Attractions in O'Connell Street and environs (Dublin)

General Post Office

Designed by Francis Johnston in 1818, the General Post Office (GPO) on O'Connell Street is known as the site of the 1916 Easter Rising. Irish Volunteers seized the building on Easter Monday and for six days held out against the British until the GPO was set on fire. The building was completely restored in 1929. Inside, stands a bronze statue depicting the death of the mythical Irish warrior Cuchulainn, dedicated to those who died in the uprising. The GPO has acquired iconic status; demonstrations and protests are often held outside.

Garden of Remembrance

Opened by President Eamon de Valera in 1966 for the fiftieth anniversary of the Easter Rising, this rather austere park serves as a fitting tribute to its martyred leaders. Daithi Hanly designed the lawns, which encircle a mosaic-tiled pool. The mosaic depicts swords, shields and arms, all broken to represent peace. At one end of the park stands a bronze statue of the Children of Lir, sculpted by Oisin Kelly. The children are an important part of Irish folklore - according to legend, they were turned into swans by their jealous stepmother for 900 years. They became human again after this time but, frail and weak, died soon afterwards. To this day, killing a swan in Ireland is illegal.

Abbey Theatre

Founded in 1904 by W.B. Yeats and Lady Gregory, the Abbey is Ireland's national theater and remains a crucial promoter of established and emerging Irish playwrights. The theater's early years saw much controversy: the 1926 premiere of O'Casey's 'The Plough and the Stars' upset nationalist sensibilities and provoked Yeats to personally rebuke the audience, who felt offended by the depiction of the 1916 nationalist movement. Although generally less controversial these days, new Irish plays are still staged in the basement theater, the Peacock. The theater's Abbey Street premises has been open since 1961, but changes are afoot. The management is currently considering a move south of the river.

Gate Theatre

Hilton Edwards and Micheal MacLiammoir first founded the Gate Theater in 1928. It is housed in the annex of the magnificent Rotunda building on the top of O'Connell Street. The company generally produces a repertoire of classic Irish and international plays. Their acclaimed Beckett Festival played to packed houses in both London and New York. The Gate's splendid auditorium has recently been renovated and the charming curved bar is a very fine spot for a drink before and after the show.

Mountjoy Square

Although surrounded by magnificent Georgian townhouses, Mountjoy Square does not live up to its potential. In the 18th century, the square was the most elegant address in Dublin, but the migration of the gentry south of the river turned this district into a slum in a matter of decades. One hundred years ago, this part of town was one of the poorest areas in Europe, but recent refurbishments have given the area a new sheen. The square is traditionally landscaped with the ubiquitous trees, grass and roses but an adjacent tennis court seems somehow out of place in such elegant surroundings. The district deserves a visit, however: its Georgian terraces remain undiminished in elegance.

Busaras

Loved by some and loathed by others, Dublin's central bus station is one of the more interesting contemporary architectural features of the city. The building was designed by Michael Scott between 1945 and 1953 and was one of the first modern spaces in Dublin that attempted to integrate art and architecture, utilising elements like glazed facades and a controversial pavilionised top storey. The building was also ground-breaking because it attempted to incorporate a theatre in the basement and a restaurant on the top floor with great views over the city. This visionary project failed, however. The powers-that-be were unsuccessful in their attempts to promote the building properly and the restaurant and theatre were eventually abandoned. Aesthetics aside, if you're travelling out of the city, this is where you get your bus.

Meeting Place Sculpture

On Liffey Street (near the Ha'penny Bridge) you will come across two bronze ladies having a chat. This charming sculpture formed part of a sculpture symposium to mark Dublin's millennium in 1988. Hilariously, an artistic thief snatched one of the ladies' bags (larger than life, bronze and very heavy) not long after the statue was erected. It has since been returned!

O'Connell Street Rejuvenation - The Spire of Dublin

O'Connell Street has been rejuvenated. The spire monument, erected in January 2003, has replaced the Nelson's Pillar, following the removal of the Anna Livia Monument. This symbolizes the spirit of a new Dublin and a time capsule has been put under the Spire, to mark its unveiling. But this is not all. The construction of the plaza surrounding the squire has begun, so tourists and locals can look forward to it.

Dublin Bus Tours

A perfect way to pack in all of Dublin's historical and cultural attractions, Dublin Bus Tours offers a comprehensive guided tour of the city, and day trips that take you farther afield. The guided tour of the city center takes in Trinity College, the National Gallery, St Stephen's Green, Dublin Castle, and much more. The complete tour lasts 75 minutes but an All Day Ticket allows you to hop on and off the bus as you wish, at any of the stops on the route. Live commentary is provided for the entirety of the journey. Other tours like North Coast and Castle tour and South Coast tour are also available .

Liffey Boardwalk

The Vikings are believed to have sailed on the river Liffey, situated on Ireland's East Coast. The panoramic view of the area enhances the river's importance as it makes for a perfect destination to stroll or take an evening walk. So get those shoes out and scout the city.

Anna Livia Sculpture

The Anna Livia monument has been a bone of contention for Dubliners since it was erected in 1988. Designed by Eamonn O'Doherty to mark Dublin's own millennium, the gushing water sculpture features the goddess of the river Liffey in a suggestive pose and was immediately christened "the floozy in the Jacuzzi" by general consensus. Today, it is (unfortunately) the popular hang-out for customers of the numerous fast-food restaurants that line this part of O'Connell Street. With the erection of the new Monument of Light in this space, the fountain will shortly be relocated to a new site.

Definitive Dublin Walking Tour

Learn more about Dublin in a two hour walking tour of the city. You can learn about famous Dublin writers, such as Brendan Behan, James Joyce, Oscar Wilde and Samuel Beckett. The tour will also take you by several historical attractions, such as Trinity College, Dublin Castle and Old Irish Parliment. You can even find out more about music, including Thin Lizzy, The Dubliners and U2.