There’s no better place to base yourself when in Dublin, than O’Connell Street and there’s lots of Dublin hotels here. Whether you need Dublin hotels for shopping, sightseeing, a concert or business, you’ll never be far away, as O’Connell Street is located in the centre of the city - the very heartbeat of Dublin.
O’Connell Street is Dublin’s main thoroughfare and considered to be one of the widest streets in Europe. It runs through the centre of the capital from Parnell Square in the north to O’Connell Bridge in the south. (O’Connell Bridge is the only bridge in Europe which is wider than it’s length!).
O’Connell Street is a part of Dublin that is steeped in Irish history and has been the centre stage for some major events. So to get a feel for O’Connell Street you really have to understand its past.
It originated back in the 17th century and was originally named ‘Drogheda Street’ and later ‘Sackville Street’. It was in the 1916 Easter Rising that this street really came into the limelight, when it literally became a war scene as Irish Republicans fought for independence against British troops. It still bears the marks of it today - if you look closely enough at the pillars of the General Post Office (GPO) you’ll see bullet marks. It was again the scene of a battle during the Civil War in 1922.
In 1924, the street was renamed O’Connell Street after Daniel O’ Connell - a famous political leader in Ireland in the early half of the 19th century. Not only was the street called after him, but a statue was also erected in his honour and can be seen in the middle of O’Connell Street at the southern end.
One of the top historical attractions on O’Connell Street is the GPO. This building dominates O’Connell Street and you’ll recognise it by its neo-classical style exterior and its six columns. This is where the leaders of the 1916 rising had their headquarters, and if you head inside you’ll see a plaque commemorating it. Today it serves as the city’s main post office.
Probably the most striking feature on modern day O’Connell Street is The Spire. It’s the huge spike in the centre of O’Connell Street - you simply can’t miss it as it can be seen for miles around. Rising up to 393ft in height - it’s the world’s tallest sculpture!
Other famous buildings on O’Connell Street include Eason’s, the Gresham Hotel and Clery’s Department store.
O’Connell Street is lined on each side with clothes shops, fast food outlets, bars and restaurants. If shopping is on your itinerary, then you must visit Clery’s. This huge department store was opened in 1853, so it claims to be one of the oldest purpose built department stores in the world. For more shopping, just turn the corner at the ‘Spire’ into Henry Street - a haven for shoppers.
O’Connell Street is probably the best place to base yourself when in Dublin, so it’s good to know that there are Dublin hotels located here. If you want to be located on this street then check into Dublin hotels like Lynams Hotel, the 3 star Academy Hotel or the 3 star Royal Dublin Hotel. For 4 star luxury choose the Gresham Hotel - a hotel with a history dating back to 1817!
Other Dublin hotels lying just off O’Connell Street include the 3 star Cassidy’s Hotel, the 3 star Arlington Hotel, the 3 star Comfort Inn Dublin Parnell Square and the 2 star Abbey Hotel.
Remember when you choose to stay in Dublin hotels on O’Connell Street, you’ll be within walking distance of shopping areas like Grafton Street, concert venues like the Point and other attractions like Trinity College, Croke Park, Temple Bar, the Hugh Lane Gallery, the Garden of Remembrance and the Dublin Writer’s Museum to name a few.
You’ll have no problem getting to Dublin hotels located here, as O’Connell Street is served by lots of buses, the LUAS (tram), the Blue Aircoach (from Dublin Airport) and it has several taxi ranks.
Remember if you’ve any question or queries about booking Dublin hotels on or near O’Connell Street, don’t hesitate to ask by using the comment box below.
