Home to the world’s most comprehensive collection of Irish art including definitive work by Frank Orpen, James Barry and William Leech, the National also houses paintings and sculptures by other major European artists such as Picasso and Vermeer.

Walking Time: 2 minutes

Modern Irish and international art, including photography, painting, sculpture, performance and conceptual work from the 1940s onwards, are all permanently housed in the fine 17th-century Royal Hospital Kilmainham.

Due to renovations, from October 2012 until mid 2013 they will be located in the National Concert Hall

Walking Time: 5 minutes

The foremost collection of modern art in Ireland includes Francis Bacon’s original studio, re-located in painstaking detail from London to Dublin in 2007.

Driving Time: 7 minutes

Flying the flag for contemporary photography, this Temple Bar gallery hosts a running programme of exhibitions at its cool, purpose-built space in Meeting House Square.

Walking Time: 10 minutes

Championing contemporary Irish artists through its directional Ely Place Gallery, the RHA also offers a significant prize at its popular Annual Exhibition, held each summer.

Walking Time: 5 minutes

The beating heart of contemporary Irish theatre and dance, the Abbey (and its sister stage, The Peacock) is where to catch the latest groundbreaking homegrown productions.

Walking Time: 15 minutes

This landmark 18th-century theatre – where such stars as Orson Wells, James Mason and Michael Gambon began their careers – runs an awardwinning programme of classics from the modern and Irish repertoire.

Driving Time: 7 minutes

The former Grand Canal Theatre, recently re-branded, showcases hits from Broadway and the West End in a purpose-built venue in Dublin’s Docklands.

Driving Time: 5 minutes

The hot spot for large-scale Irish and international musical theatre including the smash hit Riverdance. The Gaiety is a Dublin institution—and one of the key venues during Dublin’s winter opera season.

Walking Time: 2 minutes

Arguably Ireland’s most culturally significant collection, this Museum is the oracle on Irish heritage, from archaeology and natural history to the nation’s rich decorative arts.

Natural History- this museum of museums is famous for it’s Victorian cabinet style, which houses one of the world’s finest and fullest collections still to be seen today.

Walking Time: 2 minutes

This art museum and library houses an international collection of manuscripts, miniature paintings, prints, rare books and decorative arts assembled by the philanthropist Sir Alfred Chester Beatty.

Walking Time: 10 minutes

This is a must-see for anyone interested in exploring Dublin’s rich literary heritage, with highlights including first and rare editions of Irish classics such as ‘Gulliver’s Travels’, ‘Ulysses’ and ‘Waiting for Godot’.

Driving Time: 10 minutes

The turmoil and change of Georgian Dublin is brought to life at this fascinating townhouse museum – which puts the heritage of The Cliff Townhouse into its historical context – and is furnished with authentic pieces exactly as it would have been from the late 1790s to the 1820s.

Walking Time: 5 minutes

Dublin’s story is told in this small but perfectly formed ‘people’s museum’ just a few doors away from The Cliff Townhouse on St Stephen’s Green. The collection includes old advertising, photographs and ephemera remembering Dublin’s past.

Walking Time: 30 seconds

The Freemasons Hall in Dublin City is a mid-Victorian building from the 1860s and features a prize-winning design by the Birmingham architect, Edward Holmes. It has been the headquarters of Freemasonry in Ireland ever since. It also contains administrative offices, a library and a museum. It is home to an exhibition relating to Freemasonry in Ireland from the early 18th century. Free admission.

Walking Time: 2 minutes

This state-of- the-art interactive experience located in the beautiful vaults of the 1820 Custom House Quarter building in Dublin’s Docklands, the original

departure point for so many of Ireland’s emigrants. It will inspire and guide you on a journey to discover the stories of Irish emigration around the world, from early times to the modern day.

Over the centuries, some 10 million people have left the island of Ireland. At EPIC you can step through 20 themed galleries to find out why people left, see how they influenced the world they

found, and experience the connection between their descendants and Ireland today. Immerse yourself in the stories of some of the most remarkable tales of sacrifice, endurance, adventure, and

discovery the world has ever known. EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum brings these amazing stories to life in a unique and spectacular way.

Tickets can be purchased on arrival to the museum.

One of Europe’s greatest music venues, the National Concert Hall’s resident orchestra puts on an excellent weekly programme. Performances from visiting artists include jazz, opera, pop and classical.

Walking Time: 5 minutes

Conservation and education are at the heart of these historic gardens, where you can learn about Irish flora and support work to save endangered native species.

Driving Time: 15 minutes

Widely acknowledged as one of the world’s finest universities, no visit to Dublin is complete without a trip to the old library to see The Book of Kells – a famous ninth-century Gospel manuscript.

Walking Time: 2 minutes

This new, state-of-the-art entertainment venue is well regarded for its world-class acoustics and attracts giant acts from Cirque du Soleil to Jerry Seinfeld.

Driving Time: 7 minutes

This multi-venue performance space hosts a wide range of events, from live recordings of the popular TV talent show, ‘The Voice of Ireland’, to sell-out performances of Shakespeare’s plays.

Driving Time: 15 minutes

Discover the fascinating history of the drink that defines a nation. This major attraction is worth a visit just to stand inside the world’s largest pint glass, rising up seven floors through the storehouse’s atrium.

Driving Time: 5 minutes

The Book of Kells is the centrepiece of an exhibition which attracts over 500,000 visitors to Trinity College in Dublin City each year.
Written around the year 800 AD, the Book of Kells contains a richly decorated copy of the four gospels in a latin text, based on the Vulgate edition (completed by St. Jerome in 384 AD). The book contains complex scenes normally interpreted as the Arrest of Christ, His Temptation, and images of Christ, the Virgin and Child, St Matthew and St John. Originally a single volume, it was rebound in four volumes in 1953 for conservation reasons. Two volumes are normally on display, one opened at a major decorated page, the other at a text opening.

Walking Time: 2 minutes

Christ Church Cathedral – is Dublin’s oldest building, a leading visitor attraction and a place of pilgrimage for almost 1,000 years. Renowned for its beauty, architecture and exquisite floor tiles, it is home to the famous 12th Century crypt, one of the oldest and largest in Britain and Ireland. Perfectly located in the heart of Medieval Dublin.

Walking Time: 10 minutes

Jameson Distillery, Bow. Street – The new look Jameson Distillery Bow St. carries on this ambition through three fully guided experiences: Bow St. Experience, The Whiskey Makers, and The Whiskey Shakers – all of which have a firm focus on immersive storytelling. You’ll be invited to touch, smell, and most importantly, taste Jameson in the original Bow St. Distillery buildings.

Walking Time: 25 minutes

Kilmainham Gaol – Dublin’s Kilmainham Gaol held some of the most famous political and military leaders in Irish history such as Robert Emmet, Charles Stewart Parnell, the 1916 Rising leaders and Eamon de Valera. Leaders of the rebellions of 1798, 1803, 1848, 1867 and 1916 were detained here. The visit includes a guided tour and exhibition.

Walking Time: 15 minutes

The Liberties Area – an area located to the southwest of the inner city. One of Dublin’s most historic neighbourhoods, the area is now a centre of enterprise and commercial life in the heart of the city. Today The Liberties is a city neighbourhood of opportunities and innovation, where the heritage of an historic city quarter sits side by side with dynamic media and tech hubs and highly respected medical and education centres.

Walking Time: 25 minutes

Ireland’s answer to London’s Frieze art fair, this biannual contemporary art event turns the city into a huge gallery, with hundreds of artists exhibiting in a range of venues from Iveagh Gardens to Earlsfort Terrace. The next event is due to take place in 2014.

Each January, Dublin hosts a festival of Irish music and culture, which includes street performances, outdoor music stages, workshops and performances in the Ark Temple Bar, a cultural centre for children.

Ireland’s premier feature film festival takes place over 11 days and nights each February. The majority of films shown are Irish premières, and for some of the films, the festival represents the only public screening that will take place in Ireland.

This 16-day festival each September – the largest multi-disciplinary arts festival in Ireland – features over 525 events in over 40 venues, including theatre, comedy, music, dance and other avant-garde spectacles.

Since 1957, this two-week-long festival in September and October has seen Dublin’s major theatre venues host productions by the world’s most highly regarded artists, while also premiering work by the giants of Irish theatre.

Bram Stocker Festival – each October, Dublin City celebrates 4 Days of Living Stories & 4 Nights of Deadly Adventures. Abraham ‘Bram’ Stoker was born on 8 November 1847 in Clontarf, Dublin and was educated at Trinity College from 1864-1870. His love of theatre led him to become the unpaid drama critic for the Dublin Evening Mail which was co-owned by the gothic writer Sheridan Le Fanu. In 1878 he married Florence Balcombe, former girlfriend of Oscar Wilde, in St. Ann’s Church in Dawson Street. He began writing novels while in London – the most famous of which is Dracula, published in 1897.

This June festival takes places in Iveagh Gardens – four days of summer eating, drinking and entertainment with a boutique food market, tasting dishes from Dublin’s best restaurants, masterclasses and more.

Walking Time: 2 minutes

Bloom – takes place every year on June BH weekend, in the Phoenix Park. Festival is run by Bord Bia and is a showcase for the garden plants, garden design, horticulture and gardening. Numerous other food, beverage, family activities and entertainment add to the fun over the weekend.

September is the real start of oyster season, and at Cliff Townhouse we continue our annual homage to his majesty the mollusk with its third Oyster Festival.

With a splash of seafood, a dash of the drinks that perfectly match and a line-up of interesting talks, an exclusive oyster masterclass plus oyster menu specials throughout the entire month, the Oyster Festival at Cliff Townhouse is perfectly designed for balmy September evenings.

The St Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin is a cultural landmark, marking the culmination of the city’s five-day St Patrick’s Festival. More than half a million people line the one-and-half-mile parade route, which takes place on March.

The Dublin Horse Show in August is an Irish institution pulling in tens of thousands to its various equestrian events, including world-class showjumping. At RDS, the Royal Dublin Society on Merrion Road.

Driving Time: 5 minutes

Held late October, the annual Dublin Marathon sees some 10,000 runners from all over the world run the streets of Georgian Dublin – taking in St Stephen’s Green right in front of our hotel.

This aesthetic clinic off nearby Leeson Street is reassuringly underpinned by medical expertise, being founded by two registered nurses. The clinic addresses various concerns, providing everything from facial peels to their popular endermologie treatments designed to combat hard-to-shift cellulite.

Walking Time: 5 minutes

Beauty gets futuristic at this one-stop-shop on Molesworth Street where the most advanced laser hair removal technologies are available along with weight loss, massage, skin treatments and facial therapies using products from such names as Eve Lom, Murad and Dermalogica.

Walking Time: 2 minutes

This elegant salon in Upper Baggot Street offers a range of therapies to polish and perfect every surface, including jet peels and microdermabrasion as well as laser hair removal and great manicure and pedicure treatments.

Walking Time: 5 minutes

This impressive new venue, formerly known as Lansdowne Road, is where the giant rugby games are held – including Ireland’s home matches during The Six Nations.

Driving Time: 5 minutes

The RDS, as this venue is known, is where popular Irish rugby team Leinster plays its home games. The showground also hosts the Dublin Horseshow each year.

Driving Time: 5 minutes

Flat and steeplechase racing take place at this historic track, with the Hennessy Gold Cup attracting the crowds in February.

Driving Time: 15 minutes

Horseracing in Ireland is a must, with the most famous course, The Curragh, located 22 miles from our hotel. The biggest events include the 1000 Guineas, St Leger and Irish Derby.

Driving Time: 45 minutes

Regular race nights at Dublin’s greyhound track make for a great evening out – with the venue located close to our hotel and the city centre.

Driving Time: 10 minutes

Ireland’s largest stadium is where to get your hit of Gaelic games, including football (referred to as ‘gaah’ by Dubliners) and hurling.

Driving Time: 10 minutes

There are numerous bookshops in Dublin, but this one stands out for its collection of Irish 20th-century literature, including collectable first editions.

Walking Time: 3 minutes

In business for close to a century, Louis Copeland & Sons is Dublin’s answer to a Savile Row tailor. The made-to-measure suits are very well regarded, along with designer mens casualwear.

Walking Time: 3 minutes

This is the go-to Dublin jeweller for a bespoke wedding ring, as well as a pretty range of Celtic-inspired jewellery in semi-precious and precious stones, platinum, gold or silver.

Walking Time: 10 minutes

This landmark department store has been setting the style stakes for fashion-conscious Dubliners in the heart of Grafton Street since it opened in 1894.

Walking Time: 5 minutes

Hodges Figgis Bookstore – Iconic 4-level bookseller, founded in 1978, featuring many Ireland-centric books, plus other reads. Located on 56-58 Dawson Street it is a must visit bookstore

Walking Time: 10 minutes

Waterford Crystal, Belleek Pottery, Orla Kiely homeware, modern woollens and knitwear are among the Irish design classics on offer in this huge emporium overlooking the grounds of Trinity College.

Walking Time: 10 minutes

Kildare Shopping Outlet – the designer shopping outlet with a mix of over 90 boutiques of leading brands. A complimentary luxury bus service is now available for the summer months, starting on June 27^th to August 31^st.

Departing from The Shelbourne Hotel at 9.30am and 12noon 7 days per week, bus returns back to the city at 2pm and 5pm. Service starts at the Shelbourne Hotel, stops at Christ Church and the Guinness Brewery. Space on the bus must be pre-booked with the hotel reception where you will receive your ticket for the bus. On arrival at the Kildare Shopping Outlet, collect your 10% discount card at the VIP Lounge and enjoy the experience.

Best known for its traditional Irish blankets with a contemporary twist, Avoca’s meandering seven-floor store on Suffolk Street is packed with quirky fashion, childrens clothes and toys, as well as an awardwinning café, food hall and rooftop garden.

Walking Time: 12 minutes

This independent temple to high fashion on Castle Street, run by a family of fashion-savvy sisters and their stylish mother, is coveted by Dubliners for its personal service and range of wearable designer labels such as Hoss Intropia, John Smedley and Isabel Marant.

Walking Time: 14 minutes

For all your couture needs, achingly hip Smock sells designer fashion by Vivienne Westwood, APC and Dries Van Noten among others, as well as a desirable selection of vintage jewellery and accessories.

Walking Time: 15 minutes

Internationally renowned for her sophisticated and understated style, Louise Kennedy in Merrion Square is a Dubliner favourite for special occasion and bridal wear.

Walking Time: 10 minutes

This is the place to pick up fashion-forward pieces from emerging Irish designers, established Irish heavyweights such as Philip Treacy and John Rocha, and international fashion houses.

Walking Time: 12 minutes

Everything tastes great at Fallon & Byrne – a little slice of New York served with a side order of style in Dublin’s Exchequer Street. Dine casually in the light-filled, top-floor restaurant or shop for the best local and international produce in the food hall.

Walking Time: 15 minutes

Here’s where discerning collectors come for serious Irish antiques, Fleury’s large selection including chandeliers, oil paintings, jewellery and period furniture.

Walking Time: 25 minutes

The Dublin outpost of this leading New York-based antique dealers stocks a wide range of fine Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian furniture.

Walking Time: 25 minutes

This bookshop and café made its mark in the Seventies as a meeting place for writers and musicians. Today it remains an excellent source of secondhand books and unusual new publications.

Walking Time: 10 minutes