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| Sightseing and visiting on the northside of Dublin |
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Sightseing and visiting on the northside of Dublin - Statue in Dublin
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Sightseing and visiting on the northside of Dublin
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Accommodation_Dublin
O’Connell
Street
It is the main street north of the river Liffey. The layout of the
street is currently being redesigned. Plans include a plaza in front of
the General Post Office and wider footpaths. A number of monuments are
to be found along O'Connell Street, starting from the river: the statue
of Daniel O'Connell, the Monument of Light or Spire, the statue of
Father Theobald Matthew and finally the statue of Charles Stewart
Parnell. On the side of the |
street at the entrance to North Earl Street
is a statue of James Joyce. Gone is Anna Livia, a statue of the
personnalised Liffey, which had to make way for the erection of the
Spire. It is to be moved to another location which has not been defined
as yet.
Buildings of interest Today's Custom House (call 888 2538 for
information) was built between 1781 and 1781. Before that the original
Custom House was located in Temple Bar. Following an huge fire which
was lit during the independence struggle in the 1920s, Custom House's
interior has been widely redesigned and the building renovated.
An important landmark Northside is the General Post Office building
(call 705 7000 for information). During the 1916 Easter Rising, it
became a point of focus as a number of leaders read their proclamation
on the front steps. The building was later burned out in the siege and
pockmarks are still visible on the facade from the 1916 struggle and
the Civil War.
The original Four Courts (call 872 5555 for information) consisted in
The Exchequer, the Pleas, the King's Bench and the Chancery. Like
Custom House and the GPO, it has been set on fire at a point in history
(in this case during the events of 1922). Theatres The Abbey Theatre
(call 878 7222 for information or visit www.abbeytheatre.ie) came into
existence in 1904 and is renowned for its Irish acting ability and
theatrical presentations. It is noteworthy however that the building is
actuallly a replacement of the original one which burnt down in 1951.
The Peacock Theatre (same location) rather specialises in new and
experimental works.
The Gate Theatre (call 874 4045 for information) opened in 1929
although the building was originally a part of the Rotunda Hospital
complex. It features a wide mix of classic plays from Ireland and other
countries as well as contemporary or experimental pieces.
Smithfield
The centre of the area is the old hay, straw, cattle and horse
marketplace. Smithfield has been developed for a number of years, with
the aim of making it a major residential and cultural quarter. Even
modernized, the area still looks beautifully authentic and traditional.
Cobblestones for example have been removed for cleaning and put back
into place. The fruit and vegetable market still trades on Smithfield
square. An observation tower, also known as 'the chimney' (call 817
3820 for information) allows visitors to see the whole city of Dublin,
the sea and the southern mountains.
The Old Jameson Distillery (call 807 2355 for information) is devoted
to Irish Whiskey in which visitors will experience a re-creation of the
old distillery. Guided tours come complete with a complimentary glass
of whiskey and a surprise competition.
Croke Park Another landmark on the northside is the massive Croke Park
stadium, the largest in the country and home to the GAA (Gaelic
Athletic Association) since 1913. In September every year, the
All-Ireland finals are played on its grounds. Croke Park made worldwide
headlines in November 1920 as Black & Tans British soldiers raided
the ground and shot into the crowd. This resulted in the death of 11
spectators and 2 players. The GAA museum presents the history of Gaelic
sports (call 855 8176 for information or visit www.gaa.ie). |
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