Monday, May 23, 2011

Dublin Provides Visitors Countless Occasions for Relaxation

By Harry J. Maguire


Dublin in Ireland is a great place to visit for a holiday, a weekend break, shopping or to do business. It is a fun place also with lots of pubs, clubs, restaurants and music venues throughout the city. But here are some more unusual things to do when in Dublin.

The No.1 visitor attraction in Dublin is The Guinness Storehouse which is also known as The Guinness Hopstore. From the early twentieth century this is where the hops were fermented and Guinness was brewed and this continued until recently when the building was converted to a visitor centre. Now visitors can see exhibitions of the brewing process, experience the tasting lab, view videos, make purchases of memorabilia and merchandise (T-shirts, caps etc), have a drink in the bar or eat in the restaurant.

Shelbourne Park and Harolds Cross are Dublin's two Greyhound Racing stadiums. There is racing every night at either or both of these stadiums. Nowadays a night at the dogs is not just about greyhound racing. It usually involves drinks, dining and general fun and merriment as well as having a few bets.

If you're a golfer you will be spoilt for choice in Dublin as there are more than fifty golf courses in Dublin and its surroundings. Many of these are eighteen-hole championship courses but for the less experienced player there are numerous nine-hole courses and pitch and putt venues. Among the best golf clubs in the Dublin area are Royal Dublin, Portmarnock, Woodbrook, The K-Club and Druids Glen.

The Book of Kells is one of the world's best known illuminated manuscripts from the eighth or ninth century. It contains the four Christian Gospels written in Latin in by monks in fine calligraphy and illustrated in bright ornamental lettering and Celtic art. It is on view to the public at Trinity College in the city centre.

Gaelic Football and Hurling are Ireland's national games and also the most popular. The year's activity culminates in The All-Ireland Finals which are played every September in Croke Park in Dublin. Croke Park is Ireland's premier GAA stadium and has a capacity of more than 80,000. Hurling is a bit like hockey but much faster and more robust and it is considered by many to be one of the most skillful games in the world. Tickets for the All-Ireland Finals are like gold dust and any visitor who can get one should not miss the chance.

The recently opened Aviva Stadium is the home of International Rugby and Soccer Matches. Built on the grounds of the old Lansdowne Road Stadium, this modern facility has been highly praised. Ireland's home matches in the European and World Cup are played there and in rugby the home matches of the Triple Crown and Five Nations Championship are held there.

Dublin's Art Galleries and Museums are among the most popular destinations for visitors to the city. There are numerous small galleries and collections but the most important are probably The National Gallery, The Hugh Lane Gallery and The Irish Museum of Modern Art. Together, these galleries house many important works by famous Irish and European artists including Rembrandt, Caravaggio, Renoir, Monet, Jack B. Yeats and Paul Henry, to name just a few.




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