Buildings

Number Twenty Nine, Newman House, St., Michan’s Church,  Trinity College, Collins Barracks and Dublin Castle are described in or associated with the Super League. The Royal Hospital is been mentioned under Art Galleries.

Bank of Ireland

Not only notable because it is one of the classic pieces of eighteenth century architecture for which the city is famous and because it is at the centre both of that Dublin and of ours, but because this was the seat of the short lived Irish Parliament which ceased to exist after the Act of Union in 1800. Built in 1729 it is a fitting symbol of the dynamic of  Anglo Irish aspirations of the period. The Irish House of Lords is a modest sized chamber but has fine Irish oak woodwork, eighteenth century tapestries and a 1233 piece chandelier. It is bang in the middle of the city, opposite Trinity College on College Green so you are bound to pass it. All city centre buses do. Admission free.

The Casino, Marino

Yes, it is very pretty and yes, it may well be the finest eighteenth century neo-classical building in Europe but if those things are not what you are in Dublin for, then the trip out to the north side district of Merino to see it may just be a bus stop too far. The  six fine rooms of this pleasure house were designed by Sir William Chambers for the first Earl of Charlemount, James Caulfield but the Arcadian setting for which its was built has now been devoured by suburbia. Nevertheless, if Georgian architecture is why you are here, take a 20A, 20B, 27, 27B, 42, 42C from the city centre or a 123 imp from O’Connells Street; or the Dart to Clontarf Road Station. Admission is IR£2.

The Customs House

Because of its commanding position beside the Liffey, The Customs House is one of Dublin’s most imposing buildings. Designed by James Gandon, who contributed so much to the city’s architectural heritage, it was completed in 1791, after much opposition and several attempts at sabotage by various local pressure groups. There is a visitors’ centre telling the story of the building, its architect and his work all excellently presented, like so much in Dublin is. The building had to be largely rebuilt after severe damage by fire in the War of Independence in 1921. The Customs House is five minutes walk from the city centre, the Busaras and Tara St. Dart station. Admission IR£1.

Newbridge House

If your lust for Georgian architecture is still unsatisfied you could might take the trip out to Newbridge House at Donabate. Built for the Archbishop of Dublin by Richard Castle in 1737, it is said to have one of the finest interiors of the period in Ireland and looks much as it did in its heyday. Elaborate stucco plaster work and original antique furniture, together with a restored courtyard and estate workers’ houses, smithy and carpenter’s shop combine to  make it the ultimate restoration; animals on its traditional farm offer a diversion for younger tourists who may have had eighteenth century buildings up to their oxters by this time. Donabate is 12 miles (19 km) north of the city so if you have a car take the N1. If not take bus no 33B from Eden Quay or the suburban line from Connolly Station. Admission in IR£3

Saint Patrick’s Cathedral www.stpatrickscathedral.ie

A small church stood here from the fifth century because of  the presence of a holy well which had associations with Saint Patrick. As they did almost everywhere in England and Ireland, the Normans  rebuilt it in 1191. Subsequent rebuilding occurred in the early twelve and late thirteen hundreds. The spire was added in 1749. Like Christ Church, St. Patrick's has been Anglican (Church of Ireland) since the Reformation and is remembered for its association  with one of the city’s most illustrious and cantankerous literary sons, Jonathan Swift who was its Dean from 1713 to 1747. Its other claim to world fame is that together with the that of Christ Church, its choir presented the first performance of Handles Messiah which was performed in Dublin. The Cathedral’s web site is www.stpatrickscathedral.ie and the busses to board are 50, 54A, and 56A from Eden Quay.

Malahide Castle

This is a popular jaunt and comprises the castle itself, a 250 acre park, Tara’s Palace Dolls’ House and the Fry model railway (see below). The castle, built in 1185 and occupied by the Talbot family for 800 years,  has interesting period furniture but do not expect Versailles or Hampton Court. It is rather the drama of its history that makes it special: imagine that night in 1690 when 14 members of the family dined together in the great hall on the eve of the Battle of the Boyne, all of whom would die the following day. James II, arriving ahead of his defeated army complained to Lady Talbot that her countrymen had deserted him. She responded wryly that His Majesty seemed to have won the race. Despite such disasters and dispossessions the family retained control until 1973 when Dublin Tourism took it over, the last of the venerable line having immigrated to Tasmania, from which she makes frequent visits. A bit out of town. Take bus 43 from Beresford Place or the suburban train line to Malahide from Connolly Station. Admission IR£3.15.

Christ Church Cathedral

It’s interesting and it’s central so see it if you have time. It is certainly central to the city’s history, having been originally built by the Norse king of Dublin, Sitric, in 1038 who erected a modest wooden structure for the bishop Dunan. It was rebuilt in stone in 1169 by  Richard de Clare, alias Strongbow (whose influential adventures are recorded in our history module) and has seen much rebuilding since, so the real antiquity of the structure is not so apparent from the outside. However from the inside the south transept, which dates from 1180 exhibits curiously overlapping Norman and Gothic styles. The north nave wall has been leaning since 1562 and is now about 18 inches off the vertical. It is suggested that as it was built by a Norman for a Gaelic Archbishop, Fintan O’Toole, that the Cathedral  represents reconciliation between the two traditions. Ironically it has been Protestant (Anglican Communion) since the Reformation. St. Fintan, who is Dublin’s patron, was buried in Normandy but his heart was interred here. There is a huge crypt, but it is closed at the moment. The mummified cat and mouse that are usually displayed there are now visible in the south transept. There is a connection by bridge from the Dvblinia exhibition (see below). Buses 78A from Aston Quay or 50 from Eden Quay. Admission IR£2.

Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church