The Old Jamesons Distillery - home to Irelands favourite whiskey

I have to say I prefer the Old Jameson's Distillery as a visitor attraction to the Guinness Storehouse for the simple reason that the tour here is guided whereas in Guinness’s you are left to your own devices. Which can be very pleasant, especially above in the Gravity Bar with a view of the city and a pint in your hand, but for me I want something more?

I like to leave a place a little bit wiser and in Jameson's case (a little bit tipsy) having learned something. Properly guided tours will do that for you and at Jameson's it’s very well done, just the right length of time and information to hold your attention, finishing up with a genuinely, convivial tasting session in the Jameson's Bar.

Perhaps, when you understand how something is made you appreciate it more? It’s quite amazing how three simple ingredients, barley, water and yeast can be turned into ‘uisce beatha’ or the water of life? And interesting too, how each of the processes, whether it was the malting of the barley, the marrying of the whiskey in casks or the vatting into bottles, shaped the lives and social history of such a small part of Dublin. Surely they could never have imagined Jameson's whiskey becoming the global phenomenon it is today.

Situated in an historical part of Dublin, Smithfield market is surrounded by cobbled streets. The original building is lovely with a theatre, bar, shop and restaurant, which seems to be very popular with ‘legal people’ (which must make for some great people watching) from the nearby Four Courts.


Old Jameson Distillery, Bow St, Smithfield, Dublin 7.


Phone 01-8072355 /Open 7 days a week


Admission Adult €13 Senior & Student €9.60 Family €29 (online discounts)


Website: www.irelands-hidden-gems.com/jamesons.html


By Susan Byron author of http://www.irelands-hidden-gems.com/index.html

Taras Palace one of the largest dolls houses in the world

Taras Palace at Powerscourt House in Wicklow, is one of the greatest dolls houses in the world, on par with the Fairy Castle in Chicago, and Queen Marys own dolls house at Windsor Castle in London.

Taras Palace is modeled on the famous Titania’s Palace which was sadly lost to Ireland in the 1970s and is now on display at Egeskov Castle in Denmark. The original having been built in Dublin in the early 1900s for Sir Neville Wilkinson’s daughter Gwendolen, who like all other little girls believed in fairies.

A wealthy man, he commissioned artists and craftsmen from all over the world to recreate this view of their privileged world in precise and meticulous miniature. With 18 rooms and over 3000 individual pieces it took some 18 years to complete and such a triumph that it went on public display for childrens’ charities, a role Tara’s Palace continues today.

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The 9' wide façade is a combination of famous Irish Houses notably Leinster, Carton and Castletown, with many of those unique interiors such as the Print Room in Castletown having been recreated to a scale of one twelfth of their original size. Yet, like all dolls houses Taras Palace is primarily a toy, designed to ignite the imagination of children of all ages.

“Enter the hall, with its marble stairs, Look around and sit in the chairs,

Take off your coat and hat, Go upstairs and stroke the cat...”

From 'The Story of the Present' by Miss Amanda Stafford.

Such is the level of craftsmanship that is extremely easy to imagine this fabulous dolls house coming to life. It’s all in the detail, the keys actually fit and turn in each of the tiny locks, and every visitor is sure to have their own favourite?

Whether it’s the grand reception rooms, kitchen with its tray set for afternoon tea, toys in the nursery or the music room with its exquisite tiny golden violin. From the library with it collection of readable first editions to the ornate plaster ceilings and inlaid parquay floors with persian rugs it’s fascinating and one of those rare exhibits that you could visit over and over again and still find something new to marvel at....especially as generous benefactors are constantly adding to the collection.

For more information please visit www.taraspalace.ie/

By Susan Byron author of www.irelands-hidden-gems.com