Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Dropping the kids off at the
Ark Children's Cultural Centre
,
where their inner per-
former may be awakened.
Shopping for new titles and old classics at
Gutter Bookshop
, one of the best in town.
Explore Temple Bar
You can visit all of Temple Bar's attractions in less than half a day, but that's not really the
point: this cobbled neighbourhood, for so long the city's most infamous party zone, is
really more about ambience than attractions. If you visit during the day, the district's bo-
hemian bent is on display. You can browse for vintage clothes, get your nipples pierced,
nibble on Mongolian barbecue, buy organic food, pick up the latest musical releases and
buy books on every conceivable subject. You can check out the latest art installations,
watch an outdoor movie or join in a pulsating drum circle. By night - or at the weekend -
it's a different story altogether, as the area's bars are packed to the rafters with revellers
looking to tap into their inner Bacchus: it's loud, raucous and usually a lot of fun. Temple
Bar is also Dublin's official 'cultural quarter', so you shouldn't ignore its more high-
minded offerings such as the progressive Project Arts Centre, Temple Bar Gallery & Stu-
dios and the Irish Film Institute (IFI).
Local Life
»
Markets
The Meeting House Square Market (
Click here
) is all about gourmet good-
ies and organic foodstuffs; the Cow's Lane Designer Mart (
Click here
)
is a showcase of
local art and clothing; while the Book Fair (
Click here
)
is the place to pick up secondhand
novels and CDs.
»
Nightlife
A live music gig at the Button Factory (
Click here
)
or the Workman's Club
(
Click here
)
is always a great night out, and you can really get your grind on at Mother
(
Click here
)
on a Saturday night.
»
Brunch
Soaking up the excesses of the night before is a favourite weekend activity,
and we recommend the marvellous mayhem at the Elephant & Castle (
Click here
)
, or the
