About Dublin ...

County Dublin, situated on the east coast, is bordered by Meath in the northwest, Kildare in the southwest and Wicklow in the south. It is the third smallest county in the country but it has a third of the country's population.

The county contains many parks and castles and is a great location for golf and horse riding.

Dublin city is over 1000 years old and was founded by the Vikings in the 9th century. They brought trade and commerce and the country's first use of coinage. After their conversion to Christianity, they built Ireland's first church on the site where Christ Church Cathedral now stands. Dublin became a major trading centre in the 17th century, while the city's architectural heritage dates back to the 18th century.

The country's capital city is sited on the banks of the River Liffey. Steeped in culture and heritage, the city is a mix of Medieval, Georgian and modern architecture. Dublin is a busy port, which boasts literary giants such as Joyce, Beckett, Swift and Wilde as native sons. Dublin Castle, Christchurch Cathedral, Trinity College, as well as art galleries, museums, theatres and shops, pubs and clubs make Dublin a haven for the visitor. Grafton Street and Henry Street are the main shopping areas in the city centre, but shopping extends throughout the city and its environs.

Dublin Airport is just 6 miles from the city and is accessed by taxi, aircoach and Dublin bus

On the north side of the city just 3 miles from the airport is the thriving historical town of Swords with its restored Castle and home to Fingal County Council Head Office, an ideal place for shopping and entertainment.

Malahide is a very popular coastal village with many restaurants, pubs, shops and beautiful Malahide Castle, which contains Fry Model Railway.

Just a couple of miles walk along the coast lies Portmarnock with its long, sandy beach and the internationally known Portmarnock Links Golf Course.

Howth is a lovely fishing village with many seafood restaurants and a view across the bay to Ireland's Eye Island.

Skerries, a popular venue for sailing and fishing, boasts Skerries Mills, comprising a watermill, five-sail windmill and four-sail windmill. Also in the area are Newbridge House and Traditional Farm, Donabate and Ardgillan Demesne, Balbriggan and the seaside villages of Rush, Donabate and Portrane.

Killiney and Dalkey on the southside are well worth a visit, both for the marine activities, the scenery and wonderful restaurants. Tallaght, a suburb at the foot of the Dublin Mountains, has a population similar to that of Limerick and has a well known large shopping called The Square, complete with cinemas and bowling. Dún Laoghaire, whether to catch the ferry across the Irish Sea or to walk the pier and watch the sailboats or to stroll around the town and shop, is well worth a visit. Rathfarnham with the Pearse Museum and Rathfarnham Castle is an interesting village. Lucan is an expanding town on the River Liffey with Liffey Valley Shopping Centre complete with cinema complex close by. Glencullen in the Dublin Mountains is famous for Johnnie Fox's pub, 'the highest pub in Ireland'. Monkstown, a seaside village is home to 'Birdwatch Ireland'.

Other Local Attractions/Activities
Áras an Uachtaráin, Phoenix Park and Phoenix Park Visitor Centre
Trinity College and The Book of Kells
Guinness Storehouse, James's Gate
National Museum of Archaeology and History, Kildare Street
National Museum of Natural History. Merrion Street
Dublin Castle and Chester Beatty Library
Kilmainham Gaol, Kilmainham
Royal Hospital, Kilmainham and The Irish Museum of Modern Art
Dublinia, Christchurch
Christchurch Cathedral
National Gallery of Ireland, Merrion Square
Viking Splash Tours
Dublin Bus Sightseeing Tours
St Stephen's Green
Temple Bar, Ireland's 'Left Bank', the centre for dining, pubs, clubs, shopping, street entertainment and the arts.
General Post Office, O'Connell St
The Old Jameson Distillery, Smithfield
The Custom House Visitor Centre, Custom House Quay
Bank of Ireland Arts Centre
Hugh Lane Dublin City Gallery, Parnell Square
Dublin Civic Museum, South William Street
Dublin Writers Museum, Parnell Square
Dublin's City Hall, Dame Street
GAA Museum, Croke Park
Government Buildings, Upper Merrion St
James Joyce Centre, North Great George's Street
National Wax Museum, Parnell Square
National Museum of Decorative Arts and History, Collins Barracks, Benburb St
Dublin Zoo, Phoenix Park
National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin
Dalkey Castle and Heritage Centre.
Rathfarnham Castle, Rathfarnham
Pearse Museum and St Enda's Park, Rathfarnham

With over 40 golf clubs in Dublin County, from links to parkland courses, the county is a haven for the golfer. Venues can be found for just about any sporting activity in Dublin, from flying to fishing or dog racing to ice skating, no sports enthusiast will be at a loss for something to do. Within a short walk of the city centre are the famous Abbey Theatre, The Peacock, The Gate, The Olympia, The Focus and The Point. There are over 20 theatres as well as dozens of cinemas in the county with pubs and clubs too numerous to mention. The National Concert Hall in Earlsfort Terrace close to St Stephen's Green is a beautiful building and Ireland's most prestigious music venue.