O'Connell Street is Dublin's main thoroughfare, and has been since the 18th century. The spot formerly occupied by Nelson's Pillar, and now by The Spire, traditionally has been seen to mark the city centre, or An Lár in the Irish. Right in the heart of Dublin, there is plenty to see and shopaholics will enjoy the great range of shops from high-priced boutiques to the regular chain stores.
Location:
Just north of the river, in Dublin 1, stretching from O'Connell Bridge to Parnell Square. Abbey Street, Talbot Street, Henry Street and Parnell Street break off it on either side.
Shopping:
The shopping area of choice for many Dubliners, you will find a great range of quality shops. Clery's on O'Connell Street and Arnotts and Roches Stores on Henry Street are three of Dublin's biggest department stores, and Easons is the oldest and largest bookseller and stationer in town. Many of the major UK and international outlets occupy the ILAC Centre and the Jervis Street Centre at the end of Henry Street.
Local Market:
Browsing through the open-air stalls of the traders on Moore Street, can be fun, and there are some good bargains to be had.
Attractions:
The Hugh Lane Gallery of Modern Art located opposite the Garden of Remembrance is worth visiting and Dublin's two main theatres, The Abbey (the National Theatre) and The Gate, several good cinemas and the James Joyce Centre are near-by.
Famous Monuments:
The Spire is 3 metres wide at the base and narrows to 15 centimetres at the top. At 120 metres high, it is the world's tallest sculpture and was originally intended to honour the new millenium, however its construction was delayed.
Worth a visit....:
The GPO is the centrepiece of O'Connell Street, As well as its imposing neo-classical facade, it played a central part as the headquarters of the republican army in the 1916 rising, and is very important in Irish history, in fact bullet holes can still be seen in the building's columns as well as in many of the statues along the street.
Nightlife:
Messr's Maguire is Dublin's award winning micro brewery and pub, café bar and restaurant
overlooking O'Connell Bridge, is spread over four floors and combines great food with top quality drink and a friendly atmosphere. Bar opening hours:
Monday - Tuesday: 10:30 - 00.30, Wednesday: 10:30 - 01:30, Thursday-Saturday 10:30 - 02:30 and Sundays 12:00 until midnight. Supervised children are welcome until 19:00.
Overlooking O'Connell
Bridge, Q Bar is one of the most spectacular bars in Dublin. Spread over 3
floors this retro chic bars' reputation as one of Dublin's hottest venues
has gone from strength to strength. After dark it becomes the haunt many famous faces and top DJ's. Monday - Saturday: 10:30 - 02:30,
Sunday: 12.00 till late.
Supervised children welcome till 19:00.
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