Things to do in Killashee

Follow the signs to “Faiche Stiabhna”, as the Irish call St. Stephen’s Green, for an inner-city oasis. Admire the Victorian buildings, play soccer, throw a frisbee, watch people, jog, feed the ducks, doze or have a picnic in this popular Dublin park. You could also bring a novel written by one of Dublin’s great authors and read it at the very spot where they found their inspiration!

St. James’s Gate Brewery has been home to Guinness since 1759. The impressive building, formerly the Guinness fermentation plant, has been remodelled into the shape of a giant pint of the “black stuff”.

Ireland's most prestigious university was founded by Elizabeth I in 1592 in the hope of offering Dublin’s sons a reason to pursue their studies at home, away from the infectious threat of popery on the continent.

Among the most exclusive spots in European retail, Grafton Street is a boulevard full of upscale boutiques and restaurants. It is one of the two main commercial parts of Dublin and has an international array of big names. Yet the street retains its local charm with well-known street performers and traditional pubs. Bring cash and credit cards for a trip through the street’s upscale boutiques.

The 18th-century Dublin Castle is among the city’s most iconic sites. A small park with pretty floral displays lies behind the castle, which replaced a 13th-century Viking military fortress. Learn its fascinating history as the seat of British and Irish governments over the centuries.

O’Connell Street is among Dublin’s busiest and recognizable parts. It consists of a wide boulevard divided by spaces for trees and works of art. Admire the many historic buildings and peruse the upscale boutiques that line this busy street.

The largest church in Ireland is St. Patrick’s Cathedral, on a site with a church since the 800s. Although it has status as the national cathedral, it is not the seat of the bishop because Dublin has two cathedrals. Marvel at the 101-foot (31-meter) granite spire atop the 147-foot (45-meter) Minot’s Tower. The present building was constructed in 1220.

The university quickly established a reputation for attracting the best students and faculty in the country, including Fr. Gerald Manley Hopkins and writer James Joyce, becoming one of the most well-respected centres of learning in Europe.