Tour of Dublin

Norman Vikings were the first settlers in Dublin with evidence of the first settlements dating back to the second century. Old walls and buildings have been uncovered on the first site (Wood Quay) in the present City Centre. The Norman name for the town was Eblana. The town was fought over for many centuries with the Danes taking control in the 9th Century. The Irish temporarily displaced the Danes in 1052,1075 and 1124. In 1171, the Danes were finally expelled for good by the Anglo-Normans led by Henry II, king of England.

Until the middle of the 17th Century, Dublin remained a small, walled medieval town. The victor of the English Civil War (Oliver Cromwell) took control of Dublin in 1649. The town of only 9000 residents at that time, began to grow dramatically with Protestant refugees from European countries settling in the area. Over the following century, Dublin grew dramatically, becoming the second city of the British Empire.

The Act of Union between England and Ireland in 1800 abolished the Irish Parliament, this drastically reducing Dublin's status. With the wealth of the city declining over the following century, Irish Republicans led by James Connolly and Patrick Pearse began plotting to gain control of Ireland in 1916. The bloody battle that broke out between Republicans and British troops Easter 1916 ended with Connolly, Pearse and their top men imprisoned. Although the Republicans had little support of Dubliner's at that time, the execution of Connolly, Pearse and 12 of their men by firing squad led to the Republican movement gaining a massif increase in support, in Ireland and America. This extra support and finance led to the War of Independence with Ireland achieving independence in 1922.

Flight times between Prestwick and Dublin are about 30 minutes with Dublin Airport being about a 30 minute coach ride from Dublin centre. Aircoach provide a good service with luxury coaches waiting outside the main terminal. Just pay the driver about £5 single or £8 return then you are on your way to Dublin, there are always coaches waiting. The driver announces each stop in Dublin with information on what top hotels that stop is close to. Returning to the airport, just go back to the stop you got off at and wait for one of the coaches that run about every 15 - 20 minutes.

Dublin Bus is a coach tour company that provides Hop on Hop off buses that run throughout the day to all Dublin's main attractions, price about adult €12.5 children €6.00. The drivers give a running commentary on each of Dublin's attractions with their great sense of humour. Dublin Bus also offer coach trips to the North Coast and Malhaide Castle as well as to the South Coast and Powerscourt Estate. There are also Ghost Tours available. Just purchase a ticket at any of their bus stops or at the ticket office on O'Connell Street, close to the Spire. The buses also pick up from many of the larger hotels in the mornings.

Viator Rail Tours can be taken from Dublin to some of Irelands main tourist attractions such as Blarney Castle, Cork and the Queenstown Story where most of the Irish emigrants departed from. Another top tour is to Galway and the incredible Cliffs of Moher. Each tour departs Dublin Heuston Station with coaches waiting at the other station to complete the tour. Simply book online then arrive at Dublin Heuston Station on the date/time, the Tour Guide will be waiting for you at the station with seats reserved on the train. Although these tours may seem a bit expensive, you soon realize you are getting a lot of tour for the money.

The 396 feet high Dublin Spire situated in the city centre on O'Connell Street is now Dublin's most noticeable Landmark. The Dublin Spire was the winning entry in an architectural competition to provide a replacement for Nelson's Pillar which was blown up in 1966. The spike as it is now normally referred to was erected between December 2002 and January 2003. This is now a favourite meeting place as it is so easy to find, is on the main shopping street and situated only a few hundred yards from the River Liffey and Temple Bar. Most of Dublin's busiest Bars are situated alongside the river and in the Temple Bar area. The tour bus booking offices are situated next to the spire.

Trinity College, or University of Dublin, was founded in 1591. Famous authors that graduated at Trinity are Jonathan Swift, Oliver Goldsmith and Oscar Wilde. Its library houses the 8th-century 'Book of Kells', the famous decorated gospel book made by Celtic Monks. The college is situated in the centre of Dublin. Walking tours of the college escorted by students that take about 40 minutes begin at 10.15.

Dublin Castle is another famous building in the City centre. The first fortified building on this site was a Danish Viking Fortress built around 930. The Norman invasion of 1169 saw the Normans strengthen and expand the existing town walls. The castle was again expanded and strengthened by King Jouhn of England in 1204. In a disastrous fire April 7th 1684, much of medieval Dublin Castle, including the old Parliament House, burnt down. The rebuilding of Dublin Castle carried out for King James at that time is what can be seen today. Guided tours of the State Apartments, Chapel Royal and Garda Police Museum are available from 10.00 - 16.45 Mon - Fri and 14.00 - 16.45 Sat and Sun, price around €4.50 per adult €2.00 per child.

Christ Church Cathedral

The original Viking church on the site of modern day Christ Church Cathedral was built around 1030. By 1152, that building had been incorporated into the Irish Church. In 1562, the nave roof vaulting collapsed. With the cathedral in ruins, emergency rebuilding took place immediately. The present day looks of the cathedral are attributed to extensive restorations and renovations carried out by the architect George Edmund Street in the 1870s at the expense of a Dublin whiskey distiller Henry Roe. Situated in the centre of Dublin, Christ Church Cathedral can be visited 09.45 - 16.30 Mon -Fri, 10.00 - 16.30 Sat and 12.45 - 14.45 Sun, price around €5 per adult, children free admission.

St Patrick's Cathedral situated only a few hundred yards from Christ Church Cathedral was completed in 1254. The Lady Chapel was added by Archbishop Fulk de Saundford in 1270. Although the original tower and part of the west nave were destroyed by fire in 1362, they had been replaced by Archbishop Minot by 1370. This impressive building can be visited each day 09.00 - 18.00, price about €4.50 per adult.

Guinness Brewery

The city's most famous business and now tourist attraction is the Guinness Brewery. Arthur Guinness founded the business when he staked his future on a rundown brewery at St. James's Gate in 1759. Now Ireland's number 1 visitor attraction, it is open 7 days a week from 09.30 am to 17.00 pm (remains open until 20.00 during July and August). Admission of €14.00 includes a complimentary pint of Guinness in the Gravity Bar (a bar situated high above the old storehouse with panoramic views of Dublin).

Nestling in the heart of old Dublin, just one minute's walk north of the River Liffey, lies the Old Jameson Distillery on the site of the original Jameson Distillery founded in 1780. The visitor centre that opened in November 1997 introduces visitors to the taste and history of John Jameson's Irish Whiskey. Tours are hosted by professional guides. The Old Jameson Distillery is open 363 days a year. Tours run from 09.30 till 17.30. The Gift shop and the Stillroom restaurant are open from 09.30 until 17.30. For more information, visit the website www.whiskeytours.ie/dublin.

Phoenix Park

North of the river and west of the city center is Phoenix Park, nearly 2,000 acres(800 hectares) in size, with a Zoo and Racetrack. This park is regarded as the second largest enclosed park in the world, second only to Yellowstone in the U.S.A. Built to commemorate the victories of the Duke of Wellington who was born in Dublin, the memorial in the Phoenix park is the tallest obelisk in Europe. Although originally intended to be higher than it is, a shortage of funds meant it was completed in 1861 at 205 feet. The Irish Presidents residense is also situated in the park with tours available every Saturday between 09.40 and 16.20.

Museums in the city include the National Gallery of Ireland, the National History Museum and the Hugh Lane Municipal Gallery of Modern Art.

Late Rooms is an excellent website for booking Hotels in Dublin. Simply click on the banner below. You will then see a selection of hotels with prices for the next few days. To view dates up to three months in advance, choose the arrival date and how many nights you plan to stay in the Search Engine then click Go. You will then see a list of hotels with prices and available rooms on those dates. Rooms can then be booked using the secure online booking system.

Car hire from Prestwick, Glasgow or any other European Airports can be found at: www.arguscarhire.com. Argus Car Hire offer low cost car hire at Glasgow Prestwick Airport in Scotland with the best fully inclusive car hire rates from the world's top 100 car rental companies. Argus Car Hire provide a wide choice of vehicles from budget economy options through to luxury autos. Argus will compare all the top car hire providers based at Prestwick Airport, or any other European Airport, to find you the very best deals available.