Walking Tour of Dublin, Ireland

 

     The capital and largest city in Ireland is like the Irish people, fun-loving and friendly. The compact city center is pleasant to stroll and wander. Shopping for those hand-made items that have made Irish goods famous around the world is also easy and accessible via my walking tour.

 

     My walk begins at Christ Church Place, at the intersection of High Street and Bride Street, the home of the famous Christ Church Cathedral, one of Ireland’s greatest religious buildings.

     After the visit, walk west on High Street, the oldest part of the city. Ahead is St Audean’s Church, sitting next to the only gate of the orginal City Walls which still survives. Note that there is another St Audean’s Church (this one is Roman Catholic) on Kornmarket Street, further to the west.

     Continue westward and then take a left on Crane Street to visit the Guiness Brewery Hop Store/Visitor Centre for an interesting look at how the famous brew is concocted.

     Now continue south on Crane Street, and then left on School Street, then right on Marrowbone and bear left at Pimlico. Now turn left on The Coombe and left again on Patrick Street which leads to Patrick’s Close. Here you will find St Patrick’s Cathedral, which dates to 1190 AD. Jonathan Swift, once a Dean at the church, is buried here. St Patrick’s is Ireland’s National Cathedral and St Patrick, of course, is the country’s patron saint.

     Next, walk north (right as you leave the church) on Patrick Street and then turn right on Bull Alley which becomes Golden Lane. Next, turn right on Whitefriar Street and then left on York Street to get to St Stephen’s Green, a lovely park where you can enjoy a casual stroll.

     Leave the park on St Stephen West and turn right. Ahead, this road becomes Grafton Street which contains many shops which you can browse through along the way. Grafton eventually brings you to Trinity College, on your right. Trinity is not only the oldest university in Ireland (1592) but its Old Library displays the famous Book of Kells, an 8th century religious manuscript. Wander through the college grounds, enjoying the gardens, quaint cobble stone squares, and classic buildings.

     When you leave Trinity College, turn right on Grafton to Westmoreland, past the Dublin Stock Exchange and the Old Parliament House, now the Bank of Ireland, on your left. Now, cross the Liffey River on the O’Connell Bridge and continue north on O’Connell Street. The General Post Office, an impressive building ahead on the left, was once the headquarters of the Irish Volunteers, a rebel group which was besieged here in 1916. O’Connell Street ends at Parnell Square. Walk down either Parnell Square East or West to access the Garden of Remembrance. Take a stroll around the picturesque grounds.

     Now retrace your steps on O’Connell Street and then turn right on Henry Street, then left on Liffey Street. Walk across the Halfpenny Bridge and then turn right, then bear left onto Temple Bar. Stroll the interesting "left bank" area and its art galleries, shops, etc.

     Next, turn left on Eustace Street and then right on Dame Street, past the City Hall, then left on Palace Street to Dublin Castle. Wander around the grounds of the castle, being sure to check out the Chapel Royal, the Record Tower, and the State Apartments.  

     Leave the castle and turn left on Dame Street which becomes Lord Edward Street before reaching Christ Church Place, where the walking tour began.