of charge.  Click to visit the National History Museum website. The Dail (government buildings) – An impressive building occupied by the various government departments.  Completed in 1922, this location was home for the Irish Free State government following the 1916 Rising.  Tours are available on Saturdays.  Click to view more information about The Dail.http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/Dublin/GovernmentBuildings/

Number 29 Museum – This building takes a guided tour from the attic to the basement of an old Georgian house, which was restored to its former glory just over 20 years ago.  Furnished with artefacts as they would have been this tour tell the tale of its first inhabitant in 1794.  Click to view Number 29 tour information.

St. Stephen’s Green – This 9 acre park first opened over 100 years ago and is now a sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of City life.  It offers plenty of walkways and a large pond with a range of birdlife.  During the summer months you may be lucky enough to catch a lunchtime concert.  Click to view more details about Stephen’s Green. Stephen’s Green shopping mall – This was the first modern shopping mall built in Ireland and within its dominating glass structure it contains over 100 shopping outlets under one roof.  Click to view more shopping information at the Stephen’s Green Shopping Mall. Grafton Street shopping – This is one of Dublin’s main shopping streets offering some of the more upmarket brands in shopping.  There are a range of cafés and restaurants on nearby streets offering a welcome break for sore feet!  Click to view more details about Grafton Street.

Dublin Tourism Office - is located in the beautifully restored former St. Andrew’s Church.  Our ticket desk is located at Desk 2. Pacino’s Restaurant – This family run restaurant serves traditional, fresh, quality Italian cuisine and is best known for their classic & gourmet pizzas, pastas, steaks and salads.   Click to view more menus & open hours on the Pacino’s Restaurant website.

Dublin Castle & Chester Beatty Library – Once built for residential purposes, today Dublin Castle is mainly used for presidential inaugurations and functions.  It is home to the Chester Beatty Library which exhibits artistic treasures of the great cultures and religions of the world.  Click to visit the Dublin Castle & the Chester Beatty Library website. Temple Bar - Some of Dublin's best night spots, restaurants and unusual shops line these narrow, cobbled streets.  Several food markets and culture festivals take place throughout the year and its central location makes it an ideal place to spend a few hours.  Click to view more details about Temple Bar.

City Hall – Originally the Royal Exchange, it is now the headquarters of local government in Dublin.  They offer daily guided tours of this wonderful Georgian building.  Click to view more details about City Hall.

Please see Stop 12.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral – Standing majestically in the heart of Dublin City this cathedral was built over 800 years ago in honour of Ireland’s patron stain, St. Patrick.  Today although a working cathedral it is possible to take a guided tour or just sit and relax in the pretty gardens.  Click to view more details about St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Please see Stop 15.

Guinness Storehouse – While visiting the home of the black stuff, visiting the Guinness Storehouse is a must do.   The core of the Storehouse resembles the largest pint in the world, stretching up to the Gravity Bar, the best viewing spot in the City.  Enjoy a free pint of Guinness at the top and discover the secrets of the Guinness brew on the way up.  Click to view more details, opening hours & photos on the Guinness Storehouse website.

Royal Hospital Kilmainham – Now home to the Irish Museum of Modern Art, this spectacular building took four years to complete.  It is set in the stately grandeur of its own formal landscaped gardens and tree lined avenues.  Click to view more details on the Royal Hospital Kilmainham website.

Kilmainham Gaol – This is one of the largest unoccupied jails in Europe.  Its eerie setting holds the history to many political prisoners, including Eamon de Valera, who later became the president of Ireland.  Click to view more tour details for Kilmainham Gaol.

Heuston Station – Built over 150 years ago this station was given an imposing frontage so as to impress the passengers.  It services the south & west counties of Ireland.  Today Irish Rail provides all of the train transportation to these destinations.   Click to view train schedules on the Irish Rail website.

Traditional Irish Pubs - Some of the more local Irish pubs are located on this stretch.  Nancy Hands has an ornate dome window and the interior features an authentic Victorian Bar and original staircase from Trinity College.  Whereas Ryan’s has seen many famous people pass through its doors such as President Clinton and Julia Roberts!  Click visit Nancy Hands Pub or Ryan’s Pub websites.  Click to view independent Pub Reviews.

Phoenix Park - This park stands on 1,752 acres of land and had a 7 mile wall surrounding the park.  It is Europe’s largest urban park, with London’s Hyde Park fitting comfortably inside 5 times over.  It is home to the Wellington Monument, Aras An Uachtarain (the President of Ireland), Dublin Zoo, the Garda headquarters and a large heard of Fallow Deer, which roam freely.  Click to view more details about Phoenix Park. Dublin Zoo – see all the wild and wonderful animals at Dublin Zoo!  See the spot giraffe and zebra on the Plains of Africa and catch a glimpse of the herd of Asian elephants in the Rainforest.  You can go around the world and be back in time for dinner!  Click to view more details & open hours at the Dublin Zoo website.

Collin’s Barracks, National Museum of Decorative Arts – This was the oldest inhabited barracks in Europe.  Renamed Collins Barracks after the revolutionary leader Michael Collins. Today it houses the very fine national collections of weaponry; furniture; folklife; costume; silver; ceramics and glasswear; musical instruments; uniforms and much more.  Click to find out more about current exhibitions on the Collins Barracks website.

Old Jameson Distillery – An engaging guided tour bringing you through the history of Jameson whiskey.  Starting with a video, through to an animated exhibition and a glass of whiskey to finish!  Looking for evening entertainment – why not book a Jameson Shindig evening.  Enjoy a guided tour of the distillery, followed by an aperitif Jameson signature drink and then a sumptuous 4-course meal.  The atmosphere is lively with music from the Jameson Players and the Claddagh Irish dancers playing throughout the night.   Not suitable for children under 18 years of age.  Click to view more tour details & rates on the Old Jameson Distillery website. St. Michan’s Church – A small unimpressive church yet bursting with impressive facts.  Handel is said to have practiced his world famous Messiah on the church organ.  While in the depths of the crypt lie 3 mummified remains, which are on view as part of the tour.  Click to view more details about St. Michan's Church.http://www.sacred-destinations.com/ireland/dublin-st-michan-church

Dublin Writers Museum - anyone who wants to discover, explore, or simply enjoy Dublin's immense literary heritage.  Whatever you think you know about Irish literature, you’re sure to find something to astound and delight you at this visitor attraction.  Click to view more tour details & opening hours on the Dublin Writer’s Museum website.

Please see tour information from Stop 25 & Stop 26.

Convention Centre - The Convention Centre Dublin (The CCD) is Ireland's new world class purpose-built international conference and event venue.  Opened in September 2010, Ireland now has an iconic state of the art conference facility.  Click to visit the Convention Centre website. Famine Monument - The sculpture is a commemorative work dedicated to those Irish people forced to emigrate during the 19th century Irish Famine.  The location is particularly fitting as one of the first voyages to set sail departed from Custom House situated at the Docklands.  Click to view more information the the Famine Monument. Grand Canal Theatre - Visually this building is a wonderful piece of architect and opened its doors in March 2010.  With seating capacity for 2,000 people and  theatrical experiences including Ballets, Musicals, Family Shows, Drama, Concerts, Comedy, Orchestral you're sure to be impressed!  Click to find more information about what's showing on the Grand Canal Theatre website. Jeanie Johnston - Jeanie Johnston is an accurate replica of the original ship which sailed between Tralee in Co. Kerry and North America during Famine times.  This tour replicates the daunting experience that millions of Irish faced seeking survival.  Click to find out more about the tour details on the Jeanie Johnston website. Glide Tours - Avail of our exclusive 10% discount when you present your City Sightseeing ticket.  Click to find out about the Glide Tour experience.

The O2 - The O2 was built on the site of the former Point Theatre, a smaller music venue.  Today The O2 can hold 14,000 people but has kept the original front from the Point.  Click to visit The O2 website. The Dublin Eye - The Wheel of Dublin, a 60 metre tall observation wheel and offers unparalleled views across the city taking in Croke Park and The Aviva Stadium and stretching as far as the Dublin Mountains, The Four Courts and Howth Head.  Click to view more details about The Dublin Eye.

You can cross here to visit the visitor attractions at Stop 25.

You must disembark the bus at this stage or wait for the next loop.