Dublin CastleDublin Castle is quite the fairytale inside and out. Massive medieval fortress walls protect an inner sanctum of majestic staterooms, filled with enough fabulous artwork, furniture and crystal to please any King or Queen ? The only thing is we Irish don’t do royalty, we even managed to mislay the crown jewels! The nearest we got to a truly noble figurehead was Michael Collins who received the keys of the castle in 1922 ending some 800 years of British rule and tenancy. The question then was, what would we do with it? Apart from being used as a centre of intelligence, Garda headquarters is still there it is now mainly used for elaborate state occasions. The last visiting dignitary to stay there was Dame Margaret Thatcher one can only assume that one enjoyed the hospitality....
And while it is open to the public with excellent informative guided tours conducted daily, not many Irish people seem to visit. Perhaps, because it has always being deemed more of an English institution then an Irish tradition which is a shame as it is a great place to explore. The chapel royal has only recently been re-opened which has a very special ornate gothic interor and is like a set straight out of The Tudors. There is even an enclosed medieval knot garden on the site of the original Dubh Linn or black pool at the epicentre of the original city where the castle cat still reigns peacefully over his minions.....
But the real jewel in the crown, see I told you we still have some, is the Chester Beatty Library in the grounds of Dublin Castle. It houses a wonderful collection of oriental art and rare manuscripts Big Tip? its actually a million times better that the Book of Kells. Another treasure is the Silk Road Cafe which is in the same building, a real 10 of 10 place to eat, the cuisine is inspired by the Far East, a great place to eat, or have mint tea, coffee and homemade turkish delights....
There is a small charge to visit the castle but its great value as it includes an underground tour of the viking built ramparts as well, whereas the Chester Beatty Library is completely FREE... 10 other things to do and see near Dublin Castle are... 1 Chester Beatty Library free museum of Oriental Art and and ancient manuscripts. 2 Silk Road Cafe inspired by the fabled silk route, cooked by arabian chefs, very, very good. 3 Chapel Royal recently re-opened the Jewel in Dublin Castle's crown. 4 City Hall history of Dublin exhibition. 5 Oympia Theatre try and catch a show here in the grand old dame of Dublin theatres. 6 Bewleys Cafe fantastic coffee and sticky buns. 7 Jenny Vanders Vintage Boutique the models secret. 8 Stags Head or International Bar for great pints and atmosphere. 9 The Dolls Hospital should Teddy have a broken arm or Dolly need an eye? 10 U2’s Clarence hotel if you want to be seen...
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