All posts by Seán Silke

Teeling Whiskey Distillery Tour

Teeling Whiskey Distillery

Dublin A to Z, Entertainment, Historical, Museums, Tours

Dublin has traditionally been the heart of the Irish whiskey industry. During Walter Teeling’s time (the late 1700s), there were over 37 different distilleries in Dublin. The Liberties area of Dublin in particular was recognised as the epicentre for Dublin whiskey and was dubbed the ‘Golden Triangle’ due to the number of distilleries clustered in a one mile radius.

During the 19th century Dublin whiskey became globally recognised as the premier whiskey in the world. Renowned for its smooth and unique character, it sold at a premium to other types of whiskey. As a result of this success, some of the largest distilleries in the world emerged from these small craft Dublin distillers. Unfortunately, when Irish whiskey fell on hard times, so did distilling in Dublin and the last still ran cold in 1976.

The Teeling Family has been crafting Irish whiskey since 1782. Walter Teeling originally set up a craft distillery on Marrowbone Lane, Dublin, starting a 230-year family tradition. Jack and Stephen Teeling currently carry on the family’s legacy. The Teeling Whiskey Distillery is the first new distillery in Dublin in over 125 years and is bringing the craft back into the heart of Dublin city centre. Located in the ancient market square of Newmarket, an area long associated with brewing and distilling, the new distillery is a three copper pot still operation, reviving the traditional style of Dublin whiskey distillation.

Teeling whiskeys stay true to the family tradition of quality over quantity. From grain to bottle, many hands are involved in the small batch production process to ensure that each bottle of Teeling is crafted to the highest standard possible. Through taking more time and using innovative cask maturation techniques, the young team of craftsmen is producing small batch bottlings of unique Irish whiskeys. The goal is to retain the drinkability of Irish whiskey but bring in new and interesting flavours to complement the naturally smooth and sweet taste of Irish whiskey.

Open to visitors since June 2015, the Teeling Whiskey Distillery has already won the “Experience of the Year” award from the Luxury Travel Guide. The Distillery also houses a retail space and café.

Opening Hours:
Open 7 days: 11pm – 6pm
Tasting tours start every 20 minutes.
There is a selection of tours available to book online.
Phoenix Café open weekdays 8am – 4pm, weekends and Bank Holidays 10am – 6pm.

Contact & Pricing:
teelingwhiskey.com
[email protected]
Tel: 01 531 0888
13-17 Newmarket, Dublin 8
From €20 per person, including whiskey tasting.

Trinity College

Trinity College Dublin

Dublin A to Z, Exhibitions, Historical, Libraries

Trinity College Dublin  was founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I and is an atmospheric 40-acre site in the heart of the city. Treasures on view include the Book of Kells; the Books of Durrow and Armagh; and an early Irish harp. All are displayed in the Treasury and the Old Library/Long Room (which houses 200,000 rare books).

The Book of Kells is Ireland’s greatest cultural treasure and is the world’s most famous medieval manuscript. The 9th Century book is a richly decorated copy of the four Gospels of the life of Jesus Christ.  A must-see is the  Book of Kells “Turning Darkness into Light” exhibition.

Enjoy student-led walking tours through the four historical squares of the campus. Lasting 45 minutes, the tour provides visitors with an insight into the more than 400-year history of the College, its buildings, its traditions and its life today.  All of the guides are knowledgeable and enthusiastic students of Trinity College Dublin.

Opening Hours:
Apr to Sept –
Mon to Sat: 8:30am – 5pm
Sunday: 9:30am to 5pm
Oct to Mar –
Mon to Sat: 9.30am – 5pm
Sunday: 12pm – 4.30pm
Online booking is strongly recommended for the Book of Kells and entry is timed.

Contact & Pricing:
visittrinity.ie
[email protected]
Tel: 01 896 1000
Trinity Library, College Street, Dublin 2
Trinity Trails Campus Tour only – Adults €16; concessions
Book of Kells and Old Library – Adults €19; concessions
Book of Kells/Old Library and Trinity Campus Tour – Adults €33.50; concessions

Trinity College Zoological Museum

Trinity College Zoological Museum

Dublin A to Z, Exhibitions, For Kids, Museums

Getting your picture taken through the jaws of a shark and feeling the might of a crocodile’s teeth are just some of the thrills on offer at Trinity College’s Zoological Museum. This 250-year old collection houses 25,000 specimens. Despite over two centuries of disruption and change, much of the collection remains intact and provides a vital undergraduate teaching resource for the Department of Zoology.

The Zoological Museum holds some of the most amazing creatures on the planet.

  • Don’t miss the tragic tale of Ireland’s Last Great Auk. Extinct since 1844, only a handful of these beautiful birds survive in museums today.
  • Meet Prince Tom, the ‘Royal’ elephant who travelled the world with Queen Victoria’s son, Prince Alfred.
  • Have your photograph taken through the jaws of a Great White Shark.
  • Admire the world-renowned delicate glass artworks of sea creatures crafted by father and son team Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the 19th century.
  • Keep clear of the giant Gavial – Is it as fierce as it looks?
  • Hold one of the world’s strangest teeth – What animal do you think it’s from?
  • Look out for the Tasmanian wolf – Is it really extinct?

Opening Hours:
Currently closed until mid-June, exact dates TBC.
June, July & August only: Mon-Sun: 10.30am – 4pm
Exact opening and closing days vary, check the website for confirmation.

Contact & Pricing:
tcd.ie/zoology/museum
[email protected]
Tel: 01 896 1366
Admission €4

Viking Splash

Viking Splash

Dublin A to Z, For Kids, Historical, Tours

The Viking Splash is a pretty unique land and water tour of Dublin. Featuring engaging tour guides and authentic World War II military amphibious vehicles which go on both land and water, this is a deservedly popular tour. Entering the sea at Grand Canal Harbour is a spectacular experience.

The route takes in most of the major sights in the south city (Trinity College, Christ Church Cathedral, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Viking/Medieval/Georgian Dublin, Government buildings, Dublin Docklands). The vehicle is open-sided so expect to get a little wet.

Opening Hours:
Jun to Sept: 10am – 6.30pm
Tours run every 30 minutes.

Tour availability varies the rest of the year.
Advance booking is strongly advised.

Departure point – St. Stephens Green North (directly opposite Starbucks / Dawson Street).

Contact & Pricing:
vikingsplashdublin.ie
[email protected]
Tel: 01 224 3852
Adults €35; concessions (Prices vary between high and low seasons)

War Memorial Garden

War Memorial Gardens

Dublin A to Z, Gardens, Historical

These gardens are one of the most famous memorial gardens in Europe. They are dedicated to the memory of 49,400 Irish soldiers who died in the 1914 – 1918 war. The names of all the soldiers are contained in the beautifully illustrated Harry Clarke manuscripts in the granite book rooms in the gardens.

These gardens are not only a place of remembrance but are also of great architectural interest and beauty. They are one of four gardens in this country designed by the famous architect Sir Edwin Lutyens (1869-1944). The others are Heywood Gardens, Lambay Island and Howth Castle.

Sunken rose gardens, herbaceous borders and extensive tree planting make for an enjoyable visit to the gardens in any season.

Opening Hours:
Opens at – Mon to Fri: 8am, Sat & Sun 10am
Closes – varies according to daylight hours

 Free guided tours may be available, contact the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre for details.

Contact & Pricing:
heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/irish-national-war-memorial-gardens
[email protected]
[email protected]
Tel: 01 475 7816
South Circular Rd, Islandbridge, Dublin 8
Admission free

Windmill Lane Studio One

Windmill Lane Recording Studios

Dublin A to Z, Entertainment, Tours

Opened by Brian Masterson and James Morris in 1978, the studios were originally located on Windmill Lane, where the buildings came to be known for the graffiti painted on them by U2 fans from all over the world.

From rock to rap, from AC/DC to 50 Cent, global superstars as well as local breakouts come to record at what we’ve built into the premier audio production house in Ireland and one of the most renowned in the world. Housed today in an iconic Art Deco building on Ringsend Road, the studio stands out as much for what you will discover inside. Comprising three state-of-the-art recording studios, our largest studio can accommodate an 80-piece orchestra.

The tour presents visitors with an intimate opportunity to understand the creation and production of the most iconic songs and albums by some of the most influential bands and artists of the past 40 years.

Please note, Windmill Lane Recording Studios is not a walk-in visitor centre or museum. It is a busy, working recording studio where client privacy is paramount. Book in advance in order to avoid disappointment.

Opening Hours:
Office Hours: 10am – 5pm 7 days a week
Entry is by guided tour only, and tours must be booked online before arrival.
Tours generally run Thursday to Sunday, but there may be restrictions if the studio is closed or booked for private recording sessions.
Tours run at 4pm, 5pm & 6pm on Thursday & Friday, and at 11am, 12pm, 2pm &3pm on Saturday & Sunday.
Guided tour lasts 50 – 60 minutes.
To see current availability, visit the website below.

Contact & Pricing:
windmilllanerecording.com
[email protected]
Tel: 01 668 5567
20 Ringsend Road, Dublin 4
Adults €22; concessions

Architecture Tours-Henrietta St

Architecture Tours

Dublin A to Z, Historical, Tours

Architecture Tours Ireland is a joint enterprise between the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland and the Irish Architecture Foundation. The group organises informative walking tours of Dublin’s built environment.

Public architecture tours are unavailable for the foreseeable future (as of September 2023).
In the past, four tours took place every weekend – the Temple Bar tour, the Docklands tour, the Living City tour and the Georgian tour – but now group tours are arranged by prior appointment only (minimum of 15 persons, maximum of 25 persons). The cost is roughly €11.50 per person.

Contact:
riai.ie/discover-architecture/architecture-tours
Tel: 01 6761703

Trinity College

Big Bus Tours (City Sightseeing) Hop On Hop Off Tour

Dublin A to Z, Historical, Tours

Multiple ticket types and tour packages are available, which can be valid for 24, 48 or 72 hours.

Scheduling:
The main “Red Route”, runs every 15 – 20mins from 9am – 5.00pm, 7 days a week.
Starting at the tour office on O’Connell Street, there are 23 stops at major tourist attractions across the city centre.
Ticket holders can get on/off a bus at any stop during the operating hours.

All buses have live English speaking guides, and pre-recorded audio guides in 8 different languages. A guided walking tour is included with all tickets.

Some tickets include additional night and/or coastal tours, which are not “hop-on, hop-off”, and must be booked in advance. These tours can also be booked separately on their own.

Schedules may be altered occasionally, it is advised to download the free app, or check the latest service information for any schedule updates.

Contact & Pricing:
bigbustours.com/en/dublin/dublin-bus-tours
Tel: 01 531 1711
Big Bus Tours, 13 Upper O’Connell Street, Dublin 1
Adults from €32 (discount if booked online); concessions

Dublin Bay Cruises

Dublin Bay Cruises

Dublin A to Z, Tours

Dublin Bay Cruises is the only regular passenger ferry operating on Dublin Bay and offers a daily service with different cruise options to choose from.

Two especially attractive routes are –

Dublin City to Howth via Dun Laoghaire
Cruise south from the City to Dun Laoghaire Harbour, taking in the Convention Centre, the East Link Bridge, Dublin Port and Docklands, Poolbeg Lighthouse, Clontarf and the Bull Island wildlife reserve, the Baily and Kish Lighthouses, Howth Head, Ireland’s Eye, Lambay Island and Howth Harbour. The cruise lasts 150 minutes.

Dun Laoghaire to Dalkey Island, returning via Killiney Bay
Set sail on a 75 minute cruise, heading south past the James Joyce Martello Tower, the Forty Foot, Bullock Harbour, Dalkey Island and Collimore Harbour, Sorrento Point, and Killiney Bay. The ship is regularly joined by a group of dolphins.

The vessel has a capacity for 120 passengers.
Tickets can be purchased on arrival, but advance booking is recommended.

Scheduling:
Sailings start on March 17, and finish in mid-October.
Cruises do not run on Mondays.

A range of cruise options are available, one-way and return.
There are 4 pick-up/drop-off points, including 2 in the city centre,

Prices and pick-up times vary, but the majority cost €25 one-way. It may be possible to book a discounted return journey on some routes, alternatively, a discounted DART ticket is offered.

No booking is required for children aged 3 and under.

Contact & Pricing:
dublinbaycruises.com
[email protected]
Tel: 01 9011 757
East Pier, Dun Laoghaire Harbour, Co. Dublin
From €25 one-way; concessions