The Spire of Dublin is situated in the city centre on the main street named O'Connell Street.

At 396 feet high, it 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.

More Information . Ireland Map . Dublin Map . Google Map . Bus Tours.

Trinity College, or University of Dublin, is situated about 0.5 miles south of O'Connell Street. On the tour bus route.

The college 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 open to visitors, details of various visits can be found under more information.

More Information . Google Map.

Dublin Castle is situated about 0.7 miles southwest of O'Connell Street. On the tour bus route.

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.

Opening Hours Mon - Sat: 10.00 - 16.45 Sun and Bank Holidays: 14.00 - 16.45 Closed 24 - 28 and 31 December, 1 January and Good Friday. Adult: €4.50.

More Information . Google Map.

More Information . Google Map.

Christ Church Cathedral is situated about 0.9 miles southwest of O'Connell Street. On the tour bus route.

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.

Christ Church Cathedral can be visited 09.45 - 16.30 Mon - Fri, 10.00 - 16.30 Sat and 12.45 - 14.45 Sun, for a small fee.

St Patrick's Cathedral is situated about 1.1 miles southwest of O'Connell Street, a few hundred yards south of Christ Church Cathedral. On the tour bus route.

St Patrick's 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, for a small fee.

More Information . Google Map.

More Information . Google Map.

The Guinness Brewery is situated about 1.6 miles southwest of O'Connell Street. On the tour bus route.

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 fee includes a complimentary pint of Guinness in the Gravity Bar (a bar situated high above the old storehouse with panoramic views of Dublin).

The Old Jameson Distillery is situated about 1 mile west of O'Connell Street. On the tour bus route.

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.

More Information . Google Map.

Phoenix Park is situated about 3 miles west of O'Connell Street. On the tour bus route.

Phoenix Park is 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.

More Information . Google Map.

Dublin Bus operate the Dublin Tour - North Coast & Castle that travels along the north coast of Dublin where many of the richest people in Ireland live, and stops at Malahide Castle for a tour of this stately home.

Malahide Castle, set on 250 acres of park land in the pretty seaside town of Malahide, was both a fortress and a private home for nearly eight hundred years. The Talbot family lived here from 1185 to 1973, when the last Lord Talbot died.

Website: www.malahidecastle.com . Google Map.

Dublin Bus also operate the Dublin Tour - South Coast & Gardens that travels to Dublin's beautiful south coast.

Along the great sweep of Dublin Bay, past Dun Laoghaire's elegant promenade and yacht-filled harbour, to James Joyce's Tower at Sandycove, the sea views are unsurpassed.

Turning inland, the tour climbs into the beautiful Wicklow Mountains and continues through the enchanting old-world village of Enniskerry to Powerscourt House & Gardens, as seen left.

Website: www.powerscourt.ie . Google Map.

The Cork and Blarney Castle Rail Tour from Dublin is a popular tour that starts at the Dublin Heuston Train Station, where you meet the guides.

You travel by train to Cork, about 160 miles southwest, then transfer to a coach for a tour of Cork, Blarney Castle and Cobh (formerly Queenstown) where many of the Irish emigrant ships departed from.

Cork website: www.cork-guide.ie/corkcity.

Tour website: www.viator.com/Dublin . Google Map.

Castle website: www.blarneycastle.ie

Blarney Castle was built nearly six hundred years ago by one of Ireland’s greatest chieftains, Cormac MacCarthy.

Over the last few hundred years, millions have flocked to Blarney, making it a world landmark and one of Ireland’s greatest treasures.

Now that might have something to do with the Blarney Stone, the legendary Stone of Eloquence, found at the top of our Tower. Kiss it and you’ll never again be lost for words.

Tour website: www.viator.com/Dublin. Google Map.

Queenstown, as it was named for some decades, reverted to its old Irish name in 1922 - the Cobh (cove) of Cork.

Is there anywhere in Ireland more full of poignant memories than this embarkation point for America? From here, hundreds of thousands of mostly hungry and penniless Irish men and women left to build a new life, especially in the Famine years of 1844-48.

Many thrived and prospered, but many died on the journey in the terrible traveling conditions of the time.

The Queenstown Story is based in the disused portions of the railway station at Cobh. This highly imaginative visitor attraction tells the story of emigration from Cobh in the period of the famine in 1845 up to the era of the Great Liners in the 1950s.

Cohb website: www.cork-guide.ie/cobh. Tour website: www.viator.com/Dublin . Google Map.

Website: www.viator.com/Dublin.

The Limerick, Cliffs of Moher, Burren and Galway Bay Rail Tour from Dublin.

Explore Ireland's west coast highlights on a coach and rail day trip to the wild Cliffs of Moher, the Burren and picturesque Galway Bay.

Departing from Dublin Heuston Station, you'll catch a train to Limerick (breakfast service available onboard), where you'll enjoy a short tour of the treaty city, the setting for Frank McCourt’s best-selling memoir Angela's Ashes.

The tour then heads north to Bunratty Castle and Folk Village. After a lunch, stop at the Doolin Pub, it's on to the majestic Cliffs of Moher on the wild Atlantic coast. Google Map.

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

Tours to Northern Ireland including the Giants Causeway. Optional Tour.

More history of Dublin: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dublin.