Must See Sights and Landmarks in Skerries Area

"Popping your head into an imposing-looking church is a rite of passage for many of us on a city break. And as the oldest building in Dublin and largest and most famous of the city’s many churches, Christ Church Cathedral has long been a go-to historical attraction for many tourists visiting the city. Located only 10 minutes from the Maldron Hotel on Kevin Street and 15 minutes walk from Maldron Hotel Smithfield, Christ Church is the perfect place for respectful visitors looking to find a tranquil spot in the heart of Dublin city."

"Centrally located and attached by bridge to Christ Church Cathedral, this is a perfect place to introduce the kids to Dublin history. There are four different areas in this interactive museum: a Viking area, a Medieval Dublin area, an archaeological area, and a medieval tower offering a medieval view of a modern city. Kids will enjoy trying on Viking clothes, examining weaponry, and exploring different artifacts."

"If you’re on the search for churches in Dublin, you won’t want to miss out on a trip to the city’s most famous cathedral. Located at the top of a hill that looks out over the beautiful sights of Dublin, the Christ Church Cathedral is very popular amongst tourists and culture seekers. The structure dates back to the 11th century when it was built as a place of worship for Christians from all over the world."

"St. Patrick’s Cathedral was founded in the 12th century and is Ireland’s largest church, situated in the heart of Dublin City. There is plenty of history here; Jonathan Swift (author of “Gulliver’s Travels”) who was the dean of the Cathedral from 1713-1745 is buried here. The cathedral regularly hosts choral concerts and is worth experiencing."

"Tel: + 353 1 896 1116 Email: dhgallery@tcd.ie Web: www.douglashydegallery.com. The Douglas Hyde Gallery, founded in 1978, became independent of Trinity College in 1984, and for some years afterwards was the only publicly-funded gallery in Ireland that regularly exhibited contemporary art. The Douglas Hyde’s exhibition programme was wide-ranging and eclectic, including shows by major international artists as well as by emerging Irish artists."

"The compact area of Grafton Street, Temple Bar and Trinity College is where to stay in Dublin for 18th-century architecture, culture and glossy shopping in one place. The quadrangles of Trinity College are surrounded by Ireland’s finest neo-classical buildings; and the Old Library houses the famous Book of Kells. On nearby Grafton Street, you can hop from department store to funky café, and admire some excellent Irish craftwork."

"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."

"Chances are, most of the pictures you’ve seen of the River Liffey were taken from the Ha’penny Bridge, an elliptical arch bridge that stretches almost 150 feet across and one of the most photographed bridges in the city. Connecting the northside and the southside of Dublin city, the first ever pedestrian bridge in Dublin has been in operation since 1816. For the first hundred years of its life, foot passengers were required to pay a toll of half a penny to cross – hence its nickname which endures to this very day."

"A historical part of Dublin’s city, and one that we love to cross. It’s stretched over the waters since May 1816. Looking out to the river Liffey as the sun clocks out of another shift is just a dream for all the hopeless romantics out there."

"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"

"Malahide Castle dates back to the 12th century when a knight called Richard Talbot was granted “the lands and harbour of Malahide.” Since then, it has seen quite a bloody history over the years. The most notable was during the Battle of the Boyne, when 14 members of the family were killed, having just eaten breakfast together. For these reasons, it’s known as one of the most haunted places in Ireland."

"Malahide Castle is over 800-years-old and is home to brilliant grounds for families to explore together. From the butterfly glasshouse to the fairy trail in the woods, the playground and, of course, the castle itself, there is no shortage of things for kids to do at Malahide Castle. Address: Malahide, Co."

"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."

"A startling 80m in diameter and 13m high, Newgrange's white round stone walls, topped by a grass dome, look eerily futuristic. Underneath lies the finest Stone Age passage tomb in Ireland – one of the most remarkable prehistoric sites in Europe. Dating from around 3200 BC, it predates Egypt's pyramids by some six centuries.The tomb's precise alignment with the sun at the time of the winter solstice suggests it was also designed to act as a calendar."

"Drimnagh Castle is one of the few medieval castles that is still standing in Dublin. The structure dates back to the 12th century and was originally built by the Barnewell family, who arrived in Ireland with Strongbow. The Norman castle can be found in the suburb of Drimnagh, and it is worth the trip to the south side to see the pretty stone castle—which happens to be the only castle in Ireland with a moat."

"Did you know that Drimnagh Castle is the only castle in Ireland that still has a floating moat around it. It has been used as a Christian Brother's School and a GAA club and there's no prizes for guessing why it's a popular spot for weddings and other events."

"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."

"While you’ll have to plan your tour around when the Dail and Seanad are not in session, it’s well worth taking a trip over to Leinster House, one of Dublin’s most historic buildings, before departing from Merrion Square. While it’s the current seat of the Oireachtas, the Irish national parliament, the building with its two facades was originally built as the Dublin city residence of the Duke of Leinster in 1745 and is reputed to be modelled on the White House in Washington, DC. Tours of Leinster House have to be pre-arranged in advance and usually at their busiest in the afternoon so try to book one in the morning for a chance at a smaller group if you would like more opportunities to ask your burning history questions."

"This building once served as the home of James Fitzgerald, the Duke of Leinster and Earl of Kildare. Today, it serves as the home of Ireland’s parliament. Public tours of the building are available when the Dáil and Seanad are not in session."

"Leinster House once served as the home of James Fitzgerald, the Duke of Leinster and Earl of Kildare. Leinster House in Dublin. Photo: Duby Tal for Tourism Ireland."

"Some secrets are too good to remain hidden, which is why you’re about to find out about Iveagh Gardens, often known as Dublin’s secret garden. Laid out by the 1st Earl of Clonmell and once a fashionable public space called Coburg Gardens, it fell into disrepair before being rescued and revived by Sir Benjamin Guinness in 1862; the family then cared for the gardens before donating them to the Irish nation in 1939. You can now enjoy a rustic grotto and cascade, fountains, wilderness woodlands, a maze, a rosarium and archery grounds – there are few better things to do in Dublin if the weather is good."

"These idyllic gardens, designed in 1865, are among the finest and least known of Dublin’s parks and gardens and are often referred to as Dublin’s Secret Gardens and the entrance located to one side of the National Concert Hall would indeed have you think that as you walk through leaving the essence of the bustling city behind and entering a mystical and magical oasis of greenery and fountains. Inside there is a rustic grotto, a cascade, a yew maze, a rosarium, an archery grounds and woodlands. The Iveagh Gardens are popular with small and unique food and music festivals throughout the summer."

"As local Dublin experts, who know the city better than anyone, we’re only too happy to let you know the best spots in the city, and Iveagh Gardens is one of our favourites!. Hop off the city tour at St. Stephen’s Green, and it’s just a short stroll away!"

"The newly refurbished Maldron Hotel Pearse Street is in the heart of Dublin city centre. This Dublin hotel is perfectly located just a few minutes' walk away from the city's main venues and attractions. With newly refurbished comfortable and spacious rooms, dining options and meeting space on site, the hotel is the ideal choice for a Dublin break."

"If you are looking for a comfortable good-value hotel, we’ve stayed at a number of mid-range hotels in the city like the Ireland-based Maldron hotels. We would recommend booking lodging in or near the city center to make the most of your time in Dublin."

"Ireland, and Dublin in particular, is synonymous with great literature, and many of its great writers are synonymous with Dublin pubs. They drank, talked, and took in characters and conversations that made their way onto the page. Every pub will tell you James Joyce, Brendan Behan or Flann O’Brien drank there – and they probably did – but none has a stronger literary connection than Neary’s."

"Perhaps the most agreeable of Dublin's old-time boozers, a step away from the shopping frenzy of Grafton Street. It's perfect for a low-key drink on a Saturday afternoon or on a mid-week evening. Outside there's a touch of late-Victorian exuberance in the form of two outstretched cast-iron arms holding aloft a pair of lanterns."

"We’ll start close to home in a place which has become an institution in Ballsbridge, Roly’s Bistro. Their café has a fantastic brunch menu with plenty of options to suit all tastes. Available from 11-4pm every day, the brunch menu has a variety of traditional breakfast foods combined with a more modern offering including a very sophisticated Castletownbere crab cake."