DK Travel : Dublin

One of the most popular capitals in Europe, Dublin is a city steeped in history. Huddled together within a small vicinity you’ll find Viking remains, medieval cathedrals and churches, Georgian squares and excellent museums. But it’s not just about buildings – music, theatre, literature and pubs play just as strong a part in Dublin’s atmosphere. These highlights are the must-sees for any visitor who wants to truly capture the variety and vibrancy of the city.

Cliffs of Moher

Five miles (8 km) of sheer cliffs rising as much as 650 ft (200 m) up from the pounding Atlantic, this is one of Europe’s grandest stretches of coastline. Take the cliff-edge footpath round to O’Brien’s Tower, which gives a stunning view.
Clonmacnoise

This early Christian site, founded by St Ciaran in the 6th century, draws tourists into Ireland’s often neglected Midlands. The grounds are atmospheric, especially on a grey Irish day, and include the ruins of a cathedral, eight churches (10th–13th-centuries), two round towers, three high crosses and dozens of early Christian grave slabs. The visitors’ centre offers an audio-visual show and exhibitions.
Club Anabel

This popular nightclub is located at the Burlington Hotel and attracts an older business crowd eager to unwind. The tourists from the Burlington add to the odd atmosphere, to make a club with many layers and cultures to appreciate.
Club M

A Temple Bar institution, at the Blooms Hotel. There’s a VIP lounge of some repute, great music and an interesting laser light system to add to the fun.
Cobh

Pronounced “Cove”, this 19th-century town boasts one of the world’s largest natural harbours. In its heyday, the town was a major commercial seaport as well as being the stop-over port for luxury passenger liners, including the Sirius, which made her maiden voyage from here. Cobh was also the last port of call for the Titanic before she sailed to her tragic end. The Queens-town Story is an interesting exhibition detailing the town’s maritime history. Particularly poignant is the section on the part Cobh played in the transportation of convicts to Australia in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Colm Toibin

Toibin (b.1955) was short-listed for the 2000 Booker Prize with his novel Blackwater Lightship (1999).
Colours Boat Race

Crowds flock to the Liffey as Trinity and University College Dublin compete in the age-old rivalry of a rowing race between O’Connell Bridge and Sean Heuston Bridge, The tiny Ha’Penny Bridge fills with spectators.
Cong Abbey

Poised on the narrow strip between Lough Corrib and Lough Mask, the attractive village of Cong lies just across the Galway border in County Mayo. Cong Abbey was an important Augustinian community founded by the King of Connacht in 1128 and became a leading spiritual centre. Closed down during the Reformation, it fell into ruin. What survives remains majestic; the cloisters have been partly reconstructed.
Connemara National Park and Twelve Bens Mountains

Extending from Letterfrack village to the Twelve Bens, the park is a 5,000-acre conservation area of heath, bog and hills encompassing the grandest of Connemara’s landscapes. The Twelve Bens, a dozen high peaks rising from the heart of the western mountains, dominate the Connemara skyline. A visitors’ centre near the park entrance has a permanent exhibition on the flora, fauna, geology and history of the region.
Conrad International

This recently refurbished and comfortable modern hotel is conveniently situated just around the corner from St Stephen’s Green.

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