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Dublin has become an increasingly popular holiday destination and, unsurprisingly, there are several guided tours available for visitors who wish to familiarize themselves with the city's cultural and historical legacy. If you're a little more adventurous, however, and feel like going it alone, here are two self-guiding excursions: an introduction to some of the highlights of literary Dublin, and a delightful train journey along the scenic east coast.
TOUR 1: Literary Dublin
Dublin offers bookworms endless possibilities when following the trail of literary figures, both fictional and in the real lives of their creators. A visit of every single sight of literary significance in a single day would constitute a physical impossibility, therefore this tour offers a mere taster of places of literary interest.
The natural introduction to Dublin's literary world and obvious starting point is the Dublin Writers Museum on Parnell Square. This museum, set in a restored 18th century townhouse, gives a broad introduction to the authors and works of literature that have put Dublin on the map—starting with the first Gaelic translation of the Old Testament and continuing on to modern classics. Downstairs in the Gorham Library you can find a wide collection of first editions and various exhibits from the private lives of the writers, including correspondence and other memorabilia. Upstairs houses the Gallery of Writers. Sumptuously decorated in white and gold, with ornate doors and a stucco ceiling, there are frequent poetry recitals and lectures held here.
Walk up Great Denmark Street to where it meets North Great George's Street. You will pass Belvedere College—the prestigious school that was built as a Catholic answer to Trinity College and where Dublin's beloved James Joyce (1882-1941) spent his unhappy school days.
If you walk back down along North Great George's Street you will come to the James Joyce Centre, an absolute must for any Joyce enthusiast. Located on the city's northside, which was Joyce's own stomping ground, a short walk affords a glimpse of no. 7 Eccles Street - home to Leopold and Molly Bloom in Joyce's epic novel. The centre itself is a beautifully and lavishly restored Georgian townhouse which also is featured (albeit in a minor role) in Ulysses. The building is a rare example of Michael Stapleton's stucco mouldings, which makes it one of Dublin's most prized museums, even without the Joyce exhibits. Talks are regularly held here, and exhibits detailing Joyce's literary and private life, including an exhibition of prized family portraits, are all on display.
The Joyce Centre is also the chief organizer of the annual Bloomsday celebration. Every year Joyce enthusiasts congregate on June 16th to make a pilgrimage to important points of reference in the novel Ulysses. There is also a Ulysses portrait gallery with depictions of some of the many hundred characters that appear in the novel. The Guinness Library houses a collection of different editions and translations of Joyce's work, so you can read up on what all the fuss is about.
Cross Parnell Street and continue down Malborough Street until you reach Abbey Lower Street. Number 26 is the Abbey Theatre, effectively Ireland's national theatre, which continues to promote Irish talent. Founded as the Irish Literary Theatre in 1904 by W.B. Yeats and other members of the Irish Literary Society, it gained notoriety for upsetting nationalist sensibilities with the 1926 staging of Séan O'Casey's The Plough and the Stars. Over the years, the theatre continued to gain a reputation for controversy, often requiring a heavy police presence to avoid bloodshed. The original building was lost to fire in 1955 and replaced by the current (architecturally undistinguished) Abbey in 1961.
Continue down Abbey Street Lower until you reach O'Connell Street Lower, then turn left into it and head over the river. Now in the historical heart of Dublin, head straight for Trinity College in the middle of College Green. Trinity College, like Oxford or Cambridge, is a famous seat of learning with a long list of distinguished ex-students. They include: Oscar Wilde—renowned playwright and author of the Importance of Being Earnest; Samuel Beckett—author of Waiting for Godot; Jonathan Swift—author of Gulliver's Travels; Bram Stoker— Dracula; and J.M. Synge—who wrote The Playboy of the Western World. This last piece caused such outrage when it was staged at The Abbey in 1907, that police were required to avoid serious violence.
Facing College Green is the college's West Front, framed by two statues of distinguished ex-students: the philosopher and statesman Edmund Burke and the poet Oliver Goldsmith. Try to ignore the frenzy of tourists at Trinity and enjoy the beautiful and inspiring surroundings by wandering around the quads. But eventually, it's time to follow the herd of visitors and head for the Old Library, which is easily accessible from Fellows Square. The greatest treasure of the Old Library is undoubtedly the Book of Kells—Ireland's most richly decorated manuscript, containing the Four Gospels in Latin. The beautiful calligraphy and intricate detail make it immediately obvious as to why the Book of Kells is one of Ireland's most prized treasures. Legend has it that Queen Victoria graffitied the book with her signature!
Amble over from College Green to St Stephen's Green at a nicely relaxed pace—the quickest route is to cross Nassau Street and head straight down Dawson Street. This beautiful and spacious green was intended by the Georgian town planners as the centrepiece for the elegant development of the city. Such elegance can still be seen in the design of Fitzwilliam and Merrion Squares. Apart from a beautiful and inspiring place to take a walk, St Stephen's Green also pays homage to two of Dublin's most prized literary greats: Joyce and Yeats. W.B. Yeats (1865-1939) was arguably Ireland's greatest poet, winning the Nobel prize in 1923. The statue in honor of him, on St Stephen's Green, is by Henry Moore.
Leave the Green using the southwest corner, where it meets Cuffe Street and Harcourt Street. Continue down Harcourt Street until you reach Camden Place on your right—the third turning will be Synge Street. Number 33 Synge Street was the birthplace of the renowned playwright George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950), author of Pygmalion and yet another Nobel laureate (he donated a substantial share of the prize money to the National Gallery). The house where Shaw lived with his family until he was ten-years-old has been furnished in authentic Victorian style and, although there are few original Shaw family belongings, it manages to capture the sombre mood of the stiff society and crumbling family life that featured so heavily in Shaw's household at the time.
TOUR 2: A Day Trip on the DART Line
With crippling traffic problems that can bring the city to a virtual stand-still at rush hour, Dubliners should indeed be thankful for the DART. An electrified light-rail system that has just one line, the route stretches 25 miles from the picturesque village of Howth all the way south to Bray. A trip on this regular and surprisingly clean service is about a pleasant and stress-free journey as you can have in Dublin. The DART line also takes in some of the city’s most charming suburban villages, and if you purchase a one-day pass from Dublin Bus, you can hop on and off the train as you please. It’s an ideal way to explore the outlying areas of this rapidly expanding city.
If you’re in the city centre you can board the DART train at either Connolly or the Tara Street Station, both of which are within walking distance of O’Connell Street. Alternatively, the Pearse Street station is located at Westland Row. You have the option of travelling either northbound or southbound: both destinations put a variety of entertainment options and historical landmarks at your disposal.
Southbound (City Centre to Bray)
A journey from the Tara Street station to the seaside town of Bray (at the outskirts of Co. Wicklow) will take just under an hour. Once leaving the city centre, you’ll pass by stops at Ringsend, before the train joins the coast, and the line curves around the majestic Dublin Bay. Travelling through Sandymount, with its fine strand and spectacular views of the Wicklow mountains, you’ll then arrive at Booterstown, an affluent Dublin suburb. As you travel further south, you’ll pass through the bustling town of Blackrock, renowned for its restaurants and weekend market; the suburbs of Salthill and Monkstown; and the town of Dun Laoghaire. Originally known as Kingstown, Dun Laoghaire is an elegant Victorian port with imposing harbour walls and a rocky beach, and the town serves as a popular spot for those with a passion for sailing. Dun Laoghaire is also a thriving commercial district and features a reasonably good shopping mall in the centre of town.
Travelling through Seapoint, the next stop is Sandycove. A seaside village popular with some of Dublin’s more fashionable suburbanites, Sandycove is home to the famous Forty Foot bathing place and a curious Martello Tower, which features as a location in the opening chapter of Joyce’s Ulysses. Built originally by the British during the Napoleonic wars, there are several such towers scattered across the Dublin coastline. Joyce himself lived here during 1904, and the tower now houses a museum in tribute to his staggering contribution to Irish literature.
Passing through the mainly residential area of Glenegeary, you’ll soon arrive at Dalkey: a historic town favored by both Irish and international celebrities, whose homes on the Hill command enviable views of Dublin Bay. This well-preserved Medieval village dates back over 3500 years and is highly regarded for its seafood restaurants and charming pubs. A visit to the Dalkey Castle and Heritage Centre provides a fascinating insight into this delightful, but rather exclusive area; and if you’re feeling particularly adventurous, hire a boat out to the deserted Dalkey Island and explore the ruins of an early Christian church.
Killiney, which is the next stop on the line, is rather comically known as the Irish "Bay of Naples," and its pebbly beach is much loved by Dubliners in search of the sun. The DART stop is adjacent to the beach and offers fine panoramic views of the whole area. Passing through Shankhill, you’ll find yourself crossing over the county border, and into Wicklow, which is known colloquially as the "garden of Ireland." Immortalized in Neil Jordan’s movie The Miracle, Bray is a curious town: its rather gaudy seafront, lined with amusement arcades and hoards of bed & breakfast guesthouses, seems right out of another age, but with city centre house prices in Dublin being what they are, it’s still a bustling neighborhood. A somewhat arduous walk up Bray Head is rewarding: the view from the top will really make your day trip worthwhile.
Northbound (City Centre to Howth)
The northside of Dublin is changing fast, and there’s no better way to view the city’s economic and social diversity than from the comfort of the train. Like many aspects of Irish life, the social geography of northside Dublin is somewhat contradictory: prosperous suburbs like Howth and Malahide sit uncomfortably with economically stagnant areas such as Harmonstown and Killester.
Boarding at Connolly, the first stop on the route is Clontarf Road. Although the station is some distance from the village itself, Clontarf is certainly worth a visit, not least for its signature building, the Castle, and a plethora of fine restaurants. You’ll also pass by Dollymount Strand and Bull Island, the latter of which is the only UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in a capital city, and home to a wide variety of domestic wildlife and birds. A visit to the Island’s comprehensive Interpretative Centre on Causeway Road will fill you in on the area and the intriguing history of the origins of Bull Island itself.
Next on the line is the town of Killester: a solidly working class neighborhood probably best known for Roddy Doyle’s affectionate representations of its people in the Barrytown trilogy of novels: The Commitments, The Van and The Snapper. The villages of Harmonstown, Raheny and Kilbarrack are all residential areas; stay on the train here, continuing north through the neighborhoods of Bayside and Sutton.
You’ll then arrive at Howth Junction. Remain on the train if you wish to visit the seaside town of Howth, but transfer for Portmarnock and Malahide. Both of these villages were originally industrial ports, and unsurprisingly feature an abundance of quality seafood restaurants. Locally known as the "velvet strand," Portmarnock offers fine views of both Lambay Island and Ireland’s Eye, and is also home to one of the finest golf courses in the country. Malahide features an impressive marina with over 300 berths, and is a popular destination for yachts visiting from overseas. The town also boasts a fine Norman castle and demesne. First built in 1174, the estate remained in the ownership of the same family for over 800 years, and is now under the care of Dublin County Council.
If you haven't transferred at the Junction, you’ll soon find yourself at the end of the line, arriving in one of the most fondly regarded towns in all of Dublin. Howth can be breathtakingly beautiful during the summer, and it will come as no surprise to see the village thronged with visitors, who take the short walk along the pier to an elegantly restored lighthouse. With its steep, winding streets, spectacular views of the Bay from Howth Head, and a range of excellent seafood restaurants, Howth appears unashamedly romantic at sunset, even in poor weather. If you’re thirsting for a pint after a long walk, the Bloody Stream pub is conveniently located right underneath the DART station.
Full details of DART services are available at http://www.irishrail.ie/.
Viking Splash Tours:
A popular tour is the Viking Splash Tours (http://www.vikingsplashtours.com) in which you can see Dublin via reconditioned World War II vintage amphibious militaryvehicles called "Ducks". The costumed and colourful Viking Tour Captains will tell you all about the most exciting sights in Dublin: how the Vikings first settled the City over 1000 years ago and how Dublin has become a thriving, cosmopolitan European city. Finally, you’ll experience a real thrill as the tour captain drives the Duck into the waters of the historic Grand Canal Basin for the water portion of the tour. The tour departs and finishes at Bull Alley Street beside gardens of St. Patrick's Cathedral (around the corner from the ticket office). It also departs from Stephen's Green North (opposite the top of Dawson Street) with season runs from mid-February to the end of November.
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