Further Distractions
Phoenix Park
Europe’s biggest city park boasts more than 707 hectares (1752 acres) of wilderness and landscaped gardens. Phoenix Park, Dublin’s most famed park, is located on the western edge of the city and originally served as a royal deer park in the 17th century. Today, the Irish president and the US ambassador to Ireland have residences within it. Dubliners enjoy its 12 hectares (30 acres) of landscaped gardens with ornamental lakes, nature trails and grassland. The old duelling ground, Fifteen Acres, is now a popular venue for casual sports while Nine Acres is home to the Irish Polo Club. The park also houses Dublin Zoo – home to over 700 animals and tropical birds.
Dublin Zoo
Tel: (01) 677 1425. Fax: (01) 677 1660.
E-mail: info@dublinzoo.ie
Website: www.dublinzoo.ie
Transport: Bus 10, 25 and 26.
Opening hours: (Park) 24 hours. (Zoo) Mon–Sat 0930–1800, Sun 1030–1800 (Mar–Oct); Mon–Fri 0930–1600, Sat 0930–1700, Sun 1030–1700 (Nov–Feb); last admissions one hour before closing.
Admission: €10.10 (concessions available).
Guinness Storehouse
The world’s largest single beer-exporting company began in 1759 when Arthur Guinness brewed the first Guinness. The brewery itself is not open to visitors but a visit to this state-of-the-art museum, housed in a converted warehouse and shaped like a mighty pint glass, tells the visitor everything they ever wanted to know about the famous stout. The tour culminates, of course, with a free pint of the legendary black stuff.
St James’s Gate
Tel: (01) 408 4800. Fax: (01) 408 4965.
E-mail: guinness-storehouse@guinness.com
Website: www.guinness-storehouse.com
Transport: Bus 51B, 71A or 123.
Opening hours: Daily 0930–1700.
Admission: €12 (concessions available).
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