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Home - City Guide - Dublin - Further Distractions | ||
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Further Distractions Phoenix Park Europe's biggest park boasts more than 1,752 acres of wilderness and landscaped gardens. Dublin's most famed park, located on the western edge of Dublin, was originally priory land, then the royal deer park in the seventeenth century. Today, the Irish president and the US ambassador to Ireland have residences within it. Dubliners enjoy its 12 hectares (30 acres) of landscaped gardens with ornamental lakes, nature trails and grassland. The old duelling ground, Fifteen Acres, is now a popular venue for sports and a Sunday afternoon flea market. The park also houses the Dublin Zoo - home to over 700 animals and tropical birds. Tel: (01) 677 1425. Fax: (01) 677 1660 (Zoo). E-mail: info@dublinzoo.ie Website: www.dublinzoo.ie Transport: Bus 10, 23, 25 or 26. Opening hours: (Park) 24 hours; (Zoo) summer Mon-Sat 0930-1800 and Sun 1030-1800, (last admissions 1700). Winter Mon-Fri 0930-1600 (Sat until 1700) and Sun 1030-1700. Admission: Ir£7 (Zoo; concessions available). Guinness Hopstore The world's largest single beer-exporting company began in 1759 when Arthur Guinness brewed the first Guinness. The brewery itself is not open to visitors, but the 90-minute tour of the Guinness Hopstore tells you everything you ever wanted to know about the famous stout. The advertising gallery is the highlight with the chance to create your own Guinness poster. The tour culminates, of course, with a free pint of the legendary black stuff. St James's Gate, Dublin 8 Tel: (01) 408 4800 or 453 8364 (information). Fax: (01) 408 4965. Website: www.guinness.ie Transport: Bus 51B, 78A or 123. Opening hours: Apr-Sep Mon-Sat 0930-1700 and Sun 1030-1630; Oct-May Mon-Sat 0930-1600 and Sun 1200-1600. Admission: Ir£5 (concessions available). |