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| County Dublin |
Like many tourists (including myself), you may book your hotel in Dublin for 4-5 days, thinking that the "Fair City" would have enough to keep you busy full-time. Contrary to other European cities, however, Dublin is a "human-scale city", and you will realise very quickly that one day is more than enough to walk across Temple Bar, Trinity College, Grafton Street, O'Connell Street and Stephen's Green. (For further details, please visit the page on Dublin City Centre) Don’t panic, though... there are numerous spots to discover in County Dublin Luckily, they are also easy to access (via bus or via DART) and affordable. Here is what I suggest you do or visit in Co. Dublin. |
| 1. Walk through the Dublin National Botanic Gardens... [    ] Created in 1875, the National Botanic Gardens is noted for its fine plant collections, holding over 15,000 plant species from a variety of habitats from all around the world. The site is located 3.5km from Dublin and is accessible via bus. Please note that an excellent guided tour takes place on Sundays at 12pm and 2:30pm, and is free of charge. |
| 2. Visit the site of Farmleigh... [ ] Farmleigh is an estate of 31 hectares situated to the North-West of Dublin's Phoenix Park (accessible via bus). It was purchased by the Office of Public Works on behalf of the Government in June 1999 and developed in order to provide accommodation for visiting dignitaries and guests of the nation, for high-level Government meetings and for enjoyment by the public. A little outdoor market sometimes takes place on the grounds. |
| 3. Take the DART... [ ] The DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) is the rail line running along the coast of Dublin, from Malahide and Howth southwards as far as Greystones, (Co. Wicklow). If you take it, you will enjoy fantastic seaside views... what a change compared to the Parisian suburban rail transport system (RER)! For your information, all sites described below are accessible via DART. |
| 4. See the windmills of Skerries... [  ] This is obviously not like in the Netherlands, but in Skerries, you can visit 2 windmills and a watermill, which still work. It's a unique collection of mills and one of Ireland’s foremost industrial heritage centres. |
| 5. Walk inside the town of Howth... [ ] Howth is a fishing and yachting port located 15 km North-East of Dublin City Centre. The Howth Peninsula, with its harbour and lighthouses, beaches, walks, martello towers and portal tomb, possesses one of the finest panoramas overlooking Dublin Bay (see photo). |
 Photo 5. View on Howth. |
| 6. Play in Dublin's Casino... [ ] The Casino was designed by Sir William Chambers as a pleasure house for James Caulfeild, 1st Earl of Charlemont. It is one of the finest 18th century neo-classical buildings in Europe. The Casino contains 16 finely decorated rooms. Beware! There are no coins or money machines here... The term Casino originally meant "small house". |
7. Have a stroll between Blackrock and Dún Laoghaire... |
8. Visit Dún Laoghaire... [ ] Dún Laoghaire (pronounced Dun Leery) is a town on the coast about 11km south of Dublin. I worked there for 6 months after my company moved there. With the DART, it will take around 20 minutes to reach from the centre of Dublin. Together with its harbour and its surrounding rolling hills, Dún Laoghaire is a great place to begin or end your journey in Co. Dublin. |
| 9. Observe the icebergs and glaciers of Dún Laoghaire... [ ] The photo on the right-hand side is an optical illusion, which you can also find in other towns of this world. Surprising, isn't it? This piece of art was visible in 2008 on the quays of Dún Laoghaire, but has unfortunately not been preserved. Instead, as a compromise, you will find an ice-cream van. |
| 10. Pass via Dalkey Village... [ ] Dalkey is a coastal suburb and resort located 13 km south-east of Dublin City Centre. Dalkey or Deilginis (Irish for Thorn Island) is named after its neighbouring island (Dalkey Island). Dalkey grew up as a medieval port, and thrived as a seaside suburb from the 19th century onwards after the construction of the railway. |
11. Have a stroll between Dalkey and Killiney... [ ] It is possible to go on foot from Dalkey to its neighbouring village (Killiney) via a beautiful path overlooking Dublin city and Dublin Bay. The view on the right-hand side can also be seen in the film "Once", which recently received an Academy Award (for Best Original Song). See photo below. |
| County Dublin in pictures | ||
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 Photo 2. Farmleigh. |
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 Photo 3. The DART. |
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 Photo 4. Windmills in Skerries. |
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 Photo 6. Casino of Dublin. |
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 Photo 7. Salthill & Monkstown. |
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 Photo 8. Sunset in Dún Laoghaire. |
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 Photo 9. Dún Laoghaire : c'est cool ! |
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 Photo 10. Dalkey Castle. |
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 Photo 11. Between Dalkey and Killiney. |
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Now, feel free to visit sites located in Dublin City Centre. Just click here  . |
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Legend:
Nice; Worth a visit; Well worth visiting
Please note that this grading system is only based on my interests and personal experience as a French expat in Ireland. Feel free to visit the same locations and share your experience .
Free or Not Applicable Entrance fee ≤€5 ; €5<Entrance fee≤€10 ; €10<Entrance fee≤€15 and so on...
These price ranges are indicative only to help you plan your holiday budget and are subject to change. Discounts generally apply for families, groups, children, students and seniors citizens.
While the admission to this site is free, a parking fee may apply.
Heritage Site managed by the Office of Public Works. Most OPW sites are free of charge on the first Wednesday of every month during 2011. A Good tip: the Heritage Card entitles you unlimited admission for one year to all OPW sites (around €21).