Stones of Dublin

Book excerpt: Stand on any street in Dublin and one is confronted with history. Behind the façades of the ten buildings featured here is the story of Dublin, bringing to life key events and characters from the past. The buildings include: Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin's oldest church; Dublin Castle, the colonisers' castle; Trinity College Dublin, the first seat of learning; the Old Parliament House (Bank of Ireland); City Hall, the centre of civic life; Kilmainham Gaol, where leaders of the rebellions of 1798, 1803, 1848, 1867 and 1916 were detained; St James' Gate Brewery, home of Guinness; the iconic GPO, the last great Georgian public building erected; the national theatre and 'cradle of Irish drama', the Abbey, and Croke Park, home of the Gaelic Athletic Association and a cathedral of sport. These survive as tangible reminders of Dublin's past and help shape the city landscape today. Bringing together the stories of these landmark buildings takes us on a wonderful journey through the shifting social, political and cultural history of Ireland's capital.