Side Trips from Dublin - Dublin - page 150

ATTRACTIONS
Ardgillan Castle and Park Between Balbriggan and Skerries,
this exquisitely restored 18th-century castellated country house sits
right on the coastline on sumptuously manicured lawns. The house
was built in 1738 and contains some fine period furnishings and
antiques. But the real draw is the setting, right on the edge of the
Irish Sea, with miles of walking paths and coastal views as well as a
rose garden and an herb garden. Behind the lavish rose garden,
there's also a nice cafe for grabbing a quick bite or some ice cream.
Balbriggan, County Dublin. & 01/849-2212. Admission to house € 5 ($6) adults,
€ 10 ($12) families. Castle Oct-Dec and Feb-Mar

Tues-Sun 11am-4:30pm; Apr-June and Sept Tues-Sun 11am-6pm; July-Aug daily
11am-6pm. Park daily dawn to dusk. Closed Jan. Free parking year-round. Sign-
posted off N1. Bus: 33.

3 ($3.60) seniors and students, €

Casino Marino Standing on a gentle rise 4.8km (3 miles) north
of the city center, this 18th-century building is considered one of
the finest garden temples in Europe. Designed in the Franco-Roman
neoclassical style by Scottish architect Sir William Chambers, it was
constructed in the garden of Lord Charlemont's house by the Eng-
lish sculptor Simon Vierpyl. Work commenced in 1762 and was
completed 15 years later. It is particularly noteworthy for its elabo-
rate stone carvings and compact structure, which make it appear to
be a single story tall (it is actually two stories tall).
Malahide Rd., Marino, Dublin 3. & 01/833-1618. Admission € 3 ($3.60) adults,
€ 7

($8.45) families. Feb-Apr and Nov Sun and Thurs noon-4pm; May and Oct daily
noon-5pm; June-Sept daily 10am-6pm. Closed Dec-Jan. Bus: 20A, 20B, 27, 27A,
27B, 42, 42B, or 42C.

2 ($2.40) seniors and group members, € 1.25 ($1.50) students and children, €

The Fry Model Railway On the grounds of Malahide Cas-
tle (see listing below), this is an exhibit of rare handmade models of
more than 300 Irish trains, from the introduction of rail to the pres-
ent. The trains were built in the 1920s and 1930s by Cyril Fry, a
railway engineer and draftsman. The complex includes items of Irish
railway history dating from 1834, and models of stations, bridges,
trams, buses, barges, boats, the River Liffey, and the Hill of Howth.
Malahide, County Dublin. & 01/846-3779. Admission € 6 ($7.20) adults, € 5.25
($6.30) seniors and students,

Kids

18 ($21) families. Apr-Oct
Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 2-6pm; Nov-Mar Sun 2-5pm. Closed for tours 1-2pm
year-round. Suburban Rail to Malahide. Bus: 42.

€ 3.50 ($4.20) children, €

Howth Castle Rhododendron Gardens On a steep slope
about 13km (8 miles) north of downtown, this 12-hectare (30-acre)
garden was first planted in 1875 and is best known for its 2,000