This vibrant, fun-loving city on the River Liffey is full of atmospheric pubs where the craic is spun with a well-polished finish and the streets echo with the ghosts of artistic luminaries such as James Joyce and W B Yeats. Visit between April and October, when the weather is at its best, with July and August the busiest months, or throughout the year for the numerous festivals, cultural and religious events and sporting fixtures.

Sightseeing highlights include the early medieval Christchurch Cathedral (Dublin’s oldest building), the cobbled streets of Temple Bar, Phoenix Park (Europe’s largest urban park), the National Gallery of Ireland and the treasures of the National Museum of Ireland, containing Europe’s finest collection of prehistoric gold artefacts. A plethora of buildings and museums (including Trinity College, Ireland’s oldest university, and the Guinness Storehouse) convey a real sense of living history.

Indeed, it is this living history, present in the media of music and literature, which has brought Dublin such international acclaim. In the 20th century, a string of poets and writers immortalised the city, none more so than James Joyce whose seminal Ulysses (1922), which depicts one day in Dublin, is considered by many literary critics to be the greatest novel of that century.

But things have not always been so rosy for this thousand-year-old city on the east coast of Ireland. For much of the first half of the 20th century, strife and unrest tore Dublin apart as it was involved in a messy and violent divorce from Britain.

Today’s new Dublin, the ‘capital of Euro-cool’, continues to boom, and boasts one of the youngest populations in Europe, who frequent its funky bars, sophisticated restaurants and rebuilt city streets.

However, despite the recent changes, the city and its people have remained the same. Alongside trend-setting bars, clubs and designer shops it is still possible to find quiet, traditional pubs, nostalgic museums and busking fiddlers in Temple Bar, even horse-drawn carts clip-clopping along cobbled streets. It is a fascinating blend of tradition and contemporary Irish life. No wonder, in Dublin today, Irish eyes are well and truly smiling.

Whatever you think you know about Irish literature, you’re sure to find something to astound and delight you at the Dublin Writers Museum. Did you know, for example, that Oscar Wilde was a promising pugilist during his days at Trinity College, and that Samuel Beckett, had he not turned out to be one of the most influential writers of the twentieth century, would also have made a name for himself in the TCD cricket first eleven ?

The building, a restored Georgian mansion on Parnell Square, is a treasure in itself. The sumptuous plasterwork in the first floor Gallery of Writers is worth a visit alone.

Temporary exhibitions and lunchtime theatre, a specialist bookshop, and a café make this compact and informative Museum all the more appealing to anyone interested in discovering more about Dublin’s immense literary heritage.

Opening Times

January to December incl: Monday - Saturday 10.00am - 5.00pm
Sunday and Public Holidays: 11.00am - 5.00pm.

Late opening June, July and August: Monday - Friday 10.00am - 6.00pm.

Ticket Prices

Adults: €7.25 (Group rates €6.25)
Concessions:  €6.10 (Group rates €5.10)
Child: €4.55 (Group rates €3.55)
Family: €21.00

Combined tickets available with either the James Joyce Museum and The Shaw Birthplace.

Adults: €12.50 (Group rate €11.50)
Concession: €10.30 ((Group rate €9.30)
Child: €7.70 (Group rate €6.70)
Family: €35.50

The GAA Museum, situated under the Cusack Stand in Croke Park, was first opened in September 1998 by An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.  The GAA Museum looks at the birth and growth of the GAA at home and abroad, and its unique role in the national movement and cultural revival in Ireland.

The National Gallery has added a new extension to the old, original building, in the last few years. With this extension they have added a number of new wings, and there are a number of exhibitions & tours for each different wing and room in the gallery.

The Gallery is open year round, with the exception of Good Friday and the Christmas period. Admission is free.

It presents a wide variety of art and artists a fantastic range of exhibitions and guided tours. It has excellent facilities including a bookshop, coffee shop, it also caters for conference and banqueting facilities and is open Tuesday – Sunday, all year (except the Christmas period).

Combining delicious dishes from Old Mexico with a variety of contemporary cuisine, Cactus Jacks is a popular spot in Dublin’s city centre.

A combination of the tantalising and affordable meals, and attractive terraced seating (at the front of the restaurant) has ensured  a loyal customer fan base.

Their lunch menu is especially good value, offering a nice selection of Mexican food from Tacos, Burritos , Enchiladas and Quesadillas as well as great range of Beef and Chicken Burgers. Most items on the lunch menu are available for under €10, with the most expensive item - the chargrilled king prawn skewers - coming in at €14.95.

All sorts of delights may be enjoyed such as salmon steaks, lasagnes, crab cakes with a mass of side orders available. Cactus Jacks is a family run business with the emphasis on creativity, combining consistency in food quality with wonderfully presented meals.

Customers can experience the ambience of Mexico at Cactus Jacks whilst enjoying a thorough selection of delicious cuisine!

Opening Hours:Mon-Sun (Lunch) 12pm-5pm
Dinner - Last Orders 5pm-10pm Sun-Thurs, Fri-Sat 5pm-11pm

Cactus Jacks
Millennium Walkway
Middle Abbey Street

Mona Lisa is located on D’Olier Street in the city centre, directly opposite Trinity College. This Dublin restaurant has a spacious and modern layout over two levels blending subtly intimate dining areas with large party dining.

Its location - along with its tasty good quality food, ongoing special offers, relaxed atmosphere and overall value for money - makes Mona Lisa a big favourite with tourists, students and hungry shoppers alike.

The Al A Carte menu offers a variety of affordable meal options. Diners can choose from pizza, pasta and salads, or opt for something a little less traditionally Italian - such as beer-battered cod, Bishop’s Finger steak pie (made with Bishop’s Finger ale) or Irish Steak - from as little as €8.75. Most main courses cost between €10 - €16 (for the more indulgent diner, the Irish Hereford Fillet Steak,€24.95, is the most expensive item on the menu by some way). There is also a decent wine list, starting at €15.95 for the house wines.
To see the full Al A Carte menu, Click Here .

However, Mona Lisa is probably best known for its special offers. In particular, its Early Bird special - buy any pizza or pasta from the Al A Carte menu and get one free - is a great deal for anyone who looking to share a good meal with friends. It’s especially popular with broke students on romantic nights out!

Don’t worry if you miss the 18:30 deadline on the early-bird deal though, as Mona Lisa as offers two other special value deals. Students can take advantage of  the Student Special (Sunday - Tuesday from 18:30) - €9.99 for any pizza or pasta and a pint of Stella, on production of student ID. And for those of us without a student card, the very affordable Big Menu Deal offers a starter, main course and dessert for €19.99. Click Here to see the full menu.

We recommends Mona Lisa if you’re looking for an inexpensive but good-quality, delicious meal in nice surrounding in the heart of Dublin. They also get bonus points for offering free soft-drink top-ups for designated drivers!

Mona Lisa Bistro,
16a D’Olier Street,
Dublin 2.
Tel: +353 (1) 677 0499

With its dark oak walls and rich splashes of gold, the room has an intimate but lively feel.

Chef John Mooney features the finest in local steak and seafood, modernised to create a contemporary menu tailored to the way we dine today. Get closer to the action in the sleek, spectacular Oyster Bar. Sip the finest vintage Champagnes while their experienced team prepare the freshest oysters available from West Clare, Carlingford, Galway and French Claire.

The Saddle Room is a departure from the often stuffy atmosphere of hotel restaurants.  The casual but sophisticated design, modern menu and savvy service create an atmosphere that is comfortable, cosy, fun and appeals to everyone. Here, memorable nights and perfect get-togethers come naturally.

Opening times

Breakfast
07:00-10.30 (Monday - Saturday)
07:00 -11:00 (Sunday)

Lunch
12:00-14:00 (Monday - Sunday)

Dinner
18:00-22:00 (Monday - Sunday)

For more information on the Saddle Room and the Shelbourne Hotel, Click Here

The Saddle Room
The Shelbourne Hotel
27 St Stephen’s Green
Dublin 2
Phone: + 353 1 6634500
Fax:  + 353 1 6616006

Courtville Antiques is an ultrasophisticated Dublin jewellers stocking stunning antique jewellery and specialising in diamond engagement rings. This luxurious jewellers was established in 1964 in Tipperary Town by Catherine Pierse.

Courtville Antiques is a family run business and was transferred to Powerscourt Shopping Centre in 1981 by Catherine’s daughter, Grainne Pierse. After completing a degree in Fine Arts & Languages in Trinity College, Dublin, Grainne spent six years working in London in the Antiques trade before returning to Dublin.

Grainne’s focus on pretty and wearable antique and art deco jewellery has made Courtville Antiques a very popular Dublin jewellery store. Victorian Jewellery and Pearl chokers with antique diamond and precious stone clasps are a major feature of Courtville Antiques. Rare and delicate pieces of Edwardian enamel jewellery can also be found at Courtville.

Diamond engagement rings are a prominent feature in this Dublin’s jewellers. Courtville Antiques carry unusual and highly fashionable diamond cuts known as Asscher cuts. The “Asscher cut diamond” was developed in 1902 by the Asscher Brothers of Holland.

Recently the Asscher Cut has gained rapid popularity after many Hollywood stars such as Kate Hudson receiving Asscher-cuts as engagement rings. Asscher-cuts was also featured on popular sitcom, “Sex and The City”.

Courtville Antiques offers a design and custom made service for those really special pieces that you want to ensure are designed to your taste and are unique. Visit the Courtville Antiques website for more info and images on the spectacular jewellery in stock.

Courtville Antiques
Powerscourt Townhouse,
South William Street,
Dublin 2,
Ireland.
Tel:+353 (1) 6794042

Sophisticated white suits from Karen Millen are dramatically reduced from €410 to €280. As white is the colour for the summer season, fashionistas will be very happy with this. For cutting-edge sophistication, visit the Inspire section at Clerys where premier brands including Noa Noa, Inwear and B young are all offering 30% off. The lingerie department are offering Calvin Klein and Mexx lingerie at half price.

The Accessory Collection is offering undeniably brillant bargains. The extensive selection of bags on sale will be reduced by 20%. Brands such as Billybag and Liz Claiborne can now be enjoyed at reduced prices. Sunglass Hut also has a knock down reduction on top labels such as Ray Ban, Versace, Vogue, DKNY and Oakley in all shades and colours.

Discerning gentlemen will be spoilt for choice with the bargains that can be found in the menswear department. Suits by Carl Gross and Van Gils that were €399 are now only €250, while those looking for something a little more relaxed, will find it hard to resist the 20% off leading brand names such as GAS, YSL and Marlboro Classics.

Further hot offers are to be had in the Children’s department where numerous reductions of 30% off are to be found on brands including Mayoral, Dodipetto and Naf Naf.

Homeware have massive sales including Denby reducing their summer barbeques by 20% and Venice 12 piece glassware costing only €12.

With Clerys open late night Thursday, Friday and from 12-6pm on Sunday, there is plenty of opportunity to get your hands on some hot summer sale offers.

Opening Hours (O’Connell St.):
Mon-Wed/Sat: 9am-6.30pm
Thurs: 9am-9pm
Fri: 9am-8pm
Sunday:12-6pm

Clerys,
18-27 Lower O’Connell St.,
Dublin 1.
Tel.: 01-8786000