When you visit Dublin you can’t but wonder just how many historic sites this great city has. With every turn there is something to admired and explore. Dublin really has an abundance of historic sites that can be found dotted throughout the city and surrounding areas. In the following article we take a look at just a selection of some of Dublin’s many historic sites that call Dublin home…

Dublin Castle

Dublin Castle is located in the oldest quarter of Dublin city in the Christchurch area. The original castle was first built by King John of England as a defensive structure and it was the head of British rule in Ireland until about 1922. Dublin Castle has played many roles in Irish history including the disappearance of the Irish Crown Jewels in 1907, to state ceremonials and inaugurations!

Today the castle is one of Dublin’s top visitor attractions and continues to host many EU meetings and concerts. Dublin Castle is also home to The Chester Beatty Library.

Dublinia and The Viking World

Dublinia and The Viking World is a fantastic heritage centre located next to Christchurch Cathedral in the heart of Dublin City Centre. Step back in time when you visit this interactive exhibition that tells the tail of Medieval Dublin when Vikings ruled the city, in a fun and entertaining way. Attracting huge visitor numbers per year the figures speak for themselves.

Dublin City Hall - The Story of the Capital

Come on an exciting multimedia tour and exhibition that traces the progression of Dublin City. With period costumes, manuscripts, video and interactive computers, this one hour tour of Dublin City Hall is sure to capture your imagination, and take you back in time to Dublin’s colourful history.

Located at the top of Parliament Street on the southern side of the city beside Dublin Castle, a visit to Dublin City Hall comes highly recommended.

Natural History Museum - Moved to Collins Barracks.

Please note: The Natural History Museum in Merion Street, Dublin 2, is currently closed to the public, there is however a Natural History exhibition called ‘The Dead Zoo At Large’ which is on display in Collins Barracks in the meantime. Built in 1702, Collins Barracks was formerly a military barracks in the Arbour Hill area of Dublin.

Today Collins Barracks is home to the National Museum of Ireland, Decorative Arts and History and ‘The Dead Zoo at Large’ exhibition.

The museum showcases a huge range of zoological collections. From butterflys to an elephant skeliton, you name it, your eyes will be wide with delight at the colourful exhibits on show here. You could spend hours inside reading all the information about various species dating back to 1856, some of which are extent today!

Kilmainham Gaol

Kilmainham Gaol is a former prison and National Monument located on Inchicore Road in Kilmainham Dublin 8. Kilmainham Gaol has played an important role in Irish history, many leaders of Irish rebellions were imprisoned and some executed within the prison walls.

It was extensively renovated in the 1960′s by a group of volunteers and re-opened as a museum by a former inmate and then President of Ireland, Mr. Eamonn de Valera, on the 50th Anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising.

Kilmainham Gaol has featured in many movie scenes. ‘In the Name of the Father’, ‘Michael Collins’ and ‘The Italian Job’ were all filmed here.

The prison has a dark history that tells stories of executions, torture and injustice. Access to Kilmainham Gaol is strictly by guided tour only. The duration of the tour is approximately 1 hour.

Trinity College Dublin

Trinity College is a major landmark located in the city centre. Once a place for only the elite in Irish Society, today its doors are open to everyone! Founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth and some of its most famous graduates, including Oliver Goldsmith and Samuel Beckett. The main attractions at Trinity College include The Old Library and The Book Of Kells.

There are many reminders of times past in the City once called ‘Dubh Linn’ with its magnificent churches, historic buildings, museums, monuments, gardens and city streets. So come on, visit the city on the Liffey called Dublin and explore its many historic sites.

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Have you visited any of the above historic sites of Dublin? Perhaps you would like to add other suggestions to the list? Please feel free to share your comments with our readers. Thank you.