Connolly Station

Opened in 1844 as Amien St Station, the main station serving the city's northside at
the time and connecting to Belfast from 1853.
Named after James Connolly from 1966, one of the leaders of the 1916 rising and a
leading figure in Ireland's labour movement of the time.
Redeveloped in the late 1990s to include the Luas terminal and larger number of
services.

The Spire

The Spire aka The Monument of Light, made of stainless steel, stands 121.2 m tall,
designed by Ian Richie Architects. Manafactured in Waterford, first piece was
installed in Dec 2002, final section added in Jan 2003.
Elongated cone, standing at 3m diameter at base, narrowing to 15cm at the tip.
Top 12m are lit at night.
It is the world's tallest sculpture.

The Spire was commissioned as part of a rejuvenation of O Connell St in 1999. Built on the
site of Nelson's Column, a large granite column celebrating Nelson's victory at Trafalgarin
1805. The pillar was first erected in 1809. It was blown up in the 1966 by an unofficial
branch of the IRA. A statue/fountain representing Anna Livia was on the site since 1988
when the city celebrated it's millenium, it was moved in 2001 to make way for the Spire.
The GPO

Opened in January 1818, designed by Francis Johnson. Features a classic doric

portico which stands 67.1m tall (220 ft.) Features statues of Mercury, Hibernia and
Fidelity. The pediment featured a royal coat of arms until the restoration in 1920.
It was the centre for the Rebels during the 1916 Rising which started on 24 April
(Easter Monday) and continued through that week. The proclamation of the
Republic was read outside before the fighting started, and a number of building
throughout the city were taken over. The Rebels seized the GPO as a way to
blockade communication between Ireland and Britain which worked very effectively.
However as fighting continued through the week and civilian casualties increased,
the leaders decided to surrender to the British to prevent further deaths.
In commemoration of the Rising, a statue depicting the death of the mythical hero
Cchulainn sculpted by Oliver Sheppard in 1911 was sited at the command post in
the centre of the GPO main hall and is now housed in the front of the building. The
statue was featured on the Irish ten shilling coin of 1966, marking the fiftieth
anniversary of the Rising.

O Connell Bridge

Formerly Carlisle Bridge, it was designed by James Gandon 1791-1794, constructed

in granite with a Portland stone balustrade. Rebuilt in 1877 1880, it's now 45m
long and 50m wide said to the only bridge in Europe that is wider than it is long.
Renamed O Connell bridge in 1882 after Daniel O Connell whose statue stands at
the end of O Connell St.
Statue by John Henry Foley, unveiled in 1882. DOC also known as the Liberator, was
a lawyer and politician in the 19thC that fought for Catholic emancipation allowing
the right to sit in Parliament and having the Act of Union repealed. He was opposed
to violence, condemning Emmet's rebellion of 1803, perhaps due to having fought a
duel with John D'Esterre in 1815. O Connell mortally wounded D'Esterre in the duel
(hitting him in the hip the bullet late lodged in his stomach). Haunted by the
incident, O Connell continued to pay an allowance to D'Esterre's daughter for 30
years after.
The Custom House, neoclassical design by James Gandon, 1781 1791. Gandon's

first major commission in the city. He's also responsible for the Four Courts, Kings
Inn and part of the BOI Headquarters. Decorated with the coat of arms and
ornamental sculptures representing Ireland's rivers by Edward Smyth. Henry Banks
responsible for statue on the dome. Made from Portland Stone, dome collapsed in a
fire during the War of Independence in 1921. Rebuilt using Irish Ardbraccan
limestone. As the port moved further south the building became a centre for local
government in the city and is now home to the Dept of the Environment,
Community and Local Government.
The Ha'penny Bridge (officially the Liffey Bridge) built in 1816 from cast iron. Cast in
Shropshire, orignally was a toll bridge, costing half a penny to cross as that was the
price for the ferry that was previously used to cross the river. The charge was
dropped in 1919. For a while it became fashionable to add a love lock to the bridge,
however they were removed by the Council in 2012 as they claimed the locks were
too heavy for the bridge to support.
Samuel Beckett Bridge, designed by Santiago Calatrava, officially opened in 2009.
The design is that of a harp resting on it's side and it has quickly become one of the
city's landmarks.

Bank of Ireland, College Green/Houses of Parliament

Originally designed by Edward Lovett Pearce in 1729 to house the Irish parliament.
First purpose-built two chamber houses of parliament in the world. Additional wing
added later by James Gandon, including blind windows due to Window tax, may
have been intended to house statues. However the Act of Union of 1800 meant the
buildings were soon unnecessary and the building was sold to the Bank of Ireland in
1803, who used it as their headquarters till 1970. The House of Lords is still open to
visitors but the building is in use as a bank. Beside the bank is the original site of
the Irish Mint.

Trinity College

Officially the University of Dublin, Trinity College, founded by royal decree (Elizabeth
I) in 1592. Ireland's oldest university and one of the most well respected. Originally
built on the grounds of an old monastry, outside the city walls, now completely
surrounded by the city. Current grounds approx 190,000 m2. Graduate include
writers; Jonathan Swift, Oscar Wilde, John Millington Synge, Bram Stoker, Samuel
Beckett, JP Dunleavey scientists; Oliver Goldsmith, William Campbell (Nobel
Laureate medicine)and Ernest Walton (Nobel laureate for Physics 1951) politicians
and Irish rebels Henry Grattan, Robert Emmet and Wolf Tone and three Presidents of
Ireland. (Douglas Hyde, Mary Robinson and Mary McAleese)
Catholics were prohibited from entering the college until 1793, due to O Connell's
Catholic Emapncipation however the college wasn't fully open to Catholics until the
1970s, due to a ban from Irish Archbishops.
The West Front (1752 1759). At the time a Window Tax was implemented in Britain
and Ireland with the result that many buildings blanked out their windows. The law
wasn't repealed until 1851, no evidence that Trinity ever covered its windows so
they must have been exempt of simply paid the tax. The Front Gate was established
in early 1870s replacing the original gate which dated back to 1759. Door is made
of European oak, only fully opened on ceremoinal occassions. Constructed of
Portland Stone, and based off designs by Sir William Chambers. Neo-classical
Corinthian pilasters with a large Venetian style window.
Medicine taught since 1711 but only officially recognised in 1800, The Law School
began in Trinity from c.1850s. School of Engineering established in 1842 was one of
the first of its kind in Ireland and Britain.
The campus is designed around a series of squares, Parliament Square being the
main square as you enter. The Rubrics are the oldest building on campus dating
back to c.1700, were originally and still are halls of residence. Most associated with
the murder of a fellow, Edward Ford in 1734.He was an unpopular character on
campus and on the night of the 7 March 1734, scolded some students for berating

the night porter as they returned to campus. The students went to their rooms to
plot revenge and after midnight returned to thow stones at Ford's window, breaking
some of the panes. He in return, fired his pistol at the students injuring one of
them. He then told the others to fetch a porter, however they went to their own
rooms to collect their own pistols. Ignoring the advice of another fellow to go to bed
and ignore the students, Ford returned to his window and was shot several times by
the students in the head and body. He was brought downstairs to receive medical
treatment but died hours later, he is said to have asked for the boys to be forgiven
with his dying breath. He is rumoured to haunt the Rubrics in his night gown and
cap.
The Old Library was built in 1712 - 32, followed by the Printing House and Dining
Hall. The Public Theatre (Exam Hall) (1777- 1786) and Chapel (1787 -1798) were
designed to perfectly mirror each other from afar by William Chambers. The Old
Library by Thomas Burgh, houses the famous Long Room and the Book of Kells. It is
home to many very old and rare manuscripts and documents, as well as Brian
Boru's harp. One of three medieval Gaelic harps which are the national symbol of
Ireland.
As a legal deposit library, Trinity is entitled to a copy of every book published in
Britain and Ireland receiving on average 100,000 books a year. The Library consists
of over 5 million books, 3 million of which are kept in Stacks in Santry.
The Graduates Memorial Building, neo-Gothic style, begun 1897 opened in 1903,
designed by Sir Thomas Drew. Originally built to replace residential buildings
known as Rotten Row and to celebrate the university's 300th anniversary. It's home
to some of the college's oldest socities and was used in the film Educating Rita. As
were Michael Collins, Circle of Friends, The First Great Train Robbery and others.
The Campanile, designed by Sir Charles Lanyon with sculptures by Thomas Kirk,
finished in 1853. Bell tower on campus goes back to the old monastry. 30.5 m tall,
mainly built of granite but statues are Portland stone. Each arch has a keystone
which represent Homer, Socrates, Plato and Demosthenes. The statues on each
corner represent the Higher Faculties; Divinity, Science, Medicine and Law. The bell
only rings on two occassions; before dinner every evening and before exams. For
that reason and the superstition that if you pass under the Campanile as the bell
rings you will fail your exams, it isn't always popular with students.
Museum Building (1853 7), designed by Deane and Woodward with sculptures by
the O Shea brothers. Also did the Alliance Francaise on Dawson St. Loved by critic
John Ruskin, based on Venetian designs and uses polychromatic marbles native to
Ireland. With Ruskin's influence they were hired to design the Oxford Museum.
There are seven carvings that relate specifically to Aesop's Fables, and one
(considered to be the most important) which refers to Charles Darwin and Evolution.
Physics and Botany buildings added to the East End of campus due to the
philanthropy of the Guinness family c.1903 1906.
The Berkely Library, 1967 by Ahrends Burton Koralek one of the first examples of
Architecture Brut, follows Le Corbusier's ideas on truth of material in its poured
concrete, markings of wooden supports are visible. Glass is one piece of curved
cast glass, estimated to cost c. 10,000 a pane. Globe is by Arnadlo Pomodoro
1982-83 called 'Sphere with Sphere', many don't realise that it's designed to move.

Molly Malone

Most popular with tourists, statue of the fictional character from the song. Statue by
Jeanne Ryanhart was presented to the city by the Jury's hotel group and unveiled in
1988 during the millenial celebrations when they also declared 13 June as Molly
Malone day.
Used to stand at the bottom of Grafton St but was moved in 2012 to make way for
the Luas works, expected to return to her original site in 2017.
Although seen as a traditional song, scholars argue that it most likely dates to the
19thC. The song isn't published before 1883 (in Cambridge, Mass.) A London edition
published in 1884, suggests the song was first published in Edinburgh and

attributes it to James Yorkston with an arrangement by Edmund Foreman, but no

copies survive. The popular song presents Molly as a 17thC fish seller who dies
young of a fever, however there is speculation that it may be code for her being a
prostitute and that the 'cockles and mussels' she sells are sexually transmitted
infections.
City Hall

Originally the Royal Exchange, built between 1769 1779, by Thomas Cooley. Ends
the street scape of Parliament St, which continues across the river to Capel St. By
the Essex Bridge. Built of Portland Stone with impressive plaster work inside by
Charles Thorpe.
Contains a central domed Rotunda, where merchants could meet and discuss
business as it was close to the (then) Custom House in Temple Bar. In the 1850s it
was bought by the city for city government, renamed City Hall in 1852.
Recently restored to its original 18thC appearance, but most City Council business
takes place at the Civic Offices on Wood Quay.

Dublin Castle

Generally the seat of British rule in Ireland until 1922, especially after the Act of
Union 1800. Now largely government buildings, including Revenue offices and
State apartments. The Castle was handed over in Dec 1921 to the provisional
government of Ireland led by Michael Collins.
Originally built as a Norman stronghold for defence it evolved into a royal residence
for the Viceroy of Ireland. Parliament and the Law courts met here (except when in
the Houses of Parliament) and after being handed over to the Free State in '21, it
became the centre for the courts as the Four Courts was badly damaged during the
Civil War. Inauguration of the first President (and all since), Dougla Hyde took place
in the Castle in 1931. It also now hosts official State visits and acts as the centre for
the EU Presidency whenever Ireland holds it. (Approx. Every 10 years)
First founded in 1204 by Meilher Fitzhenry on the orders of King John of England,
largely completed by 1230. In typical Norman design it was based around a large
square with no keep, and very think defensive walls. The most significant addition
to the Castle during the Middle Ages was the Great Hall, which survived till 1673
when it was damaged by fire. Another fire in 1684 led to a lot of rebuilding when it
was transformed from a medieval castle to a Georgian palace. The only surviving
building of the mediveal caste is the Record Tower c. 1228-30, but its battlements
are a 19thC addition.
Since 1922 it has ceased to be an administrative centre. The Crypt of the Chapel
Royal is now used as an arts centre and the Castle grounds often host concerts and
are largely open to the public with the exception of during state ceremonies.
The State Apartments are the former residence of the Viceroy of Ireland and are
now largely used for official engagements and State visits. They include St Patrick's
Hall, formerly the Viceroy's ballroom and used for Presidential inaugerations. It's
one of the oldest rooms of the castle with decoration dating back to the 1790s. The
oldest room in the Castle is the State Dining Room, which largely retains its original
decoration. It dates back to the 1740s when the State Apartments were built and is
largely used for entertaining visting dignatries.

Temple Bar

Developed as Dublin's 'cultural centre' in the 1980s, it was inspired by Paris' Left
bank but is largely now the centre of the city's tourist culture.
Often said to have got its name from the Temple family, one of whom Sir William
Temple was Provost of Trinity College. The family's house and gardens were in the
area in the 17thC but it seems more likely that the name is adopted from the
Temple Bar area in London.

Fishamble St near the end of Temple Bar is the oldest street in Dublin dating back to
the original Viking settlement c. 988. It was originally the site of a fish market and
was host to the first performance of Handel's Messiah in April 1742. A performance
of the Messiah is held annually at Christmas in celebration of the fact.
In the 1980s buildings in the area were let at low rents to encourage artists and
cultural projects to take up residence. This was supported by Taoiseach Charles
Haughy providing funding to develop arts in the area and many gallaries and art
spaces are still resident in the area e.g Temple Bar Gallery and Studios, the Ark
Project centre, Meeting House Square with the IFI and National Photographic Archive
and New Theatre and the Project Arts centre.
Temple Bar is most popular with tourists, especially at night with many pubs
catering for visitor's tastes. Most Dubliners however, prefer to drink in the George's
St/Camden St area just south of Temple Bar itself.
At weekends Temple Bar Square(Plaza) hosts a book market while Meeting House Sq
is home to a food market and during summer months hosts open air film screenings
(although a covering is in place in case of rain).