Tourist information
A snapshot of Dublin
The Organising Committee has compiled a concise listing of some things that we thought you may find of interest and may want to experience – if you have time! – either before or after the Congress.
Trinity College (& The Book of Kells)
First on the list, why not visit Ireland’s oldest university campus (founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I), with its elegant Front Square, cobblestone pathways and the stately Old Library with its high-vaulted Long Room.
The Books of Kells - the 9th-century illuminated manuscript of the Gospels and one of Ireland’s star cultural attractions – has its home in Trinity in the Old Library. It can now be experienced like never before - virtually. Step inside the pages and take a spectacular journey through the ancient masterpiece’s history.
(Advance booking advised)
James Joyce Centre
Featuring exhibits on Joyce - his life, work and cultural context, in an 18th century Georgian townhouse in Dublin City centre. A permanent interactive exhibition on Ulysses, as well as walking tours, organised activities and performances.
James Joyce Tower and Museum
Housed in the seaside Martello tower where the action of Joyce’s novel Ulysses begins. Featuring guided tours by appointment and a unique collection of Joycean memorabilia, including two death masks of Joyce on display.
(Free entry)
Museum of Literature of Ireland
Explore Ireland’s rich literary tradition, from Oscar Wilde and Anne Enright to James Joyce and Sally Rooney in immersive exhibitions within UCD’s Newman House on St Stephen’s Green, then relax in the Museum’s café and gardens.
The Dedalus Library is located in a beautiful silent room overlooking the Iveagh Gardens and contains a considerable collection of academic journals, periodicals, and scholarly texts relating to the work of James Joyce.
Chester Beatty Library
Showcases mining magnate Alfred Chester Beatty’s private collection of artefacts from East Asia and the Near East, including religious manuscripts, rare books and papyrus texts, paintings, costumes, crafts, and curiosities from across the world.
N.B. Located in the very courtyard of Dublin Castle!
Christchurch Cathedral
Christchurch Cathedral has stood at the heart of Dublin for almost 1,000 years. Many visitors from all over the world are welcomed to this important heritage site every day. Three minutes’ walk from Dublin Castle.
St. Patricks Cathedral
As the largest cathedral and one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Ireland, Saint Patrick’s has been at the heart of Dublin and Ireland’s history and culture for over 800 years. The Dean is the ordinary for the cathedral; this office has existed since 1219. The most famous office holder was Jonathan Swift. Three minutes’ walk from Dublin Castle.
National Gallery of Ireland
Ireland’s national collection of Irish and European art from the 14th century to the present day, from Caravaggio to Vermeer, F.W. Burton to Jack B. Yeats. Located in the heart of Georgian Dublin, there are two entrances: Merrion Square and Clare Street.
(Free admission)
Hugh Lane Gallery
Art museum showcasing the collection of Sir Hugh Lane. Noted for its examples of French impressionist art, stained glass, and the reconstructed studio of Irish-born painter Francis Bacon, as well as exhibitions of contemporary Irish artists.
(Free admission)
Irish Museum of Modern Art
Housed on the extensive grounds of the 17th century Royal Hospital Kilmainham, IMMA is home to the National Collection of modern and contemporary art, with over 3,500 artworks by Irish and International artists. Located in Dublin 8, a noted cultural and historical quarter in the city.Art museum showcasing the collection of Sir Hugh Lane. Noted for its examples of French impressionist art, stained glass, and the reconstructed studio of Irish-born painter Francis Bacon, as well as exhibitions of contemporary Irish artists.
(Free admission)
Kilmainham Gaol
A former prison where leaders of Irish rebellions and republican movements were detained and executed, most notably during the 1916 Easter Rising.
Guided tours with galleries of historical memorabilia and artistic works.
Guinness Storehouse
Attraction across seven floors detailing the origins, manufacture, and cultural impact of Ireland’s most famous stout. Panoramic views of Dublin from the Storehouse’s rooftop Gravity Bar.
(Advance booking required)
Museum of Natural History
museum.ie/en-IE/Museums/Natural-History
Also known as Ireland’s ‘Dead Zoo,’ a Victorian-era museum boasting of more than 10,000 zoological specimens, skeletons and fossils as well as animals from around the world.
National Museum of Ireland
—ARCHAEOLOGY : Kildare Street, Dublin 2
Historical and archaeological museum of Ireland, featuring some of the most impressive Irish heritage artefacts in the world, from the Stone Age to the end of medieval times.
(Free admission)
—DECORATIVE ARTS & HISTORY : Collins Barracks, Dublin 7
Housed in a former military barracks, its decorate arts encompasses silver, ceramics, glassware, furniture, clothing, jewellery and coins while the military history collection tells of Ireland’s military and revolutionary past.
(Free admission)
Time out in Dublin?
St Stephen’s Green
heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/st-stephens-green
In the very centre of Dublin’s shopping district lies one of Ireland’s best-known public parks.
Lord Ardilaun opened it for the citizens of the city in 1880. This 9-hectare green space has been maintained in its original Victorian layout, with extensive tree and shrub planting and spectacular spring and summer bedding.
Phoenix Park
Europe’s largest enclosed public park, originally a royal hunting park in the 17th century, still home to herds of fallow deer. On its grounds include the President of Ireland’s official residence, the American ambassador’s residence, Dublin Zoo, and some of Dublin’s most iconic public monuments.
National Botanic Gardens
Three kilometres from the city centre, featuring extensive grounds and over 16,000 plant species and cultivars from habitats around the world. Includes the National Herbarium and several historic wrought iron glasshouses.
Look out for the step on which Ludwig Wittgenstein sat in thought while he lived in Dublin!
War Memorial Gardens
heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/irish-national-war-memorial-gardens
One of the most famous memorial gardens in Europe. They are dedicated to the memory of the 49,400 Irish soldiers who died in the First World War. The name of every single soldier is contained in the sumptuously illustrated Harry Clarke manuscripts in the granite bookrooms.
These gardens are not only a place of remembrance, they are also of great architectural interest and beauty. The great Sir Edwin Lutyens designed them. Lutyens was a prolific garden designer, especially of war memorials, but nonetheless lent his expertise to only four gardens in Ireland.
Useful Passes
Go City Dublin Pass
Permits admission to over 70 museums, houses and estates, food tours, and other attractions in Dublin. Starting from €74 for an unlimited pass for 1-5 days, (from €64 for a choice of from three attractions valid for 60 days). Choose attractions as you go - no need to decide before purchasing.
(Please note that the Dublin Pass no longer includes a free transfer from Dublin Airport)
Leap Card
https://about.leapcard.ie/leap-visitor-card
Leap Card is a reloadable smartcard for Dublin’s public transportation network. Leap Cards can be used on all Dublin Bus services (including Nitelink), Luas and DART services. Leap Cards are available for purchase online before you travel, and in post offices and select shops across Dublin, including the Dublin Bus main office on O’Connell Street.
Options:
1-day Visitor Leap Card for €8
3-day Visitor Leap Card for €16
7-day Visitor Leap Card for €32
For a route planner, timetables for public transport services and other information:-
Transport for Ireland’s website at www.transportforireland.ie
the TFI Journey Planner at www.journeyplanner.transportforireland.ie
DoDublin Freedom Ticket
A 72-hour travel pass, including access to the public Dublin Bus network, the Luas tram and DART rail networks, a 48-hour pass on DoDublin's hop-on hop-off tour buses, and Dublin Bus routes to Dublin Airport (routes 16 and 41).
Purchase online for €48 and redeem at Dublin Bus offices on O’Connell Street, or the Day Tours and Trips Tickets Kiosk in St Stephen's Green Shopping Centre.
Apps & other Sites
Taxi apps
Taxis can be booked through various apps including:
Free Now (free-now.com/ie)
Lynk Taxis (lynk.ie)
VIP Taxis (viptaxis.ie)
There are dedicated taxi ranks throughout the city and sometimes you may be lucky enough to hail one on the street!
Extra charges apply for premium time periods (20:00 to 08:00), additional passengers (€1 each) and pre-booking (€2).
Visit Transport for Ireland’s fare estimator at https://www.transportforireland.ie/fares/taxi-fares/
This useful site allows access to live real time departure and journey planning information across bus, Luas (tram) and rail services.
Walking Tour apps
Search to find the app you like best - here are just a few:
http://www.celticwanderlust.com/self-guided-walking-tour-dublin/
https://walkaroundtheneighbourhood.com/ - 30 min tour of Victorian Dublin
https://dublinfreewalkingtour.ie/ Belfast Cork Dublin Galway
