http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28993 On the ground floor, two rooms of literary history cover everything from Celtic storytellers right up to the rattle and hum of contemporary writers. George Bernard Shaw, Bram Stoker, Edna O’Brien, Roddy Doyle: they’re all given pride of place. It’s here that James Joyce is described as “the world’s most famous Irishman” (which is one in the eye for Bob Geldof). The museum also features some surprising artefacts. Such as the chair on which Handel composed himself during the very first performance of the Messiah. Or the typewriter that Brendan Behan chucked through the window of McDade’s public house.
Take the stairs to the first floor and brace yourself before entering the first room. The Gallery of Writers is an eye-popping space with enough plasterwork, gold leaf and crystal to have Kirsty and Phil hyperventilating. Populated with portraits and busts of Irish writers, it also offers impressive views of Parnell Square through its big windows.
Next door, a small library contains first editions of evocative titles - Gulliver’s Travels, Dracula, Waiting for Godot. And if that lot doesn’t inspire you, the bookshop downstairs has plenty more to quicken the pulse of any reader. After all that, you’ll need a coffee break, and the museum’s bright and airy café offers the ideal pit stop. There’s also a nice little garden area, although during my visit I managed to resist its charms since it was submerged beneath six tons of snow.
The visitors’ book positively sizzles with enthusiastic compliments. One of them says: "In poetry, romanticism and spirit, Ireland stands head and shoulders above the rest of us mere mortals."
I can only agree. This hugely-enjoyable museum is a fitting showcase for Dublin’s wordy-wise elite and a splendid way to spend time in their company.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28993 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24302
Anyway, the Hugh Lane is awesome, and admission to the gallery is completely free. Some great modern art. It also, amusingly, houses the (reconstructed) studio of Francis Bacon, with all its contents in disarray.

Here's a list of other FREE things/places in Dublin to see:

www.ruba.com/guide/Jessica_Colley/Top_FREE_Things_To_Do_in_Dublin]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24302 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24071
During the visit you will know more about the beer's ingredients, the brewery process, the Guinness family, the original site's lease document, the brand and advertising (Pelican, etc...), the Guinness book of records and other curious facts like the barrel-making process or ancient Guinness ships for transportation.

And at the end of the tour, there's nothing better than downing a good old pint at their Gravity Bar! Located at the top of the building, the nearly 360 degrees view from it is awesome and definitely a highlight of the tour.

As you can imagine, it's a really popular site for tourists and is now more branding-led now it's not owned by the Guinness family any more. A bit pricey, yes, but slightly cheaper if you book online, and definitely worth going if you also consider Guinness to be one of the biggest Irish icons to date.

Also, if you're in the area for a while, why not pop into the old prison? It's at a stone's throw from the factory and was a hidden gem of my Dublin visit.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24071 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18408 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18408 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12966 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12966 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12963 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12963 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11826
The importance of the items and the background on them is very impressive, and the museum hosts a very elegant and complete display of the works (beautiful garden enclosed within the old Dublin Castle as well).]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11826 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11786 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11786 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11771
There are over fifty rooms which take you through the ages of Irish art, from 17th century painters to the extraordinary work of Jack B Yeats - WB's brother. There's plenty of Italian Renaissance painting and Dutch masters to keep you going as well, and some great modern Irish portraiture. Add a fantastically-stocked shop and two great cafes to the mix and well, you've got the makings of a whole day's worth of wonder, and occasional repose.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11771 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11770 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11770 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7381
Admission is free along with other famous buildings in the neighbourhood such as the National Gallery and National Museum.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7381 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7237 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7237 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4823 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4823 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4328
Often there are architectural exhibitions in the basement level. It's a great way to see the inside of one of the big houses on Merrion Square.

On the same side of the square, No 45 Merrion Square is the Irish
Architectural Archive - well worth a visit for anyone interested in
Irish architecture, and you get to see even more of the interior of an even larger 18th-century Georgian house.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4328 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4188 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4188 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4167 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4167 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4149 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4149 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4140
The galleries are airy and spacious, sensitive to installation requirements and free of any overt pretentiousness. In other words, you don't have to have a deep understanding of art to enjoy the place. There is a good (if pricey) coffee shop on site.

The grounds surrounding the gallery are suitable for leisurely walking; the main avenue leads you directly to Kilmainham Gaol (about 10 minutes walk). War Memorial Gardens are nearby and the National Museum is one Luas hop away from nearby Heuston Station. Essentially, it forms the heart of the emerging museum district, and the Guinness brewery is close to hand also.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4140 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4097 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4097 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/95 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/95