Learning and Play

OWLS

OWLS stands for outdoor, wildlife, learning and survival. We are a children's nature charity based in Dublin. OWLS want to encourage and facilitate the enjoyment of nature. We are mostly aimed at primary school children and their families. Our activities are about having FUN outside whilst learning about nature.

Dublin Zoo

Dublin Zoo opened its doors on September 1, 1831. Founded as a private society by anatomists and physicists and supported by wealthy subscribers. In 1840, featuring 46 mammals and 72 birds donated by London Zoo, the radical decision was to throw its gates open to the public for a penny on Sundays. Now, utterly transformed, Dublin Zoo’s 28 hectares is attracting over 1 million visitors a year. Officially Ireland’s biggest family attraction, not only offers a great day out for all, but also a journey of learning and discovery about the world’s precious wildlife.

Maritime Museum

Ireland’s National Maritime Museum is housed in Dun Laoghaire’s 180-year-old Mariners Church, directly opposite the new DLR Lexicon library and easily accessible by DART suburban train and several bus services. The museum’s greatest artefact is probably the building itself as it is one of a few custom built places of worship for seafarers remaining intact in the world to-day.

Dalkey Castle and Heritage Centre

Ten miles south of Dublin City, Dalkey is famed as a coastal village jam-packed with restaurants, culture and seaside walks. It’s got heritage too. Dalkey Island bears the picturesque ruins of St. Beignet’s Church, and archaeologists have traced artefacts like arrowheads, axes and pottery back to the Stone Age (boat trips can be booked locally for the short crossing). In the village itself, Dalkey Castle and Heritage Centre bundles a townhouse, 15th century castle, Early Christian church and heritage centre in one tidy campus. Guided tours include a live theatre performance with costumed actors bringing the past to life.

Jeanie Johnston Tall Ship and Famine Story Tours

The Jeanie Johnston tells the story of the thousands of Irish people who fled the Famine and embarked on a voyage in the hope of a better life in North America. Step on board and you will be transported back in time to join them on their journey across the sea. The tour takes approximately 50 minutes and is led by one of our knowledgeable guides. The tour begins with a walk around the upper deck, where you will see the majestic masts, admire the craftsmanship and learn about the ship’s history. Take a deep breath and go below deck to experience where up to 250 passengers spent their journey across the Atlantic. Hear how they passed the time on their voyage and discover what fate awaited them on the other side.

Malahide Castle

Every city has its own unique feel and vibe, which is determined by a number of things. The local historic sites are no doubt one of the largest contributing factors to the aura that surrounds a city. When in Dublin, users recommend paying a visit to Four Courts, in the Airport - Dub area to get a feel for what truly makes up the city. 10 Dublin Castle Airport - Dub Dublin Castle

You walk through the brick gate built in the 13th century, and the first sight you see is the hulking circular tower. Once prisoners' quarters, the tower now includes huge chandeliers, brass work and elaborate carpeting. State Apartments are contained at the site of the medieval fortress, and state functions are frequently held here. The opulent interior is in striking opposition to the medieval-style exterior. You can take guided tours of the State Apartments as well as the gothic revival Chapel Royal and the lower-ground-floor Undercroft, where boats once brought provisions through an archway.

Read more about Dublin Castle → 9 Four Courts Airport - Dub Four Courts Photo courtesy of Kieran Lynam

The magnificent Four Courts were built between 1786 and 1802, but they were tragically damaged in the Irish Civil War in 1922. Now restored, the courts have elaborate Corinthian columns and a beautiful massive dome. Four statues stand outside representing Moses, Justice, Mercy, Authority and Wisdom. The original courts of Common Pleas, Chancery, Exchequer, and King's Bench have now been replaced by the High Court, Supreme Court, and the district courts. The exterior is the most interesting part of the building. BUS: 25, 68, 78, 79, 151, 172. LUAS: Four Courts.

Read more about Four Courts → 8 Trinity College Airport - Dub Trinity College

One of Ireland's top attractions is the "Book of Kells", which is housed at Trinity College Old Library. The book, dating from around 800 AD, is considered by many to be the most beautifully illustrated book ever created. Elaborate portraits and calligraphy decorate the four Gospels. The display allows visitors to learn about the creation of the book before seeing several pages of it displayed under glass. The Long Room, which houses 200,000 early books, is also a must see. The Long Room also contains marble busts of some of the world's greatest thinkers that overlook early work by Copernicus, Martin Luther and more.

Read more about Trinity College → 7 Glasnevin Cemetery Airport - Dub Glasnevin Cemetery

In this cemetery are the graves of many men and women who have paved the way through Irish history. The cemetery was founded in 1832 and covers 124 acres of land. Before it was built, there were no cemeteries for Irish Catholics due to the penal laws. Former Irish presidents rest here, as well as writers Gerard Manley Hopkins and Christy Brown. All have made an impact in some way on Irish life, including those who were simply ordinary citizens. There are tours on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 2.30pm. BUS: 19, 19A, 40, 40A, 40B, 40C

Read more about Glasnevin Cemetery → 6 Mansion House Airport - Dub Mansion House

Situated right between Trinity College and verdant St. Stephen's Green is the Mansion House, the home of the Lord Mayor of Dublin. The house, built in 1705, exemplifies the neoclassic style that was popular at the time right before the Georgian architecture style began to dominate. Though tours aren't regularly available, the exterior and surrounding parks are the most impressive aspects of the home. On a historical note, the signings of the Irish Declaration of Independence (in 1919) and the Anglo-Irish truce (in 1921) took place inside these walls.

Read more about Mansion House → 5 Bank of Ireland Airport - Dub Bank of Ireland

Originally the Parliament House, the Bank of Ireland adopted its present identity in 1808. The original House of Lords is still exquisitely decorated with tapestries, woodwork, and elaborate ceilings. The chandelier that adorns the House of Lords contains 1,233 pieces of Waterford crystal from 1785. BUS: 15A, B, C; 46, 55, 68, 86, 83

Read more about Bank of Ireland → 4 Custom House Airport - Dub Custom House

This remarkable building designed by renowned architect James Gandon sports a classical architectural style and was completed in 1791. With columns, pavilions, and a central dome, it has an elegant beauty that never fades. You can only admire the building from the exterior.

Read more about Custom House → 3 General Post Office (GPO) Temple Bar
General Post Office (GPO)

History buffs will be thrilled to get a firsthand look at the GPO, the headquarters of the Irish Volunteers in 1916 during the fight for independence known as the Easter Rising. Today, the huge landmark with its mammoth, bullet-riddled columns is a working post office. However, a plaque and statues, including the moving "Death of Cuchulainn," commemorate the building's important history.

Read more about General Post Office (GPO) → 2 Abbey Theatre Airport - Dub Abbey Theatre

This active theater, which frequently puts on elaborate productions of the plays that catapulted writers such as O'Casey and Behan to prominence, had its creative heyday under the direction of W.B. Yeats after it was founded in 1903 by Yeats and Lady Augusta Gregory. Its first productions began in 1904; the controversial works presented here incited riots in some theatergoers. The historic building has a remarkably plain exterior, but the ornate foyer and stairwell includes portraits of former actors and playwrights, as well as historic information.

Read more about Abbey Theatre → 1 Malahide Castle Malahide Castle

This 12th century castle was home to the Talbot family for nearly eight centuries. The interior decor is reflective of Ireland's past, containing authentic period furniture, Irish portraits, and other works of art depicting Irish life through the ages. The table still stands where 14 members of the family dined together on the morning of the beginning of the Battle of Boyne; every one of them died in the battle that day.

Dublin Castle

You walk through the brick gate built in the 13th century, and the first sight you see is the hulking circular tower. Once prisoners' quarters, the tower now includes huge chandeliers, brass work and elaborate carpeting. State Apartments are contained at the site of the medieval fortress, and state functions are frequently held here. The opulent interior is in striking opposition to the medieval-style exterior. You can take guided tours of the State Apartments as well as the gothic revival Chapel Royal and the lower-ground-floor Undercroft, where boats once brought provisions through an archway.

Glasnevin Cemetery

In this cemetery are the graves of many men and women who have paved the way through Irish history. The cemetery was founded in 1832 and covers 124 acres of land. Before it was built, there were no cemeteries for Irish Catholics due to the penal laws. Former Irish presidents rest here, as well as writers Gerard Manley Hopkins and Christy Brown. All have made an impact in some way on Irish life, including those who were simply ordinary citizens. There are tours on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 2.30pm. BUS: 19, 19A, 40, 40A, 40B, 40C

The dlr LexIcon

The dlr LexIcon, the new Central Library and Cultural Centre opened in 2015. With 80,000 items in the adult and junior libraries, 60+ computers, 100 study spaces and a floor dedicated to Local Studies, there is plenty to discover at dlr LexIcon.

James Joyce Museum

The James Joyce Tower & Museum is situated only 30 minutes from Dublin City Centre. Open daily with free admission. Embrace the literature of James Joyce within this iconic museum at the Martello Tower, Sandycove, Co. Dublin.

Hurdygurdy Radio Museum

The Martello tower stands on the site of a former motte castle of the St. Lawrence Estate. It is also said to have been the site of the original Howth Castle. The museum gets its name from a comment made by the late Seán Lemass (former Taoiseach) while visiting the radio studios of Radio Éireann in Dublin. He referred to the radio service as “the old hurdy-gurdy” as whilst on his visit to the studios the RTÉ Concert Orchestra (then known as the Radio Éireann Light Orchestra) was tuning up… and the sound was reminiscent of a ‘hurdy-gurdy’. The museum first opened in 2003, Pat Herbert, the curator, had been looking for a suitable premises to display his vast collection of radios, gramophones and other radio-related paraphernalia. Fingal County Council offered the recently refurbished Martello Tower to Pat for use as a museum. Pat maintains the museum as a labour of love. It is not run as a commercial enterprise. He enthusiastically gives of his time voluntarily, purely for the pleasure and enjoyment he derives from it. He is joined in his efforts by a team of volunteers, who all provide tours and introductions to the collection.

Dublin International Literature Festival

The International Literature Festival Dublin, founded in 1998, is Ireland’s premier literary event and gathers the finest writers in the world to debate, provoke, delight and enthral. Described by the press as ‘boasting a stunning array of top international literary talent’ and ‘the country’s most successful and easily the best annual literary event’, International Literature Festival Dublin's line-up is sure to impress.

Festival of Curiosity

Homegrown in Dublin, The Festival of Curiosity takes place every July and is Ireland's annual celebration at the intersection of art, science, technology, and design and has quickly grown to be one of the most exciting and innovative festivals of it's kind in Europe.

Culture Night

For one night only, Dublin keeps its cultural doors open for an array of free late-night events. More than 200 museums, art galleries, libraries, theatres and other venues put on special tours and workshops. Start between Trinity College and Merrion Square; the National Library of Ireland, National Gallery, Natural History Museum and the Museum of Archaeology are all nestled in this area.