Places to visit & Things to Do in Dublin

The Abbey Theater 

The Abbey Theatre is Ireland’s National Theatre. It was founded by Nobel Laureate William Butler Yeats and Lady Augusta Gregory in 1904 and has played a vital and often controversial role in the literary, social and cultural life of Ireland. Renowned as a writer’s theatre it has contributed some of the world’s greatest theatrical works from such writers as J M Synge and Sean O’Casey through to modern day classics from Brian Friel, Tom Murphy, Frank McGuinness, Hugh Leonard, Tom Mac Intyre and Sebastian Barry. In the Abbey's 2010 season you can enjoy classic drama by Sam Shepard, Tom Mac Intyre, Marina Carr and William Shakespeare. As an icon of world theatre, the Abbey Theatre welcomes many overseas visitors every year. 

Photo: The School for Scandal by Richard Brinsley Sheridan 

Opening Times: 
Abbey Performances: Monday-Saturday: 7.30pm 
Saturday Matinees: 2pm 

Peacock Performances: Monday-Saturday: 8pm 
Saturday Matinees: 2.30pm 


Admission Prices: 
Abbey Theatre tickets: €17-€38 
Peacock Theatre tickets: €15-€25 

Concession tickets are available to fulltime students, equity members, seniors (over 65) and the unemployed for performances Monday – Friday evening and Saturday matinee only. Please ensure you have your proof of eligibility when you purchase your ticket and attend the performance. 

The Abbey Theatre can accommodate special arrangements and offer discounted ticket prices for groups of 10 people or more. Please contact the Abbey Theatre for more information 

Facilities: 
Full Bar. Backstage tours, subject to availability. For details contact +353 1 887 2223. 

How to Get There: 
Located off O'Connell Street. 
By bus: Main bus routes to city centre. 
By train: DART to Tara Street or Connolly Stations. 
By Luas: Red line to Abbey Street. 

                                                            National Museum of Ireland

Walk into the National Museum of Ireland on Kildare Street and you are magically transported back in time. A stroll through time will take you all the way back to 7,000BC. 

The Museum first opened its doors in 1890 and since then it has been filling in the blanks for us through its extensive archeological collections. 

Take time at The Treasury which features outstanding examples of Celtic and Medieval art, such as the famous Ardagh Chalice, the Tara Brooch and the Derrynaflan Hoard. 

Gaze in wonder at the finest collection of prehistoric gold artefacts in Europe, which is to be found in Or - Ireland's Gold. Ramble through prehistoric Ireland and experience life at the same time of the Vikings in Viking Age Ireland. 

Medieval Ireland 1150 - 1550, documents life in Ireland in the age of cathedrals, monasteries and castles.

The new and fascinating Kingship & Sacrifice exhibition centres on a number of recently found bog bodies dating back to the Iron Age. Displayed along with other bog finds from the Museums collections, it offers you an opportunity to come 'face to face' with your ancient ancestors. 

  

Opening Times:

Tuesday-Saturday: 10.00am-5.00pm
Sunday: 2.00pm-5.00pm
Closed Monday including Bank Holidays.

 

Admission Prices:

Free Admission to Museum

Additional Private Group Tours-Groups that are charged €2 per person for a tour are: Language Schools, Retirement Groups, Interest Groups, Tour Operator Groups. 
Groups that are free are: all primary, secondary, and third level colleges, national and international, special needs groups, community groups, diplomats/delegates, tourism delegates.

Facilities:

Museum café, museum gift shop, education resource room, audio-visual presentation. Calendar of events available – call or email us for details.

 

How to Get There:
Buses: 7, 7A, 8 (Burgh Quay), 10, 11, 13 (O’Connell Street).
DART to Pearse Station (Westland Row).

                                                               The National Library 

With over 8 million items in its collection, the National Library is home to the most comprehensive compilation of Irish documentary material in the world. From music, periodicals and photographs to maps, manuscripts and genealogical material, the Library offers and provides free access to an invaluable representation of Irish heritage.

Explore the poetry and legacy of Ireland’s greatest poet in the award-winning exhibition Yeats: The Life and Works of William Butler Yeats. The Discover Your National Library exhibition showcases some of the wonderful items from its collection, including rare books, manuscripts, maps, photographs and ephemeral items. Kids of all ages will love the new exhibition Tall Tales and Deadly Drawings featuring Irish children’s books and amazing illustrations from the Library’s collection of drawings.

Free public tours of the Yeats exhibition take place on Wednesdays at 1pm and Saturdays at 11am and 3pm. Tours of the Discover exhibition take place on Tuesdays at 2.30pm. A guided tour celebrating the history and heritage of the Library takes place each Saturday at 2.30pm. No booking is required.

Facilities:
Exhibitions, genealogy advisory service, reading rooms, café, wheelchair accessible. Group bookings for tours available.

Opening Time:

Monday – Wednesday: 9.30am – 7.45pm
Thursday – Friday: 9.30am – 4.45pm
Saturday: 9.30am – 4.30pm (reading rooms close at 12.45pm)
Sunday: 1pm – 5pm (exhibitions only)
 

Prices:

Free admission and free tours

How To Get There:

BUS: all routes to City Centre
DART: Pearse Station
LUAS: Green Line to St. Stephen’s Green

                                                The Residence of the President of Ireland

Áras an Uachtaráin is open Saturdays only. Free admission tickets are issued at the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre on the day. Group and/or advance booking is not permitted. 

Opening times:
Summer (Sat only) 10.15am-4pm 
Winter (Sat only) 10.30am-3.30pm 

Closed 24th-27th December

Guided Tours Meeting Point:
Phoenix Park Visitor Centre,
Phoenix Park,
Dublin 8

                                                                   The Dublin Zoo 

 

Dublin Zoo, located in the Phoenix Park in the heart of Dublin city, is Ireland’s No.1 visitor attraction and welcomed almost one million visitors last year. 

As one of the world’s oldest and most popular zoos, the 70-acre park in the heart of Dublin is home to some 600 animals in an environment where education and conservation combine for an exciting and unforgettable experience.

See many rare and exotic animals living and roaming a wide variety of natural habitats. Wander through the African Savanna and gaze at the giraffes, zebras, scimitar oryx and ostrich, then head to the Kaziranga Forest to see the magnificent herd of Asian elephants that call this beautiful place home. Experience the heat of the South American House before heading to Family farm and don’t forget to visit the soon to be opened Gorilla Rainforest!

There are plenty of amazing animals to discover including tigers, hippos, bats, rare monkeys, gorillas, chimpanzees, red pandas and reptiles to name but a few!

Conservation is an important part of Dublin Zoo’s work, and as a registered charity the zoo relies on the generosity of friends and visitors to help fund the internationally acclaimed education, conservation and breeding programmes.

Dublin Zoo is easily accessible by car or public transport and open all year round from 9.30am daily so be sure to get there early and pack everything into one fun filled family day!

For more information and news on events log onto www.dublinzoo.ie
 

Facilities: 
Shop, Restaurant, Kiosks, Disabled access to 90% of Zoo, visitor centre and wheelchair available. 

Opening Time:

-January 
Monday-Saturday: 9.30am-4.30pm 
Sunday: 9.30am-4.30pm 

-February 
Monday-Saturday: 9.30am-5.00pm 
Sunday: 9.30am-5.00pm 

-March to September 
Monday-Saturday: 9.30am-6.00pm 
Sunday: 9.30am-6.00pm 

-October 
Monday-Saturday: 9.30am-5.30pm 
Sunday: 9.30am-5.30pm 

-November 
Monday-Saturday: 9.30am-4.00pm 
Sunday: 9.30am-4.00pm 

-December 
Monday-Saturday: 9.30am-4.00pm 
Sunday: 9.30am-4.00pm 

Last admission one hour before closing. 
 

Prices:

Admission Prices: 
Adults: €15.00 
Children: €10.50 
Students: €12.50 
OAPs: €12.00 

Group Admission Prices: 
Adult €12.50 
Child €8.00 
min group no.10

Family tickets

2 Adults + 2 Children €43..50

2 Adults + 3 Children €49.00

2 Adults + 4 Children €52.00

How To Get There:

Located in the Phoenix Park, Dublin 8 it is easy to get to Dublin Zoo. There are a range of easily accessible options to choose from: bus, train, bicycle or car.

From Dublin city centre:

Buses:? Nos. 25 / 25A, 26, 46A, 66 / 66A / 66B, 67 / 67A, 68, 69
LUAS Red Line:? Dublin Zoo is a 15 minute walk from the Heuston Station stop.

From all over Ireland

Dublin Zoo is easily accessible by train and bus services.

                                                           St. Stephen Greens Park

Probably Ireland's best known Victorian public park.Re-opened by Lord Ardilaun in 1880 for the citizens of Dublin. This 9 hectare / 22 acre park has been maintained in the original Victorian layout with extensive perimeter tree and shrub planting, spectacular spring and summer Victorian bedding. The herbaceous border also provides colour from early spring to late autumn. Sanctuary from inclement weather can be obtained in the Victorian lakeside shelter or in the Victorian Swiss shelters in the center of the park. 

Over 3.5 km of pathways are accessible for all users. The waterfall and Pulham rock work on the western side of the green are worth of a visit likewise the ornamental lake which provides a home for waterfowl and a garden for the visually impaired. A number of sculptures are located throughout the green. A children's playground is a popular attraction of the park. Lunchtime concerts are performed during the summer months. 

This 9 hectare park is a sanctuary from the bustle of the city streets with tree lined walks, shrubberies, colourful flowerbeds, herbaceous borders and an ornamental lake. 

There are lunchtime concerts in the summer months. 

Opening Times: 
-Monday-Saturday: 7.30am 'til dusk. 
-Sunday and Holidays: 9.30am 'til dusk. 
-Christmas Day: 10.00am-1.00pm

                                                         Dundrum Shopping Center

The award winning Dundrum Town Centre is situated 5km South of Dublin City Centre. Dundrum has been rejuvenated from a village to a major town centre offering over 120 shops, more than 30 dining venues, from coffee shops to fine dining, 3 bars, a night-club, a 12 screen cinema and a 200 seat state of the art Mill Theatre. Dundrum has won over 20 international and national awards including the RLI Global Award, ISCS European Shopping Centre 2007 and a number of awards in recognition of its customer service ethos. Dundrum also boasts a number of exclusive retail and restaurant venues including Harvey Nichols, House of Fraser, Marks & Spencer, River Island, Next as well as Ireland's first Hugo Boss, Gant and Bose stores. This is a destination not to be missed for the finest retail and leisure experience.

Source: Visitdublin.com

Ireland - Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette

Facts and Statistics

Location: Western Europe, occupying five-sixths of the island of Ireland in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Great Britain
Capital: Dublin
Climate: temperate maritime; modified by North Atlantic Current; mild winters, cool summers; consistently humid; overcast about half the time
Population: 10,348,276 (July 2004 est.)
Ethnic Make-up: Irish 87.4%, other white 7.5%, Asian 1.3%, black 1.1%, mixed 1.1%, unspecified 1.6% (2006 census)
Religions: Roman Catholic 87.4%, Church of Ireland 2.9%, other Christian 1.9%, other 2.1%, unspecified 1.5%, none 4.2% (2006 census)
Government: republic, parliamentary democracy

Language in Ireland

Irish (Gaelic or Irish Gaelic) is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish. Irish is now spoken natively by a small minority of the Irish population – mostly in Gaeltacht areas – but also plays an important symbolic role in the life of the Irish state. It enjoys constitutional status as the national and first official language of the Republic of Ireland and it is an official language of the European Union.

Irish Society and Culture

The Catholic Church

Most people in the country are Roman Catholic. Until the early 1990s the church had a very strong voice in society as well as politics. Their role however has diminished. There is now something of a generational divide with people over 50 still being quite observant and conservative in their views. Religion still very much has a say in society’s view of family, marriage, and abortion.

The Family

The extended family is still very much the dominant social structure although urbanisation is having an impact. Even when family members do move to the cities you will often find their ties to “home” are still very strong.

Humour

The Irish have a reputation for their wit and humour – which they call having a ‘crack’. As well as quick tongued with jokes they also make eloquent and witty speakers. They pride themselves on being able to find humour and it is often self-deprecating or ironic. It is common for the Irish to trade insults and tease one another (called “slagging”) with people to whom they are close. If you are teased, it is important to take it well and not see it as personal. They have a rich history in storytelling which was used to pass information down through the generations (poems and songs also served the same purpose).

Etiquette and Customs in Ireland

Meeting Etiquette

• The basic greeting is a handshake and a hello or salutation appropriate for the time of day.
• Eye contact denotes trust and is maintained during a greeting.
• It is customary to shake hands with older children.
• Greetings tend to be warm and friendly and often turn into conversations.

Gift Giving Etiquette

• In general, the Irish exchange gifts on birthdays and Christmas.
• A gift need not be expensive. It is generally thought in giving something personal that counts.
• If giving flowers, do not give lilies as they are used at religious festivities. Do not give white flowers as they are used at funerals.
• Gifts are usually opened when received.

Visiting a Home

• If you are invited to an Irish home be on time (chances are food has been cooked and being late could spoil it)
• Bring a box of good chocolates, a good bottle of wine for to the host.
• Offer to help with clearing the dishes after a meal.
• Table manners are relatively relaxed and informal.
• The more formal the occasion, the stricter the protocol. When in doubt, watch what others are doing.
• Table manners are Continental, i.e. the fork is held in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating.
• Do not rest your elbows on the table, although your hands should remain visible and not be in your lap.

Business Etiquette and Protocol in Ireland

Meeting and Greeting

• Irish businesspeople are generally less formal and more outwardly friendly than in many European countries.
• Shake hands with everyone at the meeting.
• Handshakes should be firm and confident.
• Shake hands at the beginning and end of meetings.
• Make sure to smile!
• The Irish are generally rather casual and quickly move to first names.
• Business cards are exchanged after the initial introductions without formal ritual.
• Many businesspeople do not have business cards, so you should not be offended if you are not offered one in return.

Communication Style

The Irish have turned speaking into an art form. Their tendency to be lyrical and poetic has resulted in a verbal eloquence. They use stories and anecdotes to relay information and value a well-crafted message. How you speak says a lot about you in Ireland.

The Irish appreciate modesty and can be suspicious of people who are loud and tend to brag. They dislike a superiority complex of any sort. So, for example, when discussing your professional achievements it is best to casually insert the information in short snippets during several conversations rather than embarking on a long self-centred outline of your successes.

Communication styles vary from direct to indirect depending upon who is being spoken to. There is an overall cultural tendency for people to view politeness as more important than telling the absolute truth. This means that you may not easily receive a negative response. When you are being spoken to, listen closely. A great deal may be implied, beyond what is actually being said. For example, if someone becomes silent before agreeing, they have probably said “no”. They may also give a non-committal response. This may be due to the fact that the Gaelic language does not have words for “yes” or “no”. There is a tendency to use understatement or indirect communication rather than say something that might be contentious.

Generally speaking they do not like confrontation and prefer to avoid conflict, which they attempt to avoid by being humorous and showing good manners.

Business Meetings

Company or organisational cultures differ widely in Ireland. As a result you may find meetings vary in their approach and substance. In one setting the purpose of a meeting is to relay information on decisions that have already been made, whereas in another it may be the time to get feedback and input.

Following on from this, meetings may be structured or unstructured. In most cases they will be relaxed. It is customary to have a period of small talk before the actual meeting which is when a rapport is built to take forward into the meeting.

Meetings may occur in several venues, not merely the office. It is quite common to conduct a business meeting in a restaurant or pub. This allows all participants to be on equal footing.

Expect a great deal of discussion at meetings. Everyone is expected to participate and they do, often at great length. The Irish like to engage in verbal banter and pride themselves on being able to view a problem from every angle.

Ireland - Information and Resources

* Currency - the currency of Ireland is the Euro. Use the free currency converter to compare to dollars, GBP, etc.

* Weather - visit Yahoo!'s up to date Weather for Ireland.

* Translation Services - do you need a Gaelic translation service?

* News - check out all the latest Google news on Ireland.

* Dialling Code - the international dialling code for Ireland is +353.

* Time - Ireland is the same as GMT.

Source: kwintessential.co.uk