4 HOURS IN... DUBLIN

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WORDS ALLYSON PORTEE

Dublin

The Irish Republic’s capital is buzzing with history, culture and indulgent experiences, from shopping to dining

1 THE SHELBOURNE Located on St. Stephen’s Green, one of Dublin’s many parks, this 200-yearold hotel promises history and class. It dates to 1824 when Martin Burke, a Tipperary man with a dream to create a fashionable hotel in one of the city’s most exclusive neighbourhoods, leased three townhouses (numbers 27, 28 and 29) on the edge of the green and set out to o er the best of hospitality to the most demanding guests. e idea raised some eyebrows, but Mr. Burke, with a streak of independence and a stroke of genius, pressed on. It has since hosted presidents and movie stars and today, has 265 rooms and 19 suites, all named a er famous guests like Princess Grace of Monaco and Grace Kelly, both of whom were regulars. e Shelbourne’s bars and restaurants are also steeped in history, so even if you are not staying here, it’s worth a visit. e famous Horseshoe Bar was the legendary watering hole of many of Ireland’s most distinguished authors, poets, and playwrights, including Brendan Behan, Brian Friel, Seamus Heaney and many more. Musicians have congregated here too, including icons as varied as e Rolling Stones and Luciano Pavarotti. One of the country’s most celebrated groups, e Chie ains, was formed here at e Shelbourne during a session one night. Other venues include e Lord Mayor’s Lounge where you can enjoy a quintessential British/Irish a ernoon tea, plus e Saddle Room where dishes by Executive Head Chef Garry Hughes are inspired by the hotel’s history and made from local produce. See p65 for a hotel review. theshelbourne.com

2 ST. PATRICK’S CATHEDRAL Founded in 1191, the cathedral is the largest church in the country, and it’s the national cathedral of Ireland. Drawing people of all faiths from around the world, St. Patrick’s Cathedral o ers paid admission to tour and nd out more about its 831-year history. stpatrickscathedral.ie 3 DUBLIN CASTLE Dublin Castle has more than 800 years of history. From 1204 until 1922 it was the seat of English, and later, British rule in Ireland. However,

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on January 16, 1922, the last ever Viceroy of Ireland handed Dublin Castle over to Michael Collins and the government of the newly independent Irish state. e end of the British presence had come about in the wake of the Easter Rising of 1916 and the Irish War of Independence. ese momentous events paved the way for the creation of the Republic of Ireland and were closely associated with the history of Dublin Castle. Since that historic moment, a tradition of state ceremony has been maintained at the Castle. Successive Irish governments have continued to use it for important national events, such as state dinners and commemorations. Since 1938, each one of Ireland’s presidents has been inaugurated in St Patrick’s Hall, the grandest of the State Apartments. It’s an important year for the castle, with 2022 marking its centenary, so there’s no better time to visit. Choose from a guided or self-guided tour where you get a glimpse of the State Apartments, St. Patrick’s Hall, the rone Room, the State Drawing Room, and other state rooms. dublincastle.ie

4 TEMPLE BAR Temple Bar is a busy riverside neighbourhood, spread over cobbled pedestrian lanes. Crowded pubs host live folk music and DJ sets, and diners pack restaurants serving Asian, American and Irish cuisine. Quirky boutiques stock clothes and cra s by local designers. e National Photographic Archive highlights Ireland’s past, while the Project Arts Centre and Temple Bar Gallery + Studios shows contemporary art. is is a tourist must-visit, even if just to soak up the atmosphere and social scene, rather than the drinks. e Temple Bar Pub is one of the most popular haunts in a historical district that’s also very Insta-worthy. thetemplebarpub.com 5 KILDARE VILLAGE While Gra on Street is the most popular shopping district in Dublin’s city centre, just a 45-minute ride away is Kildare Village, part of the Bicester Collection of shopping villages. It o ers an uncrowded shopping experience and more than 100 brands, including high-end Irish, European and American labels. Personal shopping is available and luxury dressing rooms can be arranged with a stylist who will bring clothing from stores of your choice for you to try on. Visitors from the Middle East and the GCC readily visit Kildare Village, and a er shopping, dine at one of the many restaurants. Dunne & Crescenzi o ers some of the best Italian dishes in Dublin; Saba satis es ai and Vietnamese cravings; and Butlers Chocolate Café – an Irish staple – is based in a very cute retro camper. What Starbucks is to the US, Butlers is to Ireland. Be sure to have a hot chocolate. thebicestercollection.com/kildare-village