This slender strip of greenery makes for a soothing walk (or a lovely general commute path, should…read moreyou be so lucky). In Summer the trees and sidewalks are bursting with life, while in these snowy climes it offers a whisper of a wintry wonderland. Beautiful. The only thing that takes this down from a full rating is the sheer amount of litter that is dumped into the canal. Not cool. Stop it. If you're by the Rathmines area of the walk, visit the swans. There are, last I'd counted, over 50 within a single stretch of the canal - you can't miss them, and you'll commonly find a swarm placidly nestled along the sidewalk or gobbling the bread people throw at them. They don't get ruffled if you walk close to them (and if they're being fed you may have no choice in the matter), but please, resist the urge to pet them.

One of our fair cities finer features, the Canal+sunshine is probably the best day that can be had…read morein Dublin. You can walk the scenic peace of her banks, the banter of her pubs or even share a seat with Patrick Kavanagh. Or you can do as the bums do. Tie a load of cans onto a string and keep them cool in the water, only drawing them up when you need one. Might want to get a tetanus shot before trying that last one actually. Nice as it is, this is still Dublin.

This is within Pearse library and it's the place to find copies of newspapers from a few weeks ago…read moreback to the 1800's. My Dad would always take me here each year to check the newspapers on the day I was born to see what was happening. Even though it was the same newspaper each year it never lost it's thrill on me. There is something exciting about the connection you feel with the events that were happening the day you got life. Well worth the visit especially if you can't think of anything to do to fill a few hours.

Love Pearse Library. Downstairs is a public library on the left hand side and an exhibition space…read moreon the right hand side and upstairs has the Dublin City Archives Reading Room. The reading room holds the Dublin and Irish Collections, the Dix Collection of mainly 17th and 18th century Dublin and Irish imprints, the Yeats Collection, the Children's Book Collection and imprints of publishers such as the Dun Emer and Cuala Press. A collection of Thom's Dublin street directories and other Dublin and Irish directories is also maintained. The librarians are extremely knowledgeable and helpful.

A free public exhibit! Very interesting learning about the history of Yeats! Just enter and let the…read morereceptionist know you're here for the exhibit! They're also taking donations if you have change to support them! Thank you National Library of Ireland!

Overall the library is not open for public access. But it's worth a quick visit to see the…read morebeautiful entry and the historical exhibit on "Yeats: The Life and Works of William Butler Yeats." Learned a bit about W.B. Yeates and the exhibit was open to the public without charge for admission. Overall cleanliness: excellent Time budget: unless you're a W.B. Yeates fan, budget 15 minutes.

This reviewer runs the risk of sounding like the dusty oldies once laughed at in her own college…read moreyears when saying "You kids don't know how good you have it". The expansive, quiet calm of the Trinity Berkeley Library complex is an ideal place to absorb and compile one's thoughts (on the condition that one is a student, as layfolk aren't permitted inside). Having evolved over a few decades from three locations into one massive depository -Berkeley makes up part of what can be an unwieldy network of shelves, halls and desks, only sometimes tamed by signposts (which can read more like bibliographies themselves). Here, new and old technology (quietly) rubs elbows as laptops share space with microfiche readers and DVDs are shelved with 1915 archival volumes. While time has not been kind to the library's Brutalist architectural exterior, inside the Berkeley's airy and modern study areas remain relevant resources to inspire great ideas.

Wont say anything about the place itself - it is famous enough! For those going there to do some…read moreacademic work the best spot are in open plan desk area at new side of the building. All floors have big glass windows overseeing the campus. It is very calm even during the semester. The reading area underground is very quite too but it is always cold.

The gardens here are exactly what I would have expected when I visited Ireland-lush, green and full…read moreof so much history! I'm a sucker for a romantic staircase and we saw one that led up to the castle. I'm sure many brides have had their photos taken here over the years. I expected larger crowds, but I guess a cold day in October doesn't draw the tourists out like a warm summer day would. So if you prefer to visit without so many people, keep that in mind. Be sure to take a tour of the castle-it's amazing to see how well it's been preserved and just how much you can enjoy all these years later.

Malahide castle offers guided tours through the castle. Our tour guide knew the ENTIRE history of…read morethis castle and the people who have lived here. He described why each room looked the way it did and had what it did. The garden was breath taking. The butterfly pavilion was a treat. It was really a great experience. The castle has so much history and ghosts and it was beautiful inside and out.

The blanchardstown library is my favorite one, definately. They have it spread over two floors, and…read morehave allocated areas for computors, study groups, childrens readin sections etc. It is really spacious and very quiet (duh?) :) and there is a brilliant selection of books. Anytime i have ever heard of a book off somebody i would always go in and ask do they have it and not once have i been told they havnt got it. They have educational videos you can borrow too, along with audio books. Its a great library with really friendly librarians there to help. :)

AN POST EXPRESS POST NIGHTMARE 31 March 2022 - I sent a…read moreCheck to USA which must be there before April 19, using An Post Express Post at Drumcondra Post Office. (I have used Express Post before: Tracking #, Can be tracked at An Post and US Post Office USPS.COM) 8 April - An Post Tracking says item accepted at Drumcondra PO. No Further Tracking. Called An Post Customer Service 705 7600 - Says post delayed. 11 April - An Post tracking shows 1 entry "31 March Accepted at Drumcondra PO" Called into Drumcondra Post Office. Said item left there at 5:30 on 31 March. Called An Post Customer Service : They will follow up with Dublin Mail Center. USPS.com tracking says item not yet received. 12 April - USPS.com item not received. An Post Tracking shows 1 entry "31 March Accepted at Drumcondra PO" Called An Post Customer Service : They will follow up with Dublin Mail Center They will call me back with update. (An Post Customer Service can only interact with Dublin Mail Center by email ? ) 13 April - USPS.com item not received. An Post Tracking shows 1 entry "31 March Accepted at Drumcondra PO" Called into GPO - Advised me to call Customer Service. Called into Drumcondra PO. He called Customer Service No news. Called An Post Customer Service : Item found and will go Express Post tonight. 14 April - USPS.com item not received. An Post Tracking shows 1 entry "31 March Accepted at Drumcondra PO" Called An Post Customer Service. Item still missing. Filled out Enquiry Form. An Post Customer Service have never contacted me by phone despite 4 assurances. An Post lied about finding my mail in the hope I would go away. You live and you learn. Anything important should never be sent by An Post ! The Express Post service An Post advertises is a fraud !

A post office that stays open during lunch - hurrah!…read more Also a decent size inside with lots of counters, of which more than half were staffed at lunchtime - excellent! I was here however to collect a parcel that couldn't be delivered and for that I had to go around the back. If you need to do the same, then go through the gate to the right as you look at the front of the PO. OUt the back to the left you'll find a door and a small vestibule, here the nice man will give you your parcel. They only issue I would have is the docket doesn't really say that you need to go around the back and there is one A4 sized notice inside the main PO (that I could see) saying that for collections, go around the back. I'd been caught out before whereby I'd queue and get to the counter, only to be told to go out back. I think in general An Post could be more informative about collection points and where to find them.

Ben of Howth is a hill on Howth Head that has the most breathtaking view of the sea, Ireland's eye…read moreand the neighbouring golf course. It's 171 metres high and on a sunny summer's day, I can think of no better place to drive to. There isn't much to do here, only hike and enjoy the sights. Yellow rhododendrons and purple heather grow on the hillside which makes the place idyllic. This is a great spot for first time visitors to Ireland. It makes the country seem rugged, wild and beautiful.

On a clear morning, we hike up to the Ben of Howth. From there, if you bring your binoculars (or,…read morelike me, are particularly keen-sighted) you can see Wales to the East and the Isle of Man to the NNE. Just scan the horizon slowly, as if you were looking out for Viking raiders. If you'd ever met any Viking raiders, you'd be up there now trembling in your moccasins. Scan slowly and you'll see tiny bumps on the horizon. Amazing. That's Wales. You have most of the Irish Sea covered. Then it's just a short stroll down the hill (exit by the quarry entrance) and you're having breakfast down in the Village (that's where the big church is, and it's an Assumption (joke).