Must See Sights and Landmarks in Ashbourne Area

"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."

"One of my favourite locations for wedding photos in Dublin, Trinity College is only accessible for those who can call it alma mater. But if you or your partner went to Trinity, the opportunities are endless. From the iconic and unique Trinity College Library to the Museum Building, from the quiet Rose Garden to the classical columns."

"One of Dublin’s biggest tourist attractions is Trinity College. Located in the middle of the city, it hosts the Book of Kells and attracts millions of visitors each year. Most widely photographed is Bell Tower in the Front Square, as it is Trinity’s landmark."

"The stunning gothic-tinged architecture, and the lawns where many of the greatest minds have sat make for an inspired visit. Trinity College is always a great spot to wander through, and that’s even better when you have your loving partner along for the ride."

"It is made of ornate cast iron and although its official name is the Liffey Bridge, it is still called the Ha’Penny Bridge. The name is derived from the cost (ha’penny or 1 1/2 pence) charged early Irish pedestrians to cross the Liffey River. It is a great place to stop and take pictures commemorating your Dublin visit. Budget fifteen minutes to take pictures and admire the Ha’Penny Bridge and its ironwork."

"When William Walsh’s passenger ferries began to deteriorate, he saw the opportunity to commission Dublin’s first-ever pedestrian bridge. The Wellington Bridge opened in 1816, with officials extracting a half-penny toll from anyone wishing to cross. This toll was dropped in 1919, but the “ha’penny” moniker stuck."

"Any of the bridges will offer you a good view, although if you can get the beautiful Ha’Penny bridge in your photo, you’ll be on to a winner. 9.Temple Bar District"

"The Malahide Castle and Gardens recently underwent restoration to preserve the natural history and architecture of the world famous tourist attraction. Situated along the north coast of Dublin, the castle was home to the Talbot family for centuries before the land was donated to the country for public use. The traditional stone structure and drafty rooms are reminiscent of ancient times, while the beautiful courtyards and gardens offer visitors a chance to stop and enjoy the scenery."

"Recently renovated, the playground at Malahide Castle and Gardens consists of swings, slides, climbing frames and other items of interest to suit kids of all ages. It is split into two sections with an area suited to toddlers and another more suited to older children. There are picnic benches for parents to relax at while keeping an eye on their children - perfect for when the kids get hungry after all that playing!"

"King Henry II of England built Malahide castle for his friend Sir Richard Talbot in 1185. Rumour has it it's still haunted by its jester, the Puck of Malahide. The story goes that the Puck had fallen in love with a prisoner, Lady Elenora Fitzgerald."

"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."

"If time allows before your flight you should try to visit Croke Park and Glasnevin Cemetry, both of which are in the direction of the airport from the city center. Croke Park – Ireland’s national games, Gaelic Football and Hurling, are played here with the finals of both sports occurring in September every year. Croke Park is the 3rd largest stadium in Europe in terms of capacity with room for 82,300 people. This is even more remarkable when you consider the players are completely amateur yet have more supporters cheering them on than most professional teams in the world."

"There are few more iconic Irish sites than the hallowed turf of historic Croke Park – and no more Irish a pastime than watching 30 people indulge in the frantic, fantastic and often painful sports of Gaelic football and hurling, the latter being arguably the fastest field sport in the world. Get a friendly local (FYI, the locals are all friendly) to explain the basics, then grab a pint of Guinness and take in one of the most exciting sporting spectacles you’ll ever witness, in one of the world’s finest stadiums. A Dublin must-see for sport fans."

"Home of the GAA, Gaelic Athletic Association, this stadium has been at the heart of Irish sporting life for over 100 years. With a capacity of over 82,000 it is the third largest sporting stadium in Europe, having been rebuilt in 2004. It is primarily used for the Gaelic football and hurling finals which draw huge crowds to the city."

"One of the city’s most rewarding walks is the 800-meter stroll along the Great South Wall to the Poolbeg Lighthouse, that red tower visible in the middle of Dublin Bay. It’s best enjoyed around sunset on a clear day, when you’ll have a stunning view of the bay and the city behind you."

"The Great South Wall is one of Dublin’s most gorgeous coastal walks, the trail leads all the way out to Poolbeg Light House. This is a fantastic walk in the evening time as it is a great place to catch the sunset. It takes about 20 minutes to reach the lighthouse from the car park."

"Poolbeg Lighthouse is also one of the most Instagrammable places in Dublin. The lighthouse is an aid to navigation. It's a very photogenic place because of the beautiful red color."

"The Dublin donut chain serves up delicious donuts that are famed for their fantastic flavours. From pistachio salted caramel to maple bacon and even GIN flavours, there's no donut craving these sugary treats can't satisfy."

"There seems to be a million of these around Dublin city, and thank goodness for that. One of my favorites is the Vegan Vanilla Glaze with Pistachio, yum!"

"I’m always intrigued by the flavors, from every chocolate combo imaginable to the above pictured lemon meringue and banoffee options at Offbeat Donuts."

"Meltdown on Crow Street in Temple Bar serves up melted cheese madness and artisan coffee. They take the wonderful Irish delicacy, that is the cheese toasty, to a whole new level with a range of drool-worthy flavours. There are five decadent sandwiches on offer with each one cheesier than the last."

"The coffee here is also superb and it’s a very relaxed, spacious place to enjoy a cup. They mostly offer crepes, which I’m not a fan of (in general) but you can also get a full Irish for breakfast, speciality teas and awesome omelettes. There’s a good selection of drinks as well as espresso speciality coffees and filter coffee."

"Not only do they do amazing coffee, which we talk about in this article here, Square One also prepare a mean brunch. They do all the classic brunch recipes while also adding a few more original plates, such as blueberry, lemon, and ricotta pancakes and grilled peach French toast. The café is light and spacious and is currently doing takeaway brunch and outdoor dining to continue serving during COVID restrictions."

"The buses will take you past the major sights and, depending on which tour you choose (grab some leaflets the evening before or do some research on the internet), even far-flung attractions like the Guinness Brewery, Kilmainham Gaol, and Phoenix Park will be seen. The main thing to remember here: get a good seat on top, enjoy the view, listen to the commentary, and snap away... but do not get off the bus. This is your city tour."