Visiting Dublin Castle, Royal Chapel and St. Stephen’s Green
In my earlier post, I mentioned about Grafton Street being the main shopping thoroughfare of Dublin and for those not into shopping, the area is also a great place to walk through considering that at the end of the street you will reach the west side entrance, the Fusiliers Arch aka Traitors Arch to St. Stephen’s Green (Irish: Faiche Stiabhna), a fine and very relaxing green oasis in the heart of the busy city.
Across the west entrance is St. Stephen’s Green Shopping Center which looks like a conservatory and tea house (humongous that is) in a castle estate but yeah it is in the city center and was once Dublin’s biggest shopping center. As well as on the west side you will find the starting point of the Green Line of Dublin Luas Tram. Dublin has new high technology trams.
The park was opened in 1664 and is about 6 hectares. I enjoyed walking around and took a few fotos, of course.
St. Stephen’s Green Park
Fusilier Arch AKA Traitors Arch, and the names of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers who died in the Second Anglo-Boer War in South Africa, a battle between South African Dutch speaking Boer (Farmers) and the British Army. The Irish called the Royal Dublin Fusiliers traitors because they are an Irish Infantry Regiment of the British Army.
The fotos above shows the Green Line Dublin Luas Tram, St. Stephen's Green Park map, random park sceneries with open kiosks, a memorial statue to the ‘Great Famine’ by Edward Delaney, and a beautiful rose petal bronze sculpture.
Dublin Castle
The Dublin Castle (Irish: Caisleán Bhaile Átha Cliath) off Dame Street is for most of the Irish can remember, the seat of the British Rule in Ireland. It was founded sometime in 1169 by the orders of King John of England mainly for defensive work purposes and largely completed in 1230. My driver to the Wicklow Mountains told me that they have erected Lady Justice with the scales statue HER EYES CLOSED on top of the gates of Fortitude and Justice on Upper Yard, Dublin Castle. This meant justice had turned her back to the Irish people during the British rule.
The Upper Yard of Dublin Castle with the building where the Irish Crown Jewels were stolen.
Lady Justice and her sword and scales but with her eyes closed.
I didn’t do the Castle Tour as I was not in the mood to be walking between walls from one room to another. All I know is it houses a beautiful state apartment and this is where the Irish Crown Jewels were stolen in 1907, and currently, Dublin Castle is not just a major tourist attraction but is also used as a conference center, as well as being the set stage of the Irish-Canadian TV series, Tudors.
Moreover, the castle hosts official state visits, state banquets and other government related events of importance, and during Ireland’s EU presidency, it acted as its central base.
A charming and very typical, 'A day in Ireland' foto, taken right across the Dublin Castle entrance.
The Royal Chapel, Dublin Castle
The Royal Chapel was previously an official Church of Ireland chapel, but now a Roman Catholic, it has one of the beautiful Gothic revival interiors with intricately carved stuccos. There is a large impressive organ as well at the rear part of the chapel.
There are no mass services held here anymore but the chapel is open to the public for free viewing.
The chapel annexed to Dublin Castle, just before entering the Upper Yard gates.
Travel Period: September 2010
Destination: Dublin, Ireland
Across the west entrance is St. Stephen’s Green Shopping Center which looks like a conservatory and tea house (humongous that is) in a castle estate but yeah it is in the city center and was once Dublin’s biggest shopping center. As well as on the west side you will find the starting point of the Green Line of Dublin Luas Tram. Dublin has new high technology trams.
The park was opened in 1664 and is about 6 hectares. I enjoyed walking around and took a few fotos, of course.
St. Stephen’s Green Park
Fusilier Arch AKA Traitors Arch, and the names of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers who died in the Second Anglo-Boer War in South Africa, a battle between South African Dutch speaking Boer (Farmers) and the British Army. The Irish called the Royal Dublin Fusiliers traitors because they are an Irish Infantry Regiment of the British Army.
The fotos above shows the Green Line Dublin Luas Tram, St. Stephen's Green Park map, random park sceneries with open kiosks, a memorial statue to the ‘Great Famine’ by Edward Delaney, and a beautiful rose petal bronze sculpture.
Dublin Castle
The Dublin Castle (Irish: Caisleán Bhaile Átha Cliath) off Dame Street is for most of the Irish can remember, the seat of the British Rule in Ireland. It was founded sometime in 1169 by the orders of King John of England mainly for defensive work purposes and largely completed in 1230. My driver to the Wicklow Mountains told me that they have erected Lady Justice with the scales statue HER EYES CLOSED on top of the gates of Fortitude and Justice on Upper Yard, Dublin Castle. This meant justice had turned her back to the Irish people during the British rule.
The Upper Yard of Dublin Castle with the building where the Irish Crown Jewels were stolen.
Lady Justice and her sword and scales but with her eyes closed.
I didn’t do the Castle Tour as I was not in the mood to be walking between walls from one room to another. All I know is it houses a beautiful state apartment and this is where the Irish Crown Jewels were stolen in 1907, and currently, Dublin Castle is not just a major tourist attraction but is also used as a conference center, as well as being the set stage of the Irish-Canadian TV series, Tudors.
Moreover, the castle hosts official state visits, state banquets and other government related events of importance, and during Ireland’s EU presidency, it acted as its central base.
A charming and very typical, 'A day in Ireland' foto, taken right across the Dublin Castle entrance.
The Royal Chapel, Dublin Castle
The Royal Chapel was previously an official Church of Ireland chapel, but now a Roman Catholic, it has one of the beautiful Gothic revival interiors with intricately carved stuccos. There is a large impressive organ as well at the rear part of the chapel.
There are no mass services held here anymore but the chapel is open to the public for free viewing.
The chapel annexed to Dublin Castle, just before entering the Upper Yard gates.
Travel Period: September 2010
Destination: Dublin, Ireland
