Things to do in Balbriggan

Follow the signs to “Faiche Stiabhna”, as the Irish call St. Stephen’s Green, for an inner-city oasis. Admire the Victorian buildings, play soccer, throw a frisbee, watch people, jog, feed the ducks, doze or have a picnic in this popular Dublin park. You could also bring a novel written by one of Dublin’s great authors and read it at the very spot where they found their inspiration!

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.

The Guinness Storehouse pays homage to an Irish favorite. Go with the flow of the pint-shaped inner part of the first Guinness brewery and learn all about the history of the dark stout with its thick froth. This is where you’ll breathe in the aroma of hop and barley, learn how the stout is traditionally poured and to sample its bitter taste.

Trinity College, the University of Dublin, is a campus in the city center. Admire the bell tower and stone buildings dating from the 17th and 18th centuries and view modern art. Learn about famous Irish authors who studied here. Browse the galleries or take a tour to view the relics in the Old Library, with ancient gospels and medieval art exhibits.

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.

Aviva Stadium is the national sports arena, where Ireland plays international rugby and soccer games. The structure has a futuristic design and stands in a picturesque area of fields and a canal. Experience the rhapsody and songs of the nation’s passionate fans in this stadium of 51,700 seats.

The 18th-century Dublin Castle is among the city’s most iconic sites. A small park with pretty floral displays lies behind the castle, which replaced a 13th-century Viking military fortress. Learn its fascinating history as the seat of British and Irish governments over the centuries.