Dublin Cruise Holiday Guide

GMT (GMT + 1 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before the last Sunday in October).

Euro (€) = 100 cents.

Language

Irish and English.

The capital city of Ireland is spread over the broad valley of the River Liffey around Dublin Bay in a great sweep of coast from the rocky brow of Howth in the north to the headland of Dalkey in the south, and sheltered by the Wicklow Hills. In addition to its imposing public buildings, Dublin is particularly rich in architecture of the 18th century with fine Georgian mansions, wide streets and spacious squares. There are fashionable shopping centres and a range of cultural and sporting entertainments. There are many public parks in Dublin, the most famous of which is Phoenix Park at the western edge of the city. Originally priory land, it became a royal deer park in the 17th century. It is home to the Irish President and the US ambassador to Ireland. Housed in the west wing of Leinster House, The National Gallery has over 2000 paintings. The National Museum has a collection of Irish antiquities from the Stone Age to medieval times. The most famous exhibits include the eighth-century Ardagh Chalice and Tara Brooch and the 12th-century Cross of Cong. There is also a room devoted to the Easter Rising and War of Independence. Other museums worth visiting include the Dublin Civic Museum; the Municipal Gallery of Modern Art; the National Library of Ireland and the Royal Irish Academy Library. Trinity College Library houses the eighth-century Book of Kells and the finest collection of early illuminated manuscripts in Ireland. Trinity College is the city’s most famous landmark. Founded by Elizabeth I in 1591, it is noted for its cobbled stone quadrangles and imposing grey college buildings. Dublin Castle, the seat of British administration from the 12th century to the 1920s, can be found on high ground west of Dame Street and Christ Church Cathedral, one of the city’s finest historical buildings, is located at the end of Lord Edward Street.

Special purchases include hand-woven tweed, hand-crocheted woollens and cottons, sheepskin goods, gold and silver jewellery, Aran knitwear, linen, pottery, Irish crystal and basketry.

Ireland is a farming country noted for its meat, bacon, poultry and dairy produce. The surrounding sea, inland lakes and rivers offer fresh fish including salmon, trout, lobster, Dublin Bay prawns, oysters (served with Guinness and wholemeal bread), mussels and periwinkles. Dublin has a wide selection of restaurants and eating places to suit every pocket. Typical Irish dishes include corned beef and carrots, boiled bacon and cabbage and Irish stew. Other local delicacies are crubeens (pigs trotters), colcannon (a mixture of potatoes and cabbage cooked together), soda bread and a soufflé made with carrageen (a variety of seaweed).

Europe and Ireland

Ireland