10 Best Monuments in Dublin

When planning what to see and do in Dublin, it is mandatory to take into account the city's monuments. In the case of the Irish capital, you'll find several really interesting ones, from those linked to its turbulent (and sometimes sad) history to the religious temples that line its streets.

We've put together a ten-point list of Dublin's top ten landmarks. The first item on the list is on the banks of the River Liffey and just a few metres from EPIC, the Irish Emigration Museum.

The Great Famine of 1845 was the most fateful historical event in Irish history. In that year, a fungus called 'Phytophthora infestans' destroyed the country's potato crop and its effects lasted until 1852.

Irish leaders asked the British to repeal the "corn law", a tax on wheat that increased the price of wheat significantly. It was not enough and the famine took the lives of thousands of people, while many others had to leave the island forever.

The Famine Memorial commemorates all the men and women who left Ireland to seek a better life on the other side of the Atlantic. The sculptures depict people with haggard faces as they walk beside the river. The work is signed by Rowan Gillespie and is located under the Custom House, the old customs house in the harbour.

• Visiting hours: Open air
• Price: free of charge
• Where: Custom House Quay, North Dock, Dublin

Its origins are somewhat uncertain, although it is thought to have been an ancient Gaelic fort. It was subsequently taken over by the Vikings and the British, who held it until Irish independence.

Cross the threshold and you can visit the throne room, St Patrick's Hall (the old ballroom) and the state flats, among others. There is also a bar (The Terrace Café) and a gift shop.

The fortress is open every day of the week from 9.45am to 5.45pm (last entry at 5.15pm). Admission costs around €8 although there are discounts for children and the over-60s. If you want to save money, you might consider buying the Dublin Pass, a tourist card that includes admission to a number of attractions in the Irish capital.

• Visiting hours: Monday to Sunday and public holidays, 9.45am-5.45pm.
• Price: adults £8.00, over 60s and students £6.00, children (12-17 years) £4.00
• Where: Dame Street

Molly Malone is the title of a popular Irish song and a famous statue at the foot of St Andrew's Church. But who was Molly Malone? According to legend, by day she sold cockles and mussels in the streets while by night she was a woman of gallant life.

Known for her great beauty, she met a tragic death. Some think it was due to a high fever, others to an illness she contracted from a customer.

It is not known for certain whether she really existed, but what is certain is that she has become a symbol of Dublin and therefore of Ireland. Her statue was designed by Irish sculptor Jeanne Rynhart and has occupied this corner of the city since 1988. Molly Malone is depicted in the act of pulling a trolley with wicker baskets. These baskets contained cockles and mussels, the seafood Molly used to sell in 17th century Dublin.

The song that tells her story is an Irish pub classic and has been performed by artists such as Sinead O'Connor, U2 and The Dubliners. Unlike what you might think, it was composed not on the island but in Edinburgh.

In the intentions of its creator - Scotsman James Yorkston - it was a humorous song but it was so popular in Ireland that it has become the country's unofficial anthem. Also known as "In Dublin's Fair City" and "Cockles and mussels".

• Visiting hours: Open air
• Price: Free
• Where: Suffolk Street

Any two or three day trip to Dublin should include it. St Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and the capital's main church is dedicated to him. The first wooden church was founded in 1191 although the present cathedral was begun around 1220. The cathedral is notable for its wonderful Gothic style and the tomb of Jonathan Swift, the author of "Gulliver's Travels".

In addition to masses, the Dublin church hosts classical and contemporary music concerts. To keep up to date with the events, I recommend you take a look at the official website.

There are several bars and restaurants in the vicinity of the cathedral. If you fancy fish & chips, I recommend the Ritz Cafe (3 Patrick Street, Dún Laoghaire).

• Visiting hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4:30pm. Saturdays from 9:00 to 17:30 and Sundays from 9:00 to 10:30, 13:00 to 14:30 and 16:30 to 17:30.
• Price: around €8
• Where: St Patrick's Close

Daniel O'Connell, nicknamed 'The Liberator', was the first great nationalist leader of the 19th century. If Ireland has gained independence from the United Kingdom, part of the credit goes to him. Thanks to his charisma, he was able to unite the people and guarantee greater rights to Catholics. He was not in favour of violence and his thinking influenced many supporters of independence.

Daniel O'Connell is a much-loved figure, so much so that Dublin's main thoroughfare is named after him. At the end of the street, just a few metres from the river, stands a bronze monument dedicated to him.

Designed by John Henry Foley - one of the greatest sculptors of his day - it has stood guard over the Old Town since 1882. If you look closely, you'll see bullet holes dating back to the Easter Rising, the Irish rebellion of 1916.

• Visiting hours: Open air
• Price: free
• Where: O'Connell Street Lower

The General Post Office was the last Georgian building to be built in the city. Its imposing façade dominates O'Connell Street and is still in use today.

In addition to its architectural importance, it is notable for its 'role' in the 1916 Easter Rising. Over a century ago, the office was the headquarters of the mutineers. Although the rebellion ended in failure, it was crucial to achieving Irish independence.

For just under a week, the rebels occupied the building until they were forced to surrender. To learn more about the history of the uprising, I recommend booking a visit to the GPO Museum. If you travel to Dublin in December you can enjoy the Christmas Experience organised by the cultural institution.

• Visiting hours: Wednesday to Saturday, 10am-5pm
• Price: around €13
• Where: O'Connell Street Lower

A short distance from Trinity College, a life-size figure depicts the writer as he rests on a rock. The statue is located in Merrion Square Park and has a peculiarity: the face expresses two contrasting feelings. The left side shows a happy face, while the right side has a sad expression. This feature symbolises Oscar Wilde's departed soul

The statue looks towards the old Wilde family home at 1 Merrion Square. The writer was fortunate enough to be born into a wealthy family and his residence was the epicentre of Dublin's cultural life.

The house can be visited and the tour includes the bookshop and the main drawing room where Lady Jane Wilde held her famous soirées. For more information, I recommend you consult the official website.

• Visiting hours: open air
• Price: free
• Where: Merrion Square Park

North of Dublin is the resting place of millions of Irish people. Nationalist leaders Arthur Griffith, Michael Collins and Daniel O'Connell, revolutionary suffragette Constance Markievicz, poet Brendan Francis Behan and other influential figures are eternally buried here.

Glasnevin Cemetery is huge - it measures more than 120 acres - and its graves reflect the changes in tastes and styles over the centuries.

From Monday to Sunday, walking tours will reveal the secrets of the cemetery. Tours start at the Museum's reception area, usually last an hour and a half and are led by experienced tour guides.

There are several options for getting to the cemetery, the most popular being the tourist bus that stops near the entrance. Other options are the city bus (lines 4, 9, 40, 83, and 140) or the local train (DART, Drumcondra stop).

After a walk, you can have a drink at SI Café - The Tower which is just a stone's throw from O'Connell Tower (Glasnevin Cemetery, Botanic). Another option is John Kavanagh - The Gravediggers, a family pub opened in 1833. It maintains a separate area that was once dedicated to women (don't worry, nowadays anyone can sit there) and no phone calls or music are allowed (Prospect Square 1).

• Visiting hours: Open daily from 9am to 5pm.
• Price: A tour of the cemetery and an in-depth look at Irish history costs around €13.
• Where: Finglas Road, Glasnevin

In the middle of O'Connell Street, not far from the General Post Office, stands a modern steel obelisk. It stands 120 metres high and is the tallest structure in the Old Town.

Also known as An Túr Solais (Monument of Light), it does not commemorate anything specific: it is simply a gigantic meeting point in a commercial area.

In the past, a large granite column topped by a statue of Horatio Nelson stood on the same site. The monument was unveiled in 1809, just after his victory at Trafalgar. After Irish independence, the citizens wanted to replace Nelson with an Irish patriot, but the city council could not make up its mind. It was finally blown up by the Republican army in 1966.

If you're passing through O'Connell Street at lunchtime and fancy a traditional dish with a pint of Guinness, I recommend Brannigan's (9 Cathedral Street). This historic establishment is the place to go for Bangers & Mash, pork sausages served with mashed potatoes seasoned with cheddar cheese, leeks and caramelised cabbage.

• Visiting hours: Open air
• Price: Free
• Where: O'Connell Street Upper

It was donated to Trinity College in 1992, which placed it in front of the bookshop. It is a large metal sphere with a cracked surface that reveals another cracked sphere inside.

According to the artist, the inner ball represents the Earth while the outer ball represents Christianity. He has sisters in Pesaro, Rome, Washington, New York, Tokyo and Tehran.

• Visiting hours: open air
• Price: Free of charge
• Where: Trinity College