Places to visit: Tours

Little Museum of Dublin

Little Museum of Dublin

Dublin A to Z, Historical, Museums, Tours

The Little Museum of Dublin is full of items donated by ordinary Dubliners and in a relaxed format charts the cultural and social history of Dublin in the 20th Century.

“U2: Made in Dublin”  tells the story of Ireland’s most famous band and features fan-donated musical rarities, signed albums, some great photography, a Trabant car and a Gibson Explorer. Curated by fans of the band, alongside some of Ireland’s best photographers and artists, the exhibition is a tribute to U2’s achievements and a celebration of their roots in the local music scene of the 1970s.

The Editor’s Room is a small tribute to the famous Irish Times editor, R.M. Smylie, and to the much respected “newspaper of record”, the Irish Times. The room contains Smyllie’s desk, his portable typewriter, his desk lamp and many more bits and pieces from 150 years of newspaper history.

You Say You Love Me But You Don’t Even Know Me is an exhibition which re-introduces Northern Ireland to the people of Dublin. Featuring 35 artefacts from the collections of National Museums (Northern Ireland), the exhibition explores different perspectives of ‘Irishness’ without ignoring contested elements of our complex shared history.

The Golden Age of Dublin: James Malton’s Prints of Dublin  – In the 1790s a young English draughtsman decided to create a group portrait of Dublin. James Malton’s timing was impeccable, as the second city of the British Empire was then among the most splendid in Europe. But Dublin went into a long decline after the Act of Union in 1800.

Malton died at the age of 38, and it wasn’t until many years after his death that his aqua-tint plates were coloured. Today we owe the very idea of Georgian Dublin to this remarkable artist. His work is admired by millions of people every year, yet little is known about Malton himself. This exhibition explores the life of a man whose work has become, as the Irish Times noted recently, “ubiquitous to the point of invisibility.” It is also a miniature biography of Dublin at the height of its golden age.

Why not avail of the Green Mile Walking Tour of St Stephen’s Green? The tour tells the story of a square which has been at the centre of Irish history for hundreds of years. Every year 8.1 million people walk through the park; it has long served as a backdrop for public and private drama, as well as being the setting for many great love stories. The tour begins with a short presentation at the Museum. Participants then embark on a 60-minute walk in the company of an expert local guide.

Opening Hours:
Open 7 days:  9am – 5pm, last tour at 4pm
Entry to the museum is by guided tour only, and most tours sell out. To avoid disappointment, book your tickets in advance online. Museum tours start hourly, or every 30mins during peak periods. Museum Tour in French is available every morning at 10.30am.

The Green Mile Walking Tour is available daily at 2.30pm.

Occasional after-hours events or exclusive private tours may be available outside normal opening hours. Click here to see the full selection of events currently available.

Closed over the Christmas holiday period.

Contact & Pricing:
littlemuseum.ie
hello@littlemuseum.ie
Phone 01 661 1000
15 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2
Adults €13; concessions

National Print Museum

National Print Museum

Dublin A to Z, Exhibitions, Museums, Tours

The National Print Museum is a museum of printing craft skills. It has a collection of over 10,000 objects that covers the whole range of the printing craft in Ireland. The collection consists of printing machinery and artefacts including printing blocks, metal and wooden movable type, ephemera, photographs, books, pamphlets, periodicals and one banner. The collection policy covers from the introduction of movable type to Ireland (in the 16th century) to the present day.

Opening Hours:
Tues to Fri 10am – 4pm
Sat & Sun 12pm – 4pm
Open until 9pm on Thursdays in September & October.

Admission is free, with guided tours most days at 12 noon, €5 per person.
Free tour every Sunday (excluding bank holiday weekends) at 1pm.

Closed Mondays, Public Holidays and Bank Holiday Weekends (Saturday – Monday inclusive).
Occasionally closes early for events.
Closed 21 Dec-Jan 1

Contact & Pricing:
nationalprintmuseum.ie
info@nationalprintmuseum.ie
Tel: 01 660 3770
Garrison Chapel, Beggars Bush Barracks, Haddington Road, Dublin 4
Admission free

John Jameson

Old Jameson Distillery

Dublin A to Z, Entertainment, Historical, Tours

The Old Jameson Distillery is a tour through a re-created distillery which is visited by over 350,000 people a year.

The story of Jameson Whiskey starts on October 5th 1740 when John Jameson was born. The family motto ‘Sine Metu’ (‘Without Fear’) was awarded to them for their bravery in battling pirates on the high seas in the 1500’s. Years later, this motto was the inspiration for 30-year-old John Jameson’s move to Dublin in 1770 to start a whiskey distillery.

As Jameson established his distillery in Dublin, his practice of using only the finest ingredients began to leave a mark. Jameson personally selected the barley and casks, insisting his whiskey be distilled three times, not twice like Scottish whiskey, to create a very smooth spirit.

In the 1780’s, the men and women working in the distilleries enjoyed the best wages and working conditions in the city. Jameson believed sharing his profits, time and spirit with each worker made them loyal and, in turn, made a better whiskey.

By 1810, John Jameson’s son, John II, had expanded the distillery to be one of the largest in Ireland and, in the late 1800’s, his son, John III expanded the business globally to make it one of the largest whiskeys in the world. By the time John IV took over in the early 1900’s, Jameson Whiskey was world renowned.

Opening Hours:
Open 7 days.
Mon – Thurs: 11am, last tour at 5.30pm
Fri & Sat: 11am, last tour at 6.30pm
Sunday & Bank Holidays: 12pm, last tour at 5.30pm

Guided tours only; various options and combinations available.
Tour types and availability change seasonally, visit booking section to see the most up to date availability.

Contact & Pricing:
jamesonwhiskey.com
bowst@jamesonwhiskey.com
Tel: 01 807 2355
Bow Street, Smithfield, Dublin 7
Adults from €26; concessions

Pearse Lyons Distillery

Pearse Lyons Distillery

Dublin A to Z, Exhibitions, Historical, Tours

Situated in Dublin’s historic Liberties, the Pearse Lyons Distillery is a boutique distillery located only five minutes away from the Guinness Storehouse. Nestled in the former Church of St. James, the distillery has a colourful history dating back to the 12th Century.

Via the tour of the distillery and surrounding graveyard, guests are introduced to compelling characters from Dublin’s famous distilling and brewing district. This district, rich in culture and tradition, was once a place of booming industry known as The Golden Triangle.

The Pearse Lyons Distillery produces some of Ireland’s finest small batch Irish whiskies and celebrates the Irish tradition of storytelling on each guided tour. Guests enjoy a sensory experience as they are brought through the distilling process, before enjoying whiskey and gin tastings at our tasting bar. The tour options include a guided tour and tasting experience, an art of distilling experience with the head distiller and a whiskey and food pairing experience, with local seasonal produce.

All booklets, interactive material and welcome videos are translated in seven languages (English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Chinese and Portuguese).

The distillery tours run every hour on the hour and are small in size so that you can enjoy a more personal experience.

St. James’s Church dates back to the 12th century. The church was constructed in 1859 in a Gothic design with a cross shape, a tower and a spire at the southwest corner. It was closed for worship following a decline in the number of parishioners in 1963. It underwent various transformations, including becoming a lighting store and a food warehouse, until finally being renovated as you see it today.

Most of the original glass windows at St. James’ Church were either damaged or removed.  The new owners have given fresh life to the old window frames, creating stories associated with the art of the cooper, Irish whiskey and St. James. The illustrations include the pilgrimage to the Camino de Santiago; how Irish whiskey is made; the art of coopering; and the natural ingredients used in making “uisce beatha” (Irish for whiskey).

Irish whiskey has a long and interesting history. While the exact origins are not known, ancient manuscripts reveal Irish monks practised the art of distillation during the 6th Century. In the early days, the monasteries where the monks resided were at the centre of life and industry in Ireland and they prospered between the 6th and 9th centuries. However, from the 9th to 11th centuries, the Vikings invaded Ireland and destroyed the monasteries, forcing the monks to flee to Scotland where they created new settlements, bringing with them the art of distillation, thus beginning the production of Scotch whisky.

The next phase of importance arose during the 12th Century when the Normans invaded Ireland. It is said that the Norman soldiers appreciated the taste of Irish whiskey but they found the pronunciation of the word “Uisce Beatha” tricky and so renamed it, first “fuisce” and then “whiskey”.

The popularity of Irish whiskey grew so much so that by the 17th Century it was the drink of choice for Queen Elizabeth I of England. At the same time, commercial development began to occur as the government granted licences to a number of distilleries for the purpose of distilling whiskey. The first licence was granted in 1608 to Sir Thomas Phillips at the Old Bushmills Distillery (in the north-east of Ireland). This distillery is still in existence today and is the oldest working distillery in the world.

By the late 18th Century, distilleries flourished and some of the finest Irish whiskeys were exported throughout the British Empire. Similarly, from 1740 to 1910, Irish emigrants to the United States brought the taste of Irish whiskey to America. By the beginning of the 20th century, Irish whiskey accounted for 90% of the global export market. However, after establishing itself as the dominant world whiskey, two cruel blows were about to be dealt to the industry.

During 1916, as the First World War raged throughout Europe, the Irish rebelled against their British rulers. The treaty with Britain which followed the rebellion led to a civil war in Ireland from 1919 to 1921. The ending of civil war was then followed by a prolonged economic war with Britain which severely limited the volume of whiskey Ireland could export.

At the same time, the United States introduced the Prohibition laws which outlawed the production, importation or trade in alcoholic beverages. With difficulties in Ireland’s two most important export markets, many distilleries here closed their doors. When Prohibition ended in 1943, Ireland did not have a sufficient supply of mature Irish whiskey to cater for American demand. The dominant market position which Irish whiskey enjoyed prior to Prohibition was lost to the Scottish distillers and by the early 1960’s the export of Irish whiskey was virtually non-existent.

Coopers, often referred to as artisans of wood, are professional craftsmen who create barrels or casks for whiskey and various other alcoholic beverages, such as sherry, bourbon and wine. It is estimated that 6,000 coopers once worked this trade in Ireland, building and repairing wooden barrels for the once-thriving whiskey and beer industries that are now enjoying a renaissance.

Coopers have worked in the Liberties (part of Dublin’s inner city) for hundreds of years. They were the original packaging experts for dry and wet goods. The breweries and distilleries in the area employed them to mature and transport their goods. Pearse Lyons’ ancestors on his mother’s side, the Dunnes, were skilled in this craft for generations. One family member, Margaret Dunne, is recorded as the first female cooper in Ireland.

Irish whiskeys and other craft beverages are aged in wooden barrels. Storing the liquid in barrels allows the wood to impart its rich, nutty, spicy flavours and aromas. This process further enhances the drinkability of the liquid contained within. Due to the global rise in demand for Irish whiskey, the need for coopers and their finished products is stronger than ever.

Irish whiskey matures from anywhere between three years and a day to over 40 years. The barrels expand and contract with age and according to the temperature of the warehouse in which they rest. It is in reaction to this maturation process that the coopers play their most vital role. As the wood ages and the spirit within matures, cracks or other changes can appear in the wood. The coopers repair, maintain and protect the casks as they age.

Pearse Lyons Distillery

Opening Hours:
Open 7 days: 11.30am – 6.30pm
The distillery tours run every hour on the hour between 12pm and 5pm.
Tour capacity is small for a more personal experience, online booking recommended. Private tours and experiences also available.

Closed Dec 24 – 27

Contact & Pricing:
pearselyonsdistillery.com
info@pearselyonsdistillery.com
Tel: 01 691 6000
121-122 James’s Street, Dublin 8
Adults from €20; concessions

Phoenix Park

Phoenix Park

Dublin A to Z, For Kids, Gardens, Historical, Tours

The Phoenix Park contains over 700 ha. (1752 acres) and is the largest enclosed public park in any capital city in Europe. Open to the public since 1747, the Park is home to a large herd of fallow deer, a Visitor Centre, a Victorian kitchen walled garden (2.5 acres) , the Zoological Gardens and Aras an Uachtarain (the President’s residence). There are many walks & cycle routes.

The Visitor Centre houses an exhibition on the history/wildlife of the Park.
Nearby is the fully restored Ashtown Castle, a medieval tower house. Tours of Ashtown Castle are organised from the Visitor Centre all year round.

There are tours of Grangegorman Military Cemetery on Thursdays. Walkers assemble inside the Cemetery Gates. Admission is free and all are welcome. Please wear suitable shoes and clothing. For further information, phone 01 677 0095.

The Magazine Fort is strategically sited on St Thomas Hill, off the Military Road, and close to the Islandbridge Gate. It was built in 1734 -1736 to store gun powder and ammunition for British Government Forces. One third of the British Army was stationed in Ireland and was regularly rotated around the Empire. The Fort was raided on two occasions: Easter Monday 1916 and the 23rd of December 1939.

Conservation works are ongoing within the Fort, so tours are not currently available.

Opening Hours:
The park is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Visitor Centre –
May to Oct: 7 days a week, 9.30am – 6pm
Nov to Apr: Wed to Sun, 9.30am – 5.30pm; closed Mon & Tues

The Walled Kitchen Gardens are open daily 10am – 4pm all year round.
On the second Saturday of every month, visitors can meet the Park Gardeners between 10.30 am and 12.30 pm in the Kitchen Garden.

Tours of Ashtown Castle are organised from the Visitor Centre all year round.
Tours are at 10.30am, 12pm, 1.30pm, 3pm and 4.30pm, subject to availability.
www.heritageireland.ie/ashtown

Grangegorman Military Cemetery
Open all year round, 10am – 4pm.
Free guided tours may be available, on Thursdays at 11am.
Contact phoenixparkvisitorcentre@opw.ie to confirm availability.

The Magazine Fort
Guided tours will not resume until further notice.

Contact & Pricing:
phoenixpark.ie
heritageireland.ie/phoenix-park
phoenixparkvisitorcentre@opw.ie
Tel: 01 820 5800 / 01 677 0095
Admission to the park and all attractions is free.

Richmond Barracks

Richmond Barracks

Dublin A to Z, Historical, Tours

Richmond Barracks – within whose walls over 3,000 Irish rebels were held – has been carefully restored. It is no longer a museum but has become a cultural centre, where community workshops and artistic events take place.

If one sees the saga of Easter Week 1916 as a drama, the first Act is centred on the GPO and the last Act focuses on the the executions in Kilmainham Gaol. But the middle Act was played out in Richmond Barracks. Over 3,000 rebels, men and women of the Easter Rising, were held and sorted in the barracks buildings. The front line soldiers, rounded up from across Ireland, were packed in tightly, awaiting their sentence to prison camps in England or Wales.

The leaders were plucked out of the crowd and set aside in the barracks gymnasium to await their courts martial and fate. 90 death sentences were handed out over the first two weeks of May, and 14 executions were carried out in Kilmainham, including the seven signatories of the proclamation. Many of the architects of the new Irish state were held in the barracks including Michael Collins, Eamon De Valera, Arthur Griffith, and William T. Cosgrave.

Even the conclusion to the Rising has its roots in the Richmond Barracks. The British Prime Minister, Herbert Asquith, visited Richmond Barracks on the 13th of May, and the stay of executions which followed is often attributed to that visit.

In time, Richmond Barracks was given over by the State to to house people who required accommodation. By 1926, the converted barracks were renamed Keogh (or Kehoe) Square. By 1928, 248 families were housed in the barracks buildings and an additional 218 families lived in houses built on the thirteen acre field east of the square.

When the barracks were first converted into flats, they were amongst the finest in Dublin. Each hall housed six families, two on each floor, and each flat usually had two or three bedrooms, a large living room and open fire, a small kitchen, and a toilet. The estate was working class, with some people struggling to get by on small or no wages while feeding large families. It was a strong and stable community with close ties to one another.  The site subsequently became a school, a museum and is now a cultural centre.

The adjacent Goldenbridge Cemetery is now open to visitors for the first time since it closed in 1869. This was the first Catholic cemetery in Ireland, founded by Daniel O’Connell in 1828. Visitors can walk through the unspoilt garden cemetery; learn about the vaults, the watchmen with guard dogs, and bodysnatching;  and visit a Taoiseach’s grave and that of an eight year old boy killed as a result of a bullet wound in the 1916 Rising.

Walking Tour: Richmond Barracks to Kilmainham – Walk in the footsteps of the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising, from Richmond Barracks to Kilmainham Gaol. Hear the story of Inchicore, from the Rising’s ‘lost chapter’, to ‘the Saints’ Football Club, and the art deco Inchicore Library. This guided walk will take you right through the heart of historic Inchicore and Kilmainham.

Goldenbridge Cemetery Tour – Experience the atmospheric surrounds of Ireland’s first garden cemetery, founded by Daniel O’Connell almost 200 years ago.

There is also an extensive programme of free talks and classes.

Opening Hours:
Mon to Sat, 10am – 5pm; only the library is open on Mondays.
Closed Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Kilmainham Walking Tour runs Thursdays and Saturdays at 11am.
Goldenbridge Cemetery Tour runs Thursdays and Saturdays at 1pm.
Further details and other events can be found here.

Contact & Pricing:
richmondbarracks.ie
info@richmondbarracks.ie
Tel: 01 524 2532
Off Bulfin Rd, Inchicore, Dublin 8
Adults €10 per tour; concessions

St Michans Church

St. Michan’s Church

Churches, Dublin A to Z, Historical, Tours

St. Michan’s Church is situated on Church Street behind Dublin’s Four Courts and near the old city fruit and vegetable markets. St. Michan’s church is the oldest parish church on the north side of the river Liffey.

Originally founded in 1095 (as an early Danish chapel), the present church dates from 1685 and was renovated in 1825. Internally the church retains its original galleried interior and organ. The interior is little changed since Victorian times. The pulpit, now displayed at the back of the church, was commissioned from Christopher Stephens in February 1724. The staircase dates from 1724. Another remarkable survival is the ‘oak moving desk’ or ‘Penitents desk’. Used for public confession, it was commissioned in 1724.

The delightfully decorated organ was built by John Baptiste Cuvillie between 1723-1725. In front of the gallery is the ‘Organ Trophy’, a piece of wood depicting 17 musical instruments, possibly carved by Henry Houghton or John Houghton. The ‘Trophy’ was installed in 1724. Legend has it that Handel practised for the first performance of the ‘Messiah’ on this organ.

Underneath the church are five long burial vaults containing the mummified remains of many of Dublin’s most influential 17th, 18th and 19th century families, including the legendary Shears brothers and the highly decorated coffins of the Earls of Leitrim. The constant dry atmosphere has caused the mummification of the bodies and the preservation of the coffins. Since Victorian times visitors have descended the vault steps to see the mummies; Bram Stoker, creator of the ‘Dracula’ stories, is believed to have visited. In one vault can be seen the remains of the “Crusader”, though in fact he is only 650 years dead.

Opening Hours:
Apr to Oct: Mon to Fri, 10am – 12.30pm & 2pm – 4.30pm
Nov to Mar: Mon to Fri, 12.30pm – 3.30pm
Sat (all year round): 10am – 12.30pm
No tours on Sundays or Bank Holidays.
Closed: Easter weekend (Friday-Monday),  23 Dec to 1 Jan
No booking required; tours ongoing during opening hours.

Contact & Pricing:
cathedralgroupdublin.ie
stmichan@eircom.net
Tel: 01 872 4154
St. Michan’s Church, Church Street, Dublin 7
Adults €7; concessions

Teeling Whiskey Distillery Tour

Teeling Whiskey Distillery

Dublin A to Z, Entertainment, Historical, Museums, Tours

Dublin has traditionally been the heart of the Irish whiskey industry. During Walter Teeling’s time (the late 1700s), there were over 37 different distilleries in Dublin. The Liberties area of Dublin in particular was recognised as the epicentre for Dublin whiskey and was dubbed the ‘Golden Triangle’ due to the number of distilleries clustered in a one mile radius.

During the 19th century Dublin whiskey became globally recognised as the premier whiskey in the world. Renowned for its smooth and unique character, it sold at a premium to other types of whiskey. As a result of this success, some of the largest distilleries in the world emerged from these small craft Dublin distillers. Unfortunately, when Irish whiskey fell on hard times, so did distilling in Dublin and the last still ran cold in 1976.

The Teeling Family has been crafting Irish whiskey since 1782. Walter Teeling originally set up a craft distillery on Marrowbone Lane, Dublin, starting a 230-year family tradition. Jack and Stephen Teeling currently carry on the family’s legacy. The Teeling Whiskey Distillery is the first new distillery in Dublin in over 125 years and is bringing the craft back into the heart of Dublin city centre. Located in the ancient market square of Newmarket, an area long associated with brewing and distilling, the new distillery is a three copper pot still operation, reviving the traditional style of Dublin whiskey distillation.

Teeling whiskeys stay true to the family tradition of quality over quantity. From grain to bottle, many hands are involved in the small batch production process to ensure that each bottle of Teeling is crafted to the highest standard possible. Through taking more time and using innovative cask maturation techniques, the young team of craftsmen is producing small batch bottlings of unique Irish whiskeys. The goal is to retain the drinkability of Irish whiskey but bring in new and interesting flavours to complement the naturally smooth and sweet taste of Irish whiskey.

Open to visitors since June 2015, the Teeling Whiskey Distillery has already won the “Experience of the Year” award from the Luxury Travel Guide. The Distillery also houses a retail space and café.

Opening Hours:
Open 7 days: 12pm – 7pm
Tasting tours start every 20 minutes.
There is a selection of tours available to book online.
Phoenix Café open weekdays 8am – 4pm, weekends and Bank Holidays 10am – 6pm.

Contact & Pricing:
teelingwhiskey.com
reservations@teelingwhiskey.com
Tel: 01 531 0888
13-17 Newmarket, Dublin 8
From €18 per person, including whiskey tasting.

Viking Splash

Viking Splash

Dublin A to Z, For Kids, Historical, Tours

The Viking Splash is a pretty unique land and water tour of Dublin. Featuring engaging tour guides and authentic World War II military amphibious vehicles which go on both land and water, this is a deservedly popular tour. Entering the sea at Grand Canal Harbour is a spectacular experience.

The route takes in most of the major sights in the south city (Trinity College, Christ Church Cathedral, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Viking/Medieval/Georgian Dublin, Government buildings, Dublin Docklands). The vehicle is open-sided so expect to get a little wet.

Opening Hours:
Jun to Sept: 10am – 6.30pm
Tours run every 30 minutes.

Tour availability varies the rest of the year.
Advance booking is strongly advised.

Departure point – St. Stephens Green North (directly opposite Starbucks / Dawson Street).

Contact & Pricing:
vikingsplashdublin.ie
info@vikingsplashdublin.ie
Tel: 01 224 3852
Adults €35; concessions (Prices vary between high and low seasons)

Windmill Lane Studio One

Windmill Lane Recording Studios

Dublin A to Z, Entertainment, Tours

Opened by Brian Masterson and James Morris in 1978, the studios were originally located on Windmill Lane, where the buildings came to be known for the graffiti painted on them by U2 fans from all over the world.

From rock to rap, from AC/DC to 50 Cent, global superstars as well as local breakouts come to record at what we’ve built into the premier audio production house in Ireland and one of the most renowned in the world. Housed today in an iconic Art Deco building on Ringsend Road, the studio stands out as much for what you will discover inside. Comprising three state-of-the-art recording studios, our largest studio can accommodate an 80-piece orchestra.

The tour presents visitors with an intimate opportunity to understand the creation and production of the most iconic songs and albums by some of the most influential bands and artists of the past 40 years.

Please note, Windmill Lane Recording Studios is not a walk-in visitor centre or museum. It is a busy, working recording studio where client privacy is paramount. Book in advance in order to avoid disappointment.

Opening Hours:
Office Hours: 10am – 5pm 7 days a week
Entry is by guided tour only, and tours must be booked online before arrival.
Tours generally run Thursday to Sunday, but there may be restrictions if the studio is closed or booked for private recording sessions.
Tours run at 4pm, 5pm & 6pm on Thursday & Friday, and at 11am, 12pm, 2pm &3pm on Saturday & Sunday.
Guided tour lasts 50 – 60 minutes.
To see current availability, visit the website below.

Contact & Pricing:
windmilllanerecording.com
studios@windmilllanerecording.com
Tel: 01 668 5567
20 Ringsend Road, Dublin 4
Adults €22; concessions