A Cultural Day in Dublin

Dublin is steeped in culture and there are countless ways to spend your day in the city taking in the many great museums, galleries, monuments and historical sites. Start your day with a delicious hot breakfast cooked to order in Francesca’s at Brooks. 

 

It’s a little-known fact that just 5-minute walk from Brooks you will find the remains of the patron Saint of love, St. Valentine. Our front desk team will be more than happy to point you in the right direction to explore this hidden gem. https://carmelites.ie/the-shrine-of-saint-valentine/ 

 

From here make your way to the beautiful grounds of Dublin’s famous Christ Church Cathedral, it’s about a 7-10 minute walk from White Friar Street. Christ Church Cathedral is the spiritual heart of the city, and one of the top visitor attractions in Dublin. Step inside and you can enjoy the cathedral’s beautiful interior and fascinating medieval crypt. There’s so much to see and discover at Christ Church Cathedral. Guided tours of the cathedral, which now all incorporate the belfry, take place at 11.00am, 12.10pm, 2.00pm, 3.00pm and 4.00pm Monday – Friday and 2.00pm, 3.00pm and 4.00pm on Saturday. They give a great insight into the history of the cathedral, and the different people involved in the life of Christ Church. All weekday guided tours also give you the opportunity to visit the belfry and ring the bells of Christ Church Cathedral yourself! http://christchurchcathedral.ie/ 

 

A short distance away you will reach Dublin Castle. Since its foundation in 1204 Dublin Castle has been at the heart of the history and evolution of the city. Today, spanning an area of over 44,000 square meters, the site contains 2 museums, 2 cafés, an international conference centre, 2 gardens and government buildings which are the most important state rooms in the country. The grounds of the site are free to explore, as is the Chester Beatty Library and the Revenue Museum. Access to the State Apartments is by guided tour only and tickets may be purchased from the apartments in the Upper Castle Yard. Weather permitting, enjoy a lunchtime picnic in the gardens on the grounds otherwise choose from the extensive lunch menu in one of their cafes. http://www.dublincastle.ie/

 

After you have refuelled with lunch make your way to The Little Museum of Ireland situated on St. Stephen’s Green. Described as “Dublin’s best museum experience” by The Irish Times, it is ranked the number one museum in Ireland on TripAdvisor. A brilliant new addition to the cultural map of Ireland, their famous guided tours reveal the history of a city that has undergone remarkable changes in the last 100 years, from the visit of Queen Victoria to the global success of U2. http://www.littlemuseum.ie/ 

 

Nearby in Merrion Square, you will find the National Museum of Ireland which is home to many great exhibitions. Free tours of the permanent collection take place every Saturday at 12.30pm and every Sunday at 11.30am, 12.30pm and 1.30pm. Special tours are regularly scheduled to coincide with holidays and special events, just ask our concierge or our front desk team to check this out for you in advance.http://www.museum.ie/Home

 

After your busy day, why not, stroll back to Brooks for a delicious meal in Francesca’s Restaurant. After dinner visit the National Concert Hall on Earlsfort Terrace. This stunning building is a must for lovers of music and the arts. Visitors are inspired by performances from world class artists on their stages almost nightly. 

 

Make your way back to Brooks to wind down with a nightcap in Jasmine Bar. Jasmine Bar is a member of ‘Great Whiskey Bars of the World’ with over 120 different whiskeys from 33 different countries to choose from. 

 

As you can see, Dublin in steeped in culture! Other worthwhile cultural suggestions include a trip to: 

• Kilmainham Gaol

• 1916 Rise of the Rebels Historic Bus Tour Dublin

• Jameson Distillery

• Croke Park

• St. Patricks Cathedral

• Dublinia