Things to do in Ashbourne

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1. Aviva Stadium

Opened in 2010, the stadium was built on the site of the old Lansdowne Road Stadium, which was dismantled in 2007. When you arrive, you’ll see from its dauntless but delicate curves just what a modern architectural marvel this is – the Aviva Stadium has even won a prestigious British Construction Industry Award. With a capacity for a whopping 50,000 spectators, the stadium’s sheer size alone is a sight to behold.
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If you’re heading to Dublin for a rugby or football match at the Aviva Stadium, then you’re in for a real treat. Situated just south of Dublin’s bustling city centre, the Aviva Stadium is a state-of-the-art, four-tiered sports stadium and concert venue, located on the rushing River Dodder not far from Ireland’s east coast.

2. Trinity College

Founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I, Trinity College is widely recognised as the oldest university in Dublin. The campus’s magnificent Old Library is an 18th century building that houses the 9th century gospel manuscript the Book of Kells. The book portrays prolifically decorated versions of the four gospels on prepared calfskin and attracts half a million visitors every year.
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Explore Dublin’s literary and architectural past or simply stroll around the open spaces of Ireland’s leading higher education institution, in the heart of the city.

3. Guinness Storehouse

At the centre of the Guinness Storehouse is the giant pint glass that rises through each of the building’s seven storeys. If full, the glass would hold 14.3 million pints of Guinness. Instead it holds the million visitors that pour through the Storehouse’s doors ever year.
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Top off a tour of Ireland’s number 1 visitor attraction with a perfectly poured pint of the black stuff.

4. Grafton Street

Among the most exclusive spots in European retail, Grafton Street is a boulevard full of upscale boutiques and restaurants. It is one of the two main commercial parts of Dublin and has an international array of big names. Yet the street retains its local charm with well-known street performers and traditional pubs. Bring cash and credit cards for a trip through the street’s upscale boutiques.
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Watch the talented street performers as you search the boutiques in this shopping haven for something special to take home.

5. Dublin Castle

While most of the building dates to the 1800s, its ancient heritage is still evident in the ancient Record Tower. This sole surviving element of Dublin Castle’s medieval origins is a magnificent stone stalwart. It is the perfect complement to the adjoining 19th century Chapel Royal, built in the Gothic Revival style.
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On Dame Street, south of the River Liffey in the heart of Dublin, stands the mighty architectural achievement that is Dublin Castle, parts of which date back to 1200. Over the centuries Dublin Castle has been a fortress and treasury, a royal palace and a prison. Prior to Irish independence in the 1920s, it was also the centre of British rule in Ireland. Today, Dublin Castle is a government building and significant historic emblem.

6. St. Stephen's Green

The park dates back to 1670 but was opened in its present layout in 1880. It occupies 9 hectares of green space and offers 3.5 kilometres of pathways for visitors to stroll, run, cycle, play or just sit back and relax. St Stephen’s Green is an area of Dublin not to be missed, whatever the weather.
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After working your way up Grafton Street’s high end stops and eateries, step into St Stephen’s Green - an oasis of calm in the centre of Ireland’s bustling capital.

7. Croke Park

A World-Famous StadiumCroke Park certainly is impressive, however. It’s Ireland’s largest stadium, and with the capacity to seat 82,000 sporting fans, it is the fourth largest in Europe. During matches the noise and chants from the crowd can be heard all over the city of Dublin.
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Croke Park in Dublin is so much more than an impressive sports stadium. “Croker”, as it is locally known, is in many ways is a bastion of Irish identity that protects the spirit of Gaelic games from forces seeking to dislodge it. If this all sounds a bit dramatic you should take the fantastic Croke Park Experience tour to get a very real sense of just how important and deeply ingrained the GAA and Gaelic games are to Ireland’s sense of itself.

What to do in Ashbourne

Popular places to visit

Emerald Park

4/5(15 reviews)

Ireland may be known for its lush forests and sparkling lakes, but that doesn’t mean your visit here needs to be sedate. For a day of family thrills, hit the rides at one of Ireland’s largest theme parks, the potato-themed Tayto Park in Ashbourne, County Meath. With a range of activities to please everyone from young children to the grown-ups, you’ll easily find something to keep you entertained.

Emerald Park

Ashbourne Golf Club

In a country packed with historic golf courses, Ashbourne Golf Club is rather rare for an Irish course, in that it wasn’t founded until the 1990s. However, what it lacks in age it more than makes up for in quality – a fantastic course with challenging holes, you’ll find that Ashbourne Golf Club easily outshines many of its competitors.

Ashbourne Golf Club

 

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