Dublin: History, Cultural Treasures and Green Spaces

Dublin combines a long history with remarkable cultural treasures and extensive green spaces. When planning your trip, you can choose from a range of highlights: the history of Dublin Castle, the treasures of the National Museum of Ireland, the Book of Kells or natural places such as Phoenix Park and North Bull Island. Which holiday apartment in Dublin is right for you also depends on which of these sides of the city you would like to focus on during your stay.

City History and Treasures in the Museum

The history of Dublin Castle dates back to the Viking Age; the castle was built in the 13th century. The building served as a military fortress, prison, treasury and courthouse. These different functions give an impression of how many roles a single building could take on over the course of its history. Anyone interested in Dublin’s past will find a clear point of focus here, alongside the museum’s collections and the historical holdings of Trinity College.

The National Museum of Ireland on Kildare Street is in the heart of Dublin city centre. Treasures housed there include the Ardagh Chalice, the Tara Brooch and the Derrynaflan Hoard. These specific historical objects are at the heart of a visit to the museum. Throughout the year, the museum offers workshops, talks and guided tours for all age groups. For families who want to experience culture together, this range of formats is a helpful guide; it includes both educational activities and tours.

Book of Kells and Trinity College

Trinity College Dublin was founded in 1592. Its Old Library Building houses the Book of Kells, a precious 9th-century manuscript containing the four Gospels of the New Testament. The Book of Kells Experience combines the manuscript with a digital exhibition in the Pavilion beside the Old Library. Anyone interested in manuscripts and their history can explore a significant individual manuscript and a digital exhibition as distinct parts of the visit.

The Long Room is another of Trinity College’s notable historic collections: it houses 250,000 of Ireland’s oldest books and historical documents. The Trinity Trails Walking Tours were led by knowledgeable student and former student guides. A 45-minute trail starts at the Bell Tower and leads to hidden places within Trinity College. This makes it possible to distinguish between a focus on the book collections and another on the history and places of the college. These details can help you define your cultural interests for your trip to Dublin more clearly.

Green Spaces and Getting Around

Phoenix Park is one of the largest walled public parks in a European capital. North Bull Island is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in Dublin. Both places add a nature perspective to the choice of travel experiences, while the museum, castle and Trinity College appeal to historical and cultural interests. When looking for accommodation, you can consider how much emphasis you want to place on these different themes during your trip, without limiting your stay to just one side of Dublin.

Dublin Bus No. 99 runs between the Parkgate Street stop and the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre every 30 minutes daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Parkgate Street stop is near Heuston railway station and the Luas Red Line tram. These specific details are particularly useful for getting around the stop and the bus route mentioned. They also provide a practical reference point if Phoenix Park is part of your travel plans. When choosing a holiday apartment, you can weigh up your planned interests and the places that matter to you.

More local pages: Ballymun. Rathgar, Oldtown, Ranelagh, Glasnevin, Tallaght, Foxrock and Carmanhall.

For the main travel overview: Dublin.