Fodor's Northern Ireland by Fodor's

Author:Fodor's [Fodor’s]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780307928146
Publisher: Fodor's Travel Publications
Published: 2011-02-16T16:00:00+00:00

Worth Noting in Dublin’s Northside

Abbey Presbyterian Church.

Built on the profits of sin—well, by a generous wine merchant actually—and topped with a soaring Gothic spire, this church anchors the northeast corner of Parnell Square, an area that was the city’s most fashionable address during the gilded days of the 18th-century Ascendancy. Popularly known as Findlater’s Church, after the merchant Alex Findlater, the church was completed in 1864 with an interior that has a stark Presbyterian mood despite stained-glass windows and ornate pews. For a bird’s-eye view of the area, climb the small staircase that leads to the balcony. | Parnell Sq., Northside | Dublin 1 | 01/837–8600 | Free | Hrs vary.

GAA Museum.

The Irish are sports crazy and reserve their fiercest pride for their native games. In the bowels of Croke Park, the main stadium and headquarters of the GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association), this museum gives you a great introduction to native Irish sport. The four Gaelic games (football, hurling, camogie, and handball) are explained in detail, and if you’re brave enough you can have a go yourself. High-tech displays take you through the history and highlights of the games. National Awakening is a really smart, interesting short film reflecting the key impact of the GAA on the emergence of the Irish nation and the forging of a new Irish identity. The exhilarating A Day in September captures the thrill and passion of All Ireland finals day—the annual denouement of the inter-county hurling and Gaelic football seasons—which is every bit as important to the locals as the Super Bowl is to sports fans in the United States. Tours of the stadium, the fourth largest in Europe, are available. | New Stand, Croke Park, North County Dublin | Dublin 3 | 01/855–8176 | museum.gaa.ie | Museum €6, museum and stadium tour €11 | July and Aug., daily 9:30–6; Sept.–June, Mon.–Sat. 9:30–5, Sun. noon–5.

Garden of Remembrance.

Opened 50 years after the Easter Uprising of 1916, the garden in Parnell Square commemorates those who died fighting for Ireland’s freedom. At the garden’s entrance is a large plaza; steps lead down to the fountain area, graced with a sculpture by contemporary Irish artist Oisín Kelly, based on the mythological Children of Lír, who were turned into swans. The garden serves as an oasis of tranquility in the middle of the busy city. | Parnell Sq., Northside | Dublin 1 | Free | Daily 9–5.

Mountjoy Square.

Built over the course of the two decades leading up to 1818, this Northside square was once surrounded by elegant terraced houses. Today only the northern side remains intact. The houses on the once derelict southern side have been converted into apartments. Irishman Brian Boru, who led his soldiers to victory against the Vikings in the Battle of Clontarf in 1014, was said to have pitched camp before the confrontation on the site of Mountjoy Square. Playwright Sean O’Casey lived here, at No. 35, and used the square as a setting for The Shadow of a Gunman.

Rotunda Hospital.

The Rotunda, founded in 1745

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