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Built by Thomas Cooley between 1769 and 1779, the building was originally designed to be the Royal Exchange, but political events led to a change of usage in the mid-19th century. Built of Portland stone, with a magnificent Rotunda entrance hall, it is an outstanding example of Neo-Classical style.

Only the second pedestrian bridge to cross the Liffey, its simple lines perfectly complement its more famous and more ornate companion, the Ha’Penny Bridge. Designed by architects Howley Harrington, the bridge is intended to increase links between shopping areas north and south of the Liffey.

A formal entry point to the area, the arch dates from the days when ships sailed right up the Liffey to dock and trade here with the local merchants.

Named after a Quaker Meeting Hall, this is the centre of Temple Bar. It is the venue for concerts, outdoor film screenings, and the Saturday food market. Café tables, spilling out onto the street from minute interiors, all add to the atmosphere.

Temple Bar, the site of Ireland’s first urban “Green Building”, is an innovative centre of eco-design and green lifestyle. Typical of this ethos is Cultivate, a sustainable living centre with a fair trade shop, bookshop café and busy calendar of events. In April/May, they host the Convergence festival with film, exhibits, theatre and talks by leading environmental thinkers. A “green map” of Temple Bar is available at www.sustainable.ie.

This smart pedestrian street has designer boutiques and chic coffee bars. A Saturday market here sells Irish design and fashion items. (In winter, stalls are in the church at the end of the street.)

This contemporary space runs excellent exhibitions by Irish and international photographers. There are often photography courses and dark rooms to hire.

This archive houses more than 300,000 photographs from the National Library. The changing exhibitions range from social and political history, to landscapes and postcards.

This modern art centre, begun in 1966 as an artist-led co-operative, has gained an international reputation for avant-garde theatre, dance, music, film and art.

Housing the offices of independent film organizations, a lively bar and restaurant, and two screens, the IFI was one of the first major cultural projects in Temple Bar. The eclectic program focuses on cult and international film.