Exploring Dublin City Centre

Liffey River that runs through the centre of Dublin

Early last week I went exploring Dublin City Center which is about 10km from my place. I got up, got ready and went to the bus stop. Took me forever to figure out which bus to get on but when I finally did it was a lovely ride into the city looking at the changing cityscape. I got into Dublin shortly after 1 and decided I needed lunch before going anywhere. Thats when I stumbled on the Queen of Tarts.

Queen of Tarts

Queen of Tarts was super cute and really delicious! That was a curry lentil soup, and a brie and Irish ham sandwich with cabbage. Next I went to Dublin Castle!

Dublin Castle

The private chapel and the remaining tower from the original structure that is being refinished to become a medieval museum to open in 2020.

The Dublin Castle has quite a history. The castle is believed to be the original settlement of the Vikings when they came to Ireland. This is believed based on the ruins found under the tower and at the original moat. Then when the English came to Ireland the Dublin Castle was built as the official residence of the Viceroy of Ireland - the British monarchs representative. It was originally a four tower fortress connected by tall walls. It was completed in 1204 and was mostly destroyed in 1684 when there was a massive fire. Only one tower survived and still stands today. It was then rebuilt to be more of a palace - which is what is we see now. When southern Ireland became independent from Britain in 1922 is when the Castle was handed over by the Viceroy to the government of the new-state. Since then it has been used for state ceremony, such as state dinners and important visitors. All nine of the presidents have had their inaugurations in St.Patricks Hall.

Ruins of medieval tower with evidence of Viking foundation

Front of the Castles Chapel

Stain glass of the chapel

Organ in the Chapel, it is massive but currently doesn't work

Grand staircase of the State Apartments

Ceiling of the state corridor

Throne, it was built for one of the largest kings in British history and then the footstool was added for Queen Victoria as she was so short her feet would dangle off the throne

Chandelier in the throne room of the castle representing England, Ireland and Scotland through the roses, shamrocks and thistles

St.Patrick Hall, where the inaugurations of the presidents take place

A remade former throne that is now the seat for the inauguration. The national symbol of the free state of Ireland is the harp - if it looks familiar it's because it is the reverse of the Guinness symbol as they already held the copy right to the harp in the shape of a D

Courtyard of the Castle

Walking Temple Bar

After leaving Dublin Castle I walked around the area of the Temple Bar. It was a bit too early to go in for dinner so I decided to continue on walking around Dublin and took a walk along the Liffey River.

Kilmainham Gaol

This didn't happen on the same day but it feels appropriate to include in this post! Kilmainham jail was opened in 1796 and closed its doors to prisoners in 1924. It saw everything from people convicted of petty theft to rape and murder. It held political prisoners, men, women and children - the youngest being five years old. There were public hangings and private executions. It was also a holding location for criminals from across Ireland to then be transported to the Australian penal colonies. Take a look at my pictures to see a bit more about this historic place.

Kilmainham exercise yard

Kilmainham Chapel, one prisoner was married here the night before he was executed

Door to a cell in the oldest wing of the jail

This courtyard is where the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising were executed by firing squad. That cross is where James Connolly was killed and across to the other side of the courtyard is another cross where 13 other leaders were executed

This is the balcony where the public hangings took place, there were 140 recorded public hangings between the prisons opening until public executions were banned in 1868

Thank you!

For those who stuck to the end here thanks for following along with my little overview of the complex history of Dublin and by extension Ireland that I discovered on my adventures! Stay tuned for my adventure of the Dublin Zoo coming next!!!

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