Beaumont House

Though only 40 years in existence, no other pub in the treasured archives of Dublin's proud licensed history enjoys a closer bond with the heritage of Guinness. This relationship was born through the person of Arthur Guinness himself who, in 1764, having married Olivia Whitmore (cousin of Henry Grattan), constructed his family demesne in close proximity to the site of the modern pub. He named it Beaumont House.

Some five years earlier this confident young brewer had stepped 'into the dark' by signing a 9000 year lease on the St. James's Gate Brewery and began producing the dark ale that was proving so popular with the 'Porters' of Covent Garden. It was a departure of gigantic visionary proportions that has long since made the names of Guinness and Ireland synonymous.

By kind permission of the proprietor.

Powerscourt House and Gardens

Powerscourt House was gutted by fire in 1974, The Italian Garden designed in 1840’s by Daniel Robertson, took 100 men twelve years to complete. The granite and peddles came from the nearby coastal town of Bray in Co. Wicklow. Many of the trees are native of North America. The Japanese Gardens are on reclaimed bogland laid out by Viscount and Viscountess Powercourt in 1908. The fountain in Triton Lake is based on the fountain in the Piazza Barberini in Rome. The walled gardens have the longest herbaceous border in Ireland in memorial to Julia, the 7^th Viscountess Powercourt. The Busts in the Walled Garden are of great Italian Masters Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Benvenuto Cellini. In the grounds of the estate is the spectacular waterfall almost 400 feet. Since the middle of the 18^th century visitors have been enchanted with it magical spell. It is in all of it glory after a heavy shower. 

Glendalough

Glendalough also known as the Glen of two Lakes it was also know as the city of seven churches. This 6th century monastic settlement in County Wicklow is in a glacial valley with comfortable walks around the lakes. The two lakes came into existence after the ice age; the upper lake is the largest and deeper of the two lakes. Centuries have passed since Saint Kevin founded the site and for 500 years became one of the ecclesiastical schools of learning.

In early Christian Ireland after the attacks and plundering of the Danes (Vikings) it went into decline. Saint Kevin died aged 120 years in 617 A.D. Saint Laurence O'Toole (Lorcán Ua Tuathail) a former abbot of Glendalough in 1163 was to become Archbishop of Dublin. The round tower monument rises nearly 300 meters. In medieval Ireland the round towers served as landmarks, bell towers, storehouses of refuge in times of attach. The door is about three and half meters above ground to protect the people and their treasures.

Ardgillan Demesne Balbriggan

Ardgillan Demesne near Balbriggan Co Dublin consists of the ancient townlands of Kilmainham, Ardgillan and Baltray. O'Casey family later the Earl of Tyrconnell controlled the demesne and district the demesne consists of 194 acres it is a sanctuary for birds and wild life. The Castle was built in 1738 furnished in Georgian and Victorian style. The Castle is the permanent home for exhibition of maps including the 17th century "Down Survey of Ireland"; other facilities include Victorian Conservatory and Tea-rooms. Ardgillan was owned by a wine merchant Robert Usher of Crumlin, Dublin. The property was acquired by one the Headfort Taylors later changed to Taylour. Ardgillan remained the family home for 200 years until 1962. The estate was sold to Heinrick Pott of Germany. In 1982 Dublin County Council purchased Ardgillan Demesne manages by Fingal Council.

Bank of Ireland

The central section of the building was constructed between 1729 and 1739, by architect Edward Lovett Pearce. James Gandon designed the porticoes to the east and west they were added in 1785 and 1797. The curving walls and Forster Place annexe was put in place by Francis Johnston in 1803 when the building was converted to be used as a bank.

In the eighteenth century the wealthy Protestant ascendancy controlled the Irish Parliament which led to a growing feeling of Independence from Britain, which ultimately led to the formation of the United Irishmen and the unsuccessful rising in 1798. With the passing of the Act of Union the centre of power of the Irish Parliament was shifted to London. The building was sold to the Bank of Ireland on condition that it never be used for political assembly.

The parliament consisted of two chambers the House of Commons now the Banking Mall the House of Lords survive to this day. The building is open to the public during normal banking hours.

Trinity College

Trinity College, Dublin Trinity College is the oldest university in Ireland. Founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth 1, and celebrated 400 years in 1992. The college is famed for the great treasures it has the honour to be guardian of. These include the Book of Kells, a 9th century illuminated manuscript, the book of Durrow and Armagh and an early Irish harp.

Christ Church Cathedral

Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin’s Viking cathedral was built around 1038 for the Norse king of Dublin Sitric Silkenbeard; it became a priory for the Benedictines at the end of the eleventh century. Dúnán was appointed first bishop of Dublin. Here also is the chapel of Saint Laurence O'Toole (Lorcán Ua Tuathail) a former abbot of Glendalough in 1163.

The wooden structure was rebuilt in stone by the Anglo-Norman between 1173 and 1220.

Richard de Clare, Earl of Pembroke (Strongbow), leader of the Cambro-Normans captures Dublin in 1176. He was buried here in Cathedra in 1170. The original tomb was destroyed when the roof collapsed in 1162: the monument was central for business life in Dublin for the payment of rents; a new monument had to be provided. An effigy of an unknown knight was brought in to replace it.

For centuries the Cathedral was the place of worship for the British establishment in Ireland. Richard II was knighted in 1395 in the Cathedral and it was here that the pretender Lambert Simnel was crowned Edward VI of England on 24^th May 1487

Christ Church Cathedral Leaflet 1999

St Patricks Cathedral

It is believed St Patrick baptised people at a well that once existed in the park converting them to Christianity. To commemorate this advent a small wooden church was built near the cathedral. The granite stone which covered the well was rediscovered in 1901 marked with Celtic cross and later moved into the Cathedral.

Dublin had four Celtic churches on this site known as St Patrick's of Insula an island between branches of the River Poddle which flows under the cathedral to this day. In 1191 the Normans built a church of stone on this site, the building you see to day was rebuilt in 13th century, the west tower was rebuilt by Archbishop Minot in 1370 after a fire and the spire was added in 1749. Jonathan Swift was Dean from 1713-1745. Handel's Messiah received its first performance in Dublin in 1742 sung by the combined choirs of St Patrick's and Christ Church Cathedrals.

Dublin Castle

Dublin City got its name from the Black Pool:”Dubh Lnn” which was on the site of the present Castle Garden, in Dublin Castle. In 930 Viking Fortress stood on this site a portion of which is on view to visitors at the "Undercroft”, they built fortifications at the junction of the River Liffey and its tributary, the now underground River Poddle. The Norman picked “Dublin Castle” as their stronghold, stone walls and ditches in the proper sense of the word.

The largest visible fragment of the original 13th century Norman Castle is the Record Tower in the very heart of historic Dublin. The English completed it in 1230, the Great Court Yard appears closely to these fortifications and the Record Tower is the last intact medieval tower in Dublin. In Tudor time it was a high security prison.

The Parliament met in the Great Hall before it was burnt down in the fire of 1684. Later the Parliament moved to College Green in 1731. The Court Exchequer and the Court of Law also met in the Castle. The repository of the Royal Treasury, Royal Mint, armaments factories and weapons stores as well as the police and army were also in Dublin Castle.

For more than 700 years it was the centre of the English colonial administration in Ireland until the formation of the Irish Republic in 1921. The magnificent State Apartments is now the venue for Ireland's Presidencies of the European Community, Presidential Inaugurations, and State Functions.

Newbridge House

Newbridge House, Donabate Co. Dublin an 18th century manor on 350 acres of park land appears as it did 150 years ago. Each room has it own style of furniture and antique. The house was designed by Richard Castle for the Archbishop of Dublin and built in 1737. The courtyard is fully restored; estate worker's houses, carpenter's shop and blacksmith forge all displaying the tools of the period. The traditional farm complete with farmyard animals.

Malahide Castle

Malahide Castle, Malahide Co Dublin, close to the town Malahide on 250 areas estate, is the oldest historic castle in Ireland. Richard Talbot a knight accompanied Henry II to Ireland in 1177 he was granted the harbour and lands of Malahide. The only exception was when Oliver Cromwell granted the land to Miles Corbet between 1649 and 1660. After Cromwell conquest of Ireland Miles Corbet was hanged following the demise of Cromwell, the castle was restore to the Talbots

The house has a large collection of portrait painting from the National Library and period furniture. In the Great Hall the history of the family is records.

Marsh's Library

Marsh's Library beside St Patrick's Cathedral and the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham were both designed by Sir William Robinson architect at the time. It is the oldest public library in Ireland it was built by Archbishop Narcissus Marsh in 1701. Bookcases in the library are carved in dark oak; since it was built in the 17th century this beautiful library remains unchanged.