Travelore Tips: Dublin Pass Relaunched To Help Visitors As Irish Tourism Booms

DUBLIN, Ireland - With Ireland's visitor numbers up by nine per cent in 2014 and further increases expected this year, the Dublin Pass, a sightseeing card which helps visitors save time and money, has been relaunched to make the capital city more convenient and accessible for tourists.

The Dublin Pass has been revamped with a new smartphone- and tablet-ready website, making it easier to purchase, and now offers entry to 33 of the city's top attractions, as well as discounts and exclusive offers at 20 more venues, a one-way Aircoach transfer into the centre of Dublin from the city's airport, a free guidebook and fast-track entry at some of the busiest attractions.

Priced from €39 per adult and €21 per child (aged 5-15) for a one-day pass, the Dublin Pass is a convenient single purchase showcasing the best of the city while minimising the time spent waiting for tickets at each attraction.

Featured attractions include:

Guinness Storehouse - learn how this Irish icon is made and sample some in the Gravity Bar, with 360-degree views across Dublin.
Dublin Zoo - view 400 animals in a variety of exotic habitats, right in the heart of the city.

Aviva Stadium Tour - go behind the scenes in the changing rooms and players' tunnel at the home of the Irish rugby union and football teams.

National Wax Museum PLUS - come face-to-face with some of Ireland's famous writers including Samuel Beckett and Oscar Wilde - but watch out for Dracula and Hannibal Lecter!

Glasnevin Museum - the story of modern Ireland told through interactive exhibitions and engaging cemetery tours. One of the city's most popular attractions.

Old Jameson Distillery - a tour through the history of Irish Whiskey making … with the chance to become a 'Qualified Irish Whiskey Taster' too!

Croke Park Stadium Tour - at the heart of Irish sporting life for more than 100 years, Croke Park gives visitors a chance to learn about the fastest field games in the world, hurling and Gaelic football.

Christ Church Cathedral - dating from 1030, the cathedral is Dublin's oldest building and is of rich cultural significance.
Dublinia - discover the Viking and Medieval history of the city through three separate exhibitions.

Jeanie Johnston Tallship & Famine Museum - a 50-minute tour of this full-size replica tall ship tells the story of the poverty-stricken emigrants who escaped Ireland's potato famine for North America.
On a one-day Dublin Pass (€39) visitors can save after visiting just three attractions - head to the Guinness Storehouse (normally €18), Dublin Zoo (€16.80) and the Old Jameson Distillery Tour (€15) and save over €10. Visitors on the two-day pass (€61) can save money after visiting just five attractions.

Prices

• One-day Dublin Pass - €39 per adult, €21 per child (aged 5-15 years).

• Two-day Dublin Pass - €61 per adult, €35 per child.

• Three-day Dublin Pass - €71 per adult, €42 per child.

• Six-day Dublin Pass - €105 per adult, €54 per child.

Children aged under 5 gain free entry to Dublin attractions.

Guinness Storehouse Ireland's Most-Visited Paid Tourist Attraction

DUBLIN, Ireland - A pint of the black stuff is still your only man for tourists, with another record-breaking year for the Guinness Storehouse as the country's number one international visitor attraction.

There were more than 1.25 million visitors in 2014 - breaking all previous records.

Some 1,269,371 guests flocked through the door of the venerable home of the black stuff at St James's Gate over the last 12 months - a 9.7pc increase on 2013 visitor numbers.

Most of the visitors were from overseas, at 93pc, with guests from the United States and the UK the top nationalities, followed by Ireland and France.

August was the busiest month of the year, with 148,683 visitors pouring through the gates.

Paul Carty, managing director of Guinness Storehouse, said last year alone they welcomed visitors from more than 20 countries.

Failte Ireland said there was an appetite across the globe for authentic Irish experiences.

For more details please visit: www.guinness-storehouse.com/ 

For more information about planning your trip to Ireland please visit: http://www.ireland.com/en-us/

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Travelore Tips: 10 Free Things To Do In Dublin

Contributed By Emma Levine

Make your euros stretch that little bit further on your trip to Dublin. Visitors to Ireland's capital can benefit hugely from the wealth of free attractions in the city, whether your love is for art, culture or simply a great walk. Here are some of our favorites from well-known landmarks to attractions off the beaten track.

Irish Museum of Modern Art

A vast collection of modern and contemporary art, housed in the 17th-century Royal Hospital Kilmainham, once used for retired soldiers. Established in 1990, the galleries now host a selection from the permanent collection, many works by Irish artists, with a selection of sculptures in the expansive grounds.

National Gallery

Celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, the National Gallery collection now boasts around 15,000 works from the 13th to 21st centuries, from Flemish scenes by Bruegel to a portrait of Dublin's own Seamus Heaney. Look out for epic paintings by Caravaggio, Monet's tranquil landscapes and Picasso's still lifes.

Howth

For just a few euros for a ticket on the DART train, it's a quick ride to Howth, a picturesque coastal village and suburb north west of central Dublin. Originally an island, you can now enjoy a seven mile walking loop around Howth Head peninsula, then visit the 14th-century castle.

Oscar Wilde Statue

This life-size sculpture of one of the world's most famous playwrights is carved from coloured marble sourced from around Ireland. Wilde lounges languidly, lying on a stone in Archbishop Ryan Park in the heart of Georgian Dublin's Merrion Square. He appears to be glancing over at his former home -- now an American college.

Grand Canal

It's a peaceful, scenic walk from Grand Canal Square -- or cycle. A good starting point is the Waterways Ireland Visitors Centre at Grand Canal Dock. Along the waterfront, see the statue of author Patrick Kavanagh and alongside willow trees bending onto the water, where ducks and moorhens call home.

National Museum of Decorative Arts and History

One of three national museums in Dublin, the imposing building alone is worth a visit, original site of Collins Barracks sitting in a vast courtyard where military excercises once took place. Don't miss What's In Store, a treasure trove of items that don't always make it to displays, but this array of artifacts is packed with Irish glass, silver and applied arts - -even Japanese Samurai swords.

Liffey Boardwalk

Running along the north side of the River Liffey, this is a good traffic-free option in an otherwise busy area. Begin at Custom House Quay and see the Famine Memorial, Rowan Gillespie's sculptures to those who died during the 19th century famine. Head west to pass the mammoth O'Connell Street and quaint Ha'Penny Bridge, and onwards to the Four Courts.

Phoenix Park

Once a hunting ground for deer in the 17th century, this enormous urban park can take hours to explore, with its lawns, sports fields and visitors centre. Each Saturday, take a free guided tour of Aras an Uachtarain (the President's residence) to see the grand drawing rooms and offices in this 18th-century building, where Ireland's president lives and holds meetings.

Chester Beatty Library

If the queues to see the Book of Kells is too large you'll find this gem of a collection, a bequest of the late mining magnate, Sir Chester Beatty, a blessed relief. See religious manuscripts, miniature paintings and decorative arts ranging from 2700 B.C. to the present day. In well laid-out galleries, highlights include European medieval manuscripts and illuminated copies of the Qur'an.

National Botanic Gardens

An oasis of calm and tranquility lies 2 miles north of the city centre, with opened in 1795. The Victorian glasshouses are outstanding, including the restored curvilinear range and Great Palm House. Around 15,000 plant species lie in manicured grounds, from around the world, including rose garden and alpine yard.