The origin of Dublin can be traced back to more than 1000 years from when Vikings had settled there to the cosmopolitan city that it is today. This is the reason that the city is full of historical sites, from the 16 Moore Street to Ashtown Demesne and many more. Even if you have only one day to spend in Dublin, make sure you do not miss the following top 5 popular historical attractions in Dublin.
1. Moore Street
As you walk up Moore Street, you will notice the traditional red-brick building known as 16 Moore Street on the left-hand side. Over the ground floor level of the building, a small plaque is displayed that has “Éirí Amach na Casca” written on it, which means “The Easter Rising, 1916” in English. After the shelling of the GPO, the leaders had retreated into this house, and it was in this house that they decided that they should cease hostilities and surrender because escape was not possible.
2. Aldborough House
Aldborough House is one of Dublin’s most important surviving historic houses. The house is situated on Portland Row, and is the city’s last great mansion that was built during the latter half of the eighteenth century. It was Edward Stratford who built Aldborough House back in 1796. However, after passing out of the Stratford family’s hands, it became a Feinaglian School, then a military barrack, and then a branch of the GPO. The building has some integral architectural features that are listed with IMRO.
3. Ardgillan Castle
Ardgillan Castle is located between Balbriggan and Skerries on an elevated coastline and it enjoys magnificent views, which makes it unique among the Regional Parks of Dublin. This park measures 194 acres, consisting of gardens, mixed woodland and pastureland, all of which overlook the bay of Drogheda. The meaning of Ardgillan in English is “high-wooded area,” and indeed the castle is a sanctuary for various species of birds and mammals. Ardgillan Castle consists of two stories along with a basement extending under the south lawns.
4. Bank Of Ireland-College Green
The Of Ireland-College Green, which is currently in use by a bank, was once the Irish Parliament House, the first purpose-built parliament house in the world with two chambers. For most of the eighteenth century, this building served as the seat of the two chambers of the Kingdom of Ireland’s Irish Parliament. The building also became a part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain after the abolishment of that parliament by the Act of Union of 1800, but is also a part of Ireland too.
5. Ashtown Demesne
You can access Ashtwon Demesne on Chesterfield Avenue off the Phoenix roundabout. Whether you are old or young, it has plenty of attractions for you. These include Ashtown Castle, Phoenix Café, Phoenix Park Visitor Centre, picnic area, new universal access playground and woodland walks. The Phoenix Park Visitor Centre has an audio-visual presentation that will allow you take a glance at what the park was like throughout the ages, which gives it somewhat of a historical interpretation.
From the city center, all of the above historical attractions are within easy reach, especially if you decide upon traveling by car. If you wish to drive yourself and have a UK driving licence, then you can even exchange it for an Irish driving licence.
Christmas season brings chilly weather and snowy delights for the persons who love to take pleasure in the freezing climate and enjoy playing with velvety snow. People who love showers of snow would pray to get their desired fulfilled on the day of Christmas to get the double treat of Christmas merriments. However, not all the area contains such weather settings to have feathery snow especially at the time of Christmas. That’s why people intended to head to those areas, which are famous for heavy snow showers during the Christmas. One of the outstanding destinations those are renowned for white Christmas atmosphere. You would love to enjoy the scenic landscape with load of snow and celebrative activities. Well-decorated ethnic villages, towns, streets, and markets with glistening lights will captivate your attention to make you indulge in lifetime experience of white Christmas.
Traditions
Austrian Christmas traditions more or less resemble with mainstreams customs of the world.
- Starting from the St. Nicolas festival who come along with devil and distribute desired gifts, sweets, apples and nuts among kids according to good and bad deeds they have done all through the year.
- People love to gather around the open fireplace to enjoy the play of nativity and later they surround the Christmas tree for midnight mass to open the Christmas gifts with high zest and zeal.
- Carol singers visit every house with burning torches and playing brass music instrument to wish everyone the holy eve. This tradition has been started in 1818 accidently and then followed each year until now.
- Christmas cannot be completed in Austria without warm home baked cookies. And the Christmas tree is secretly decorated by parents while kids can only see it after they hear the bell ringing.
Attractions
Austria is extremely romantic destination to celebrate grand event of Christmas. It contains marvelous panoramic views that outshines in the season of winter with white furry snow layers. Some of major Austrian attractive places are suggested here.
- Vienna
Vienna offers you lots of interesting places to visit during your stay on the occasion of Christmas. As it has been the imperial court for 6 centuries, it contains a fascinating array of architectural legacy that you never want to miss. To relish the flavors of Vienna you can find diverse kinds of restaurants that provide traditional treats along with the high class sophisticated dinner deals. You can take services of guide tours of all around the Austrian region. Attractive Danube River can be enjoyed while visiting the historic Silent chapel. The ‘December Market’ in Vienna city has been established since 1294 and known to be the innovator of the Christmas markets in the world.
- Salzburg
Salzburg opens another façade Austria towards you to let you enjoy more with exciting activities and heart throbbing sightseeing. Here you will find historically and culturally rich spots, most prominently fortress – Hohen Salzburg is a must-see location. Neighboring town of Salzburg can also be explored where you can visit the exclusive salt mines with tempting activities and attractions.
- Seefeld
The most exciting part of this city is the Crystal work of Swarovski where you can mesmerize your eyes with translucent glowing crystal artifacts and also can buy the affordable. Furthermore, you can explore the Christmas markets by strolling on the snow carpet at the old town square built with landmark golden roofs. Traversing through the market provides you charming gift ideas for Christmas celebration as a gesture of kindness for relations encircling you to elevate the pleasure factor.
All these thrilling temptations of Austria can make your Christmas incredibly exciting to be an unforgettable affair of your life.