Historic Sites in Ashbourne

"The headquarters of Ireland's most famous beer adds a bit of culture and history to your vacation drinking, giving you some depth beyond throwing back a pint in a pub (not that there's anything wrong with that). Three bars, three restaurants (all with bars), classes, and tastings all are on offer here, and although the public can't tour the brewery itself, this is the closest Guinness enthusiasts can get to the makings of the dark beer. The Storehouse's restaurants serve fresh food designed to pair with Guinness."

"You don’t have to go far to see a castle, as the Dublin Castle is in the heart of Dublin. It played a massive role in Ireland’s history, as it was the seat of England from 1204 until 1922. While no one lives there now, you can walk inside to see the how the staterooms used to be. There are over 11 acres to explore, including multiple museums and gardens."

"Dublin Castle can be read as a “living building” which has been adapting for over 1000 years. The center of state ceremony for hundreds of years, the building has hosted Ireland’s presidency of the European Commission, state visits, and the inauguration of Irish presidents."

"Before it's closure in 1924, Dublin's Kilmainham Gaol housed some of the most famous political and military leaders in Irish history. The prison is considered a must-see in Dublin and offers a panoramic insight into some of the most profound, disturbing and inspirational themes of modern Irish history. Pre-booking online is essential."

"Many Irish revolutionaries, including the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising were imprisoned and executed in this prison by the British."

"Christ Church Cathedral (founded c.1028) is the spiritual heart of the city, and one of the top visitor attractions in Dublin. Step inside and you can enjoy the cathedral’s beautiful interior and fascinating medieval crypt."

"With one of the most iconic designs in Dublin, St Patrick’s Cathedral is a hotspot for Christians and architecture enthusiasts. The beautiful spire stretches into the blue sky above Dublin as a beacon for travellers and tourists. The peaceful grounds offer a perfect setting for an afternoon stroll."

"Stop Two: St. Patrick Cathedral Within walking distance of Dublin Castle is Saint Patrick’s Cathedral which is on your 2 days in Dublin itinerary. It is a Church of Ireland Cathedral and the national cathedral of the Emerald Isle. There is a paid entry, which included a guided tour."

"Named for the patron saint of Ireland, construction started on the county’s largest Cathedral in 1220. Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver’s Travels was once dean and is buried there."

"The extraordinarily preserved yet little-visited ruins of Cistercian Bective Abbey are off the R161, 7km northeast of Trim. Founded by Murchadh O'Melaghin, King of Meath, in 1147, the abbey was confiscated by Henry VIII between 1536 and 1541 to fund his military campaign. Like Trim Castle, Bective Abbey also played a starring role in the film Braveheart. The evocative ruins are free to visit and are open round the clock; there's a small car park next to the site."

"Located in the opulent surroundings of Dublin's Mansion House on Dawson Street, Fire has been built in what was originally the Lord Mayor's supper room and is now a magnificent space with stained glass windows and vaulted ceilings. The food is all locally sourced and cooked to a high standard with a good mix of meat, vegetarian options and seafood - the jumbo prawn starter is the house speciality. There is also a special steak menu with a variety of cuts of ages, marinated beef that are sure to make a meat-lover's mouth water."

"FIRE Steakhouse boast possibly the best outdoor dining terrace in Dublin City. This stunning space overlooks the beautiful Lord Mayor’s garden and is great for a bit of people watching on Dawson Street. The terrace is large so there’s plenty of room for safe, social distancing and features a retractable roof and a glass balcony, ensuring that you can enjoy a meal and drinks with friends whatever the weather."

"Magnificent Castletown House simply has no peer. It is Ireland’s most imposing Georgian estate, and a testament to the vast wealth enjoyed by the Anglo-Irish gentry during the 18th century. Hour-long guided tours begin at noon and 3pm, offering an insight into how the 1% made out in the 18th century; otherwise you can wander at will. Don't miss a stroll down to the river for grand views back to the house. Castletown is signposted from junction 6 on the M4."

"Chapel Royale, the castle’s chapel, was beautiful and full of tales of its own. If you find yourself hungry or thirsty, there is a lovely eatery at the back of the castle with outdoor seating. The tour lasts one hour."

"Free tours of the official residence of the Irish president, Aras an Uachtaráin, a handsome Palladian mansion whose design inspired the architect of the White House in Washington, DC, depart from the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre every Saturday and operate on a first-come-first-served basis. Occasionally, tours might not run due to state business, so always check the website beforehand. The Irish Museum of Modern Art houses a wide collection of contemporary Irish artists © Jonathan Smith / Lonely Planet"

"La Maison has quickly built up a bank of regular diners thanks to its hearty, straightforward food that appeals to all kinds of people – from families through to fine-dining fanatics. Guests repeatedly cite one of the bonuses of dining here as the food being really good value for the quality on offer, which includes failsafe plates like omelette, salad and chips and moules mariniere. The sweet line up is one worth saving a little room for too, with a classic crème brulee sitting alongside an apple tarte tatin on the menu, plus the all-important cheeseboard."

"Whether you are travelling to Dublin for a romantic getaway or want to surprise your significant other with a romantic dinner, we came up with a list of our favourite intimate and delicious restaurants. Dublin is a very cosmopolitan city and has a wide range when it comes to dining options. As the proverb says, “food is symbolic of love when words are inadequate”: This is why we gathered various options that will suit all budgets and preferences."

"Style / Ambiance: Tucked away on a small lane near St. Stephen’s Green, One Pico offers award-winning fine dining in a peaceful pocket of the city center. The fresh white exterior leads into a dining room of gold and beige, peppered with plush purple furnishings that make it easy to linger here for a while. Chef-proprietor Eamonn O’Reilly and head chef Ciaran McGill create wonderfully inventive dishes using local seasonal produce, changing the menu every month and never failing to impress O’Reilly’s many loyal disciples."

"A luxuriously styled restaurant that continues to fly under the radar, even that of the locals, located mere steps from Grafton Street. One Pico, under chef Ciaran McGill, delivers an elegant, continental gastronomic experience in the heart of Dublin. Particularly wonderful for lunch and pre-theatre."

"Chef-owner Eamonn O'Reilly cuts quite a dash, but it's his sophisticated, daring, contemporary cuisine that tends to seduce visitors to his...Read More"

"This place makes you feel like you're chilling in some Parisian café, with amazing posters all over the walls and staff so French they just walked off the Champs-Elysées."

"For mouthwatering pancakes, vegan milkshakes, and a choice of many vegan burgers, this is a spot you do not want to pass up the opportunity to visit. Get here with an empty stomach and enjoy all the tasty offerings. Address: 192 Rathmines Rd Lower, Rathmines, Dublin, D06 Y3E8"

"Relatively new to Rathmines, The Carrot's Tail is a plant-based and zero waste cafe. Vegans shouldn't be left out of Pancake Tuesday and they definitely aren't at this place because the pancakes are a revelation."

"Address: 101 Dorset St Upper, Inns Quay, Dublin, Ireland Site: http://www.veginity.com/ Phone: 353-15359067 $$. Serving up a range of internationally inspired plant based dishes, Veginity is a favorite amongst plant-based eaters in Dublin. The team that drives the restaurant likes to challenge the notion that a good meal must include meat, must be served in a fine restaurant, and must be of detriment to the earth."

"Veginity is a fine dining-style vegan restaurant known for its incredible flavours. Menus include all-day breakfast, an Italian-inspired dinner offering and pastries that would convince you they're full of butter if you didn't know any better, so you can satisfy your need for a decent croissant here."

"A buzzing café serving exclusively vegan and vegetarian food. What started as a food truck has now found a permanent casual dining spot serving unfussy food. Owner-chef, Mark Senn changes the menu regularly with a tasting and a la carte options."

"Overlooking Drogheda, Millmount is an artificial hill that may have been a prehistoric burial ground like Newgrange, but has never been excavated.The Normans constructed a motte-and-bailey fort on top of this convenient command post overlooking the bridge. It was followed by a castle, which in turn was replaced by a Martello tower in 1808.A section of the army barracks is now used as the Millmount Museum. Exhibits include three wonderful late-18th-century guild banners."

"The Irish Whiskey Museum in Dublin might not be a distillery, but its breadth of knowledge about the Irish whiskey industry merits noting. If you can’t make it to a full distillery tour in Dublin, the Irish Whiskey Museum is still a nice place to go to learn more about the drink & have a tipple. The Irish Whiskey Museum covers the different eras of Irish whiskey history, then follows it up with a tasting of a few different varieties from around the country."

"Go on a liquor journey that you will never forget in the outstanding whiskey emporium in Ireland, the Irish Whiskey Museum. Through these unusual guided tours in Dublin, learn how the Irish whiskey rose to fame and fell distastefully, and discover various Irish whiskey brands. Tales and stories told by the tour experts will be accompanied with exhibits of old and aged whiskeys in the museum."

"I visited the Irish Whiskey Museum a couple of years ago as a going-away present for a friend. The tour was excellent, although there was a rowdy group of lads on it that disrupted it a bit. If you, like me, wouldn’t be the biggest fan of whiskey, the tour at the Irish Whiskey Museum in Dublin is a good way to ease yourself into it."

"The National Photographic Archive of Dublin is located in Meeting House Square in Temple Bar. It houses the photographic collection of the National Library of Ireland, with over 630,000 photographs."