DK Travel : Dublin : Places of interest

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National Museum of Ireland

Only two of the museum’s three sights are south of the river: the Natural History Museum and the branch on Kildare Street which examines Irish archaeology and history. The latter’s 19th-century building is almost as impressive as its collections, decorated with marble and mosaics.
National Stud

Visitors can tour this state-run bloodstock farm to learn about the breeding and training of these fine racehorses. The museum charts the development of the stud since its establishment by Colonel Hall Walker in 1900. Also within the estate are the beautiful Japanese Gardens, laid out between 1906–10 by Hall Walker and two Japanese gardeners to represent the “life of man”. St Fiachra’s Garden was created to mark the Millennium, named after a 6th-century monk with a love of gardening.
Newbridge Demesne

A must for architecture fans, this attractive house lies north of Dublin at the seaside village of Donabate. The house was designed for Archbishop Charles Cobbe in 1737 by George Semple – the Cobbe family still live in the upper half of the house although the council bought it from them in the 1980s. Rooms include the beautifully preserved Red Drawing Room, the huge kitchen and the Museum of Curiosities.
Newgrange and the Boyne Valley

Newgrange is one of the most significant passage graves in Europe but its origins are shrouded in mystery. Celtic legend tells that the Kings of Tara are buried here but New-grange was certainly constructed earlier. All visitors must pass through the excellent Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre and join a tour. Brú na Bóinne (“Palace of the Boyne”) is the Irish name for the area, considered to be the origin of Irish civilization. Anyone with an interest in archaeology will find the Boyne Valley fascinating – its Hills of Tara and Slane also feature in Celtic mythology.
Old Midleton Distillery

An excellent audio-visual presentation of the story of Irish whiskey, with a tour of the still houses, granaries, mills and maltings, and a highly popular whiskey tasting.
Oughterard

On the shores of Lough Corrib, this village has become a small resort area. Its chief prize, however, is Aughnanure Castle, beside the lake – a handsome remnant of a 16th-century tower-house of the O’Flaherties, the Connacht clan who terrified the ruling Anglo-Norman families of Galway.
Parke’s Castle

Built by a Captain Robert Parke in 1609, and overlooking Lough Gill, this fortified manor house was erected on the site of an earlier tower house. The foundations and moat of this earlier structure are incorporated into the castle but otherwise it is a fine example of a plantation house. You can visit the castle by road or by boat on the Lough Gill cruise.
Passage East

A small, enjoyable ferry runs to-and-fro across Waterford Harbour from this unassuming waterside village. Its peaceful, scenic setting and handful of painted cottages make a pleasant break while waiting for the boat. It was at this spot that the Normans arrived in Ireland in 1170 and their sturdy stone tower still stands guard over the harbour.
Phoenix Park

There is enough to see within this vast park to keep the visitor busy for a whole day. The zoo is one of the main attractions, and Áras an Uachtaráin provides the official home to the President of Ireland.
Powerscourt Estate

Five minutes from the pretty village of Enniskerry, Powerscourt Estate is a magnificent spot. The visitor approaches the house down a long beech-lined avenue with beautiful views across the valley. The house, designed by Richard Cassels in the 1730s, was gutted by fire in 1974, but a small exhibition gives the “before and after” story of its reconstruction. The main part of the house is now given over to an up-market shop (see Greater Dublin) and large restaurant. The gardens are spread over a steep slope looking across to Sugar Loaf Mountain; steps lead down to a lake, where a Triton fountain hurls water high into the air.

Powerscourt