Great Venues of Dublin

I took the opportunity to visit some of Dublin’s great venues – Kilmainham, Dublin Castle and No 10 Ormond Quay.

The Kilmainham Royal Hospital was built between 1680 and 1686 with the purpose to house single retired veterans. However, in 1922 it became the police barracks and fell into decline. It was one of the first buildings to benefit from Dublin’s restoration program in the 1980s and was reopened in 1991.

Dublin Castle has suffered numerous trials and tribulations over the course of its long history, starting in 1204 when King John ordered it to be built in Dublin. The highest ground in the southeast was chosen; it could be protected on the east or south side. Much of the castle was destroyed in 1684 and rebuilt in the 18th century. Today, its use is primarily ceremonial but visitors can tour the grounds, visit the state apartments and peruse museums.

No 10 Ormond Quay is a private, magnificently furnished Georgian home in the heart of the city overlooking the River Liffey; it is available for special dinners, events or meetings. It has been renovated and brought back to its original grandeur. There are rooms and rooms of antiques but this is not a place where everything is behind glass and velvet ropes where you can only look – no, this is a home where everything is accessible. It was like walking back into time with the history of the pieces and the stories of the house from years past as well as today – it has hosted parties from dignitaries to celebrities. If only those walls could talk …

After an afternoon of touring I went back to the hotel to freshen up prior to going to a friend’s home for a traditional dinner and singing around the family dinner table. It was a nice way to wrap up the day and learn more about the country, its people and its history.

We ended the evening at a pub called Mary Mac’s for a few pints of Guinness and some laughs.