There are countless things to do and places to see in Dublin, Ireland. There are theaters, concerts, and movies, of course, but there are some very old, very interesting things there as well.
Trinity College, officially named the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin, founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I, is the oldest illegal in Ireland. Oscar Wilde and Jonathan Swift are alumni of the college. Situated in the very heart of Dublin City, the college’s towering Gothic buildings and lush green draw visitors, as does the lavish history of the site. The college is one of seven ancient universities in Ireland and Britain, and is still a working college, is full of people and movement when classes are in session.
The college’s Old Library, which was built in the 18th century, contains an awesome collection of literature. The most valuable and famous of all the books in this library is the Book of Kells, an illustrated version of the gospels, including the Book of Durrow, the St. Gall Gospel Book, and and the St. had Gospels. It was created in approximately 800 AD, more than six centuries before Gutenberg invented the printing press, by Celtic monks. The monks filled the book with vibrant depictions of Jesus Christ, his apostles, and his followers. Borders of the pages are decorated with elite knots and other beautiful designs. The book was named for its original resting place, the Abbey of Kells, where the book resided for centuries.
Kilmainham Gaol, which opened in 1796 as the Dublin’s County Gaol, and it closed in 1924. In between, it housed militant rebels of the various Irish rebellions in 1798, 1803, 1848, 1867, 1916, 1919, and 1922. Some of them were executed at the Gaol. The Gaol also housed thousand if men, women, and even children for crimes such as murder and rape, and for petty offense including stealing food. And there were thousands more people who had been convicted of one crime or another who were held here while waiting to be moved to Australia. Today, it is a museum.
Dublin Castle was built in the early thirteenth century on the site of a former Viking settlement of Dublin, and from 1204 until 1922, it was the seat of government of the English and then the British administration of Ireland. Constructed on the orders of King John of England, this medieval fortress had four corner towers linked together by curtain walls, which were a medieval type of defensive walls. The castle was built on high ground. It served primarily as the residence for the Viceroy of Ireland, which was the British monarchy's representative to Ireland as well as the administrative and ceremonial center of Ireland.
It stood intact until April of 1684, until a major fire damaged a large part of the castle. Even so, it left much of the fortification survived to the point that most of the castle is still explored by visitors.
During the late 17th ad 18th centuries, the castle was essentially rebuilt in a manner which converted the medieval stronghold into a Georgian palace, with a huge suite of reception rooms, or state apartments, which were used for state ceremonies, balls, and banquets.
A chapel, called the Chapel Royal, was added in the early 1800s which provided a place of worship for the Viceroy and his family.
After the 1922 independence of Ireland and the removal of a viceroy from the country, the castle was given over to the Irish government and now serves as a government complex as well as a tourist attraction.
These are just some of the things to see and do in Dublin, Ireland. Many more are listed below.
Recommended Resources
The library's official webpage lays out its mission, which is to maintain and preserve the collections of the library, making them available to the public in the most appropriate manner, and promote the cultural heritage of those exhibits. It also announces upcoming events, membership benefits and the opportunity to sign up, and exhibitions.
http://www.cbl.ie/
The bi-annual Dublin Dance Festival maintains this site to share who those who run and participate in the festival are and what they do. The site contains news about the festival and announces social events for Festival Friends.
http://www.dublindancefestival.ie/
The official website of the Dublin Fringe festival, which states that the Festival is home to bold ideas, brave performing arts, and adventurous audiences. There is a section about the event, describing it as a curated and multi-disciplinary festival, and offers the opportunity to support the Fringe Festival.
http://www.fringefest.com/
Publishes details about the Theatre Festival, including the dates and times, announcements pertaining to the festival, pertinent news and the chance to support the festival as you can afford.
http://www.dublintheatrefestival.com/
Contains extensive information about the Dublin Zoo, beginning with a section an online animal guide which categorises each animal by class, lists them, and provides details about the animal, a photograph, and a "keeper's secret" which is an unusual fact about it. The site also has visitor notices, a schedule of daily talks and activities, and directions as well as hours of operation and rates.
https://www.dublinzoo.ie
Honoring the life and work of James Joyce, arguably Ireland's most influential writer, this centre celebrates with a museum quite dedicated to the writer. On this website, there are copies of his books which give information about the work, as well as upcoming events and a gift shop.
http://jamesjoyce.ie
Information for visitors to Marsh's Library are among the many helpful items on their website. The library, which was founded in the early 1700s, has posted directions, days and hours that they are open, the history of the library, and accessibility. Upcoming events and guest speakers are posted and that information updated frequently. students and scholars are invited to do research in the library, and it is free of charge. The entry rates and contact information are also found here.
http://www.marshlibrary.ie/
The official website of the National Wax Museum Plus shares details about the basics, such as tickets, the location of the museum, pricing, and how to arrange school or other groups. They also have a section about the exhibits and activities including time vaults, great Irish writers, horror chambers, science, and the children's section of the museum.
https://www.waxmuseumplus.ie
Shares details about the Oisin Gallery, which is located in Dublin's museum and gallery district. The focus of the works of this gallery is contemporary figurative, realism, and still life pieces. There are sections about the various artists as well as past, present, and future exhibitions
http://www.oisingallery.com/
