Buildings not to miss when driving around Dublin
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From industrial landmarks, to modern glass structures, to grand civic buildings, interesting landmarks are ten a penny in Dublin and you are sure to come across many places you will want to stop off at as you drive around this fantastic city. To get you in the mood, here are a few places you shouldn’t miss.
Trinity College
The grand façade of Trinity College is one of Dublin’s most iconic sites and it’s just a stone’s throw away from Grafton Street, Dublin’s busiest shopping hub which features high street favourites plus the upscale department store Brown Thomas, an iconic building in itself. To mingle with the students on St Stephen’s Green before enjoying a spot of retail therapy, it’s best to ditch the car. If you’re interested in finding out more about the history of Trinity College, you can pay for a tour of the campus, library and the famous Book of Kells.
Convention Centre Dublin
Even if you’re not in town for a business seminar, you can’t miss the unique structure of the Convention Centre Dublin as you drive through the Docklands area. Completed in 2010, this curved behemoth with its bold glass frontage has won multiple awards and is the first carbon neutral convention centre in the world. A symbol of modern Ireland, it attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world every year.
Kilmainham Gaol
The fact that this is not a grand or beautiful building reflects that it represents a darker side to Dublin’s history.With its austere brick walls and tiny windows, there is no mistaking its purpose. Opened as the County Gaol in 1796, it housed all kinds of prisoners; however it is strongly associated with Ireland’s political struggles, most notably the Easter Rising of 1916. Today, as one of Dublin’s most popular tourist attractions, it is well worth a visit for its eerie and evocative atmosphere.
St James’s Gate Brewery
A visit to Dublin isn’t complete without taking in the home of Guinness. If you’re interested in finding out more about the history of Ireland’s most famous export, and indeed sampling the black stuff in a fantastic glass-walled bar with panoramic views of the city, it’s well worth stopping off at the Guinness Storehouse, one of Dublin’s premier tourist attractions. St James’s Gate, with its towering brick chimneys is wonderfully evocative of Dublin’s brewing heritage.
The Custom House
This grand neoclassical 18th century building is resplendent on the north bank of the River Liffey on Custom House Quay. A prominent Dublin landmark since 1791, it was lovingly restored after being burnt down during the Irish War of Independence in 1921. These days, it houses government offices but if you’re keen to find out more, you can drop in on the visitor centre located in the iconic dome.
Merrion Square
This city centre square is a fabulously preserved example of Dublin’s Georgian heritage. The striking square is famous for its three sides of tall red-brick townhouses, with their imposing, brightly-painted front doors. The remaining side is home to the Irish Parliament’s home, Leinster House, a building that inspired the design of the White House, and the Natural History Museum and the National Gallery of Ireland.If you’re not in the mood for a history lesson, you can always stretch your legs in the park in the middle of the square.
Car hire at Dublin Airport
Green Motion has a branch at Dublin Airport, so it couldn’t be simpler to rent an electric or hybrid car on your next trip to the Emerald Isle.
Green Motion prides itself in enabling travellers to ensure their impact on the environment is kept to a minimum. If you would like to hire an electric, hybrid or low-emissions car, use our online booking system to browse the wide range of options available to you at Dublin Airport.
