Pamper & revive
THERAPIE
8-9, Molesworth Street / 01 472 1222 / www.therapie.ie
An urban sanctuary for beautifying or therapeutic benefits, for men and women. Treatments from exclusive brands including Eve Lom, Elemis, Dr.Murad and Anne Semonin. Make up by Linda Cantello.
NUE BLUE ERIU
7, South William Street / 01 672 5776 / www.nueblueriu.com
This beauty and therapy spa, retails over 80 different beauty and cosmetic brands, and 60 therapy treatments including all manner of waxing, tinting, skincare, tanning and massage options. There's a full complement of treatments for the fellas to including scary deep tissue massage by big Vlad and even shaving seminars.
THE BUFF DAY SPA
52, South King Street / 01 677 4624 / www.thebuffdayspa.com
Situated next to Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre, the Dermalogica facials, Phytomer marine based body wraps and massage options will have you floating out onto Grafton Street. There's an extensive range of tinting, waxing, tanning and manicure options too.
DYLAN BRADSHAW HAIR SALON
5, Johnson's Place / 01 671 9344
Voted best salon in Dublin by Harpers & Queen, clients reportedly include members of U2, The Rolling Stones, Eurythmics, The Corrs, Christie Turlington, Helena Christensen and Victoria Beckham.
Museums & Galleries
CHESTER BEATTY LIBRARY
Clock Tower Building, Dublin Castle / 01 407 0750
An extraordinary cultural treasure house buried in dowdy old Dublin Castle, displaying exquisite, fabulous and rare exhibits from far eastern objets d’art (delicate jade statuary, Japanese armour) some of the earliest Gospels and Byzantine art, all wonderfully and intelligently showcased. Lovely, tranquil roof garden and ace Silk Road Café too (see Eat).
DUBLIN WRITERS’ MUSEUM
18-19 Parnell Square / 01 872 2077
Some diverting memorabilia from Ireland’s many literary greats including Swift, Wilde, Beckett, Joyce, Yeats and Behan. Great basement restaurant (see Eat).
HUGH LANE GALLERY
Parnell Square North / 01 874 1903
Strong on impressionist and other 19th Century art from Manet, Degas and Rodin along with some striking contemporary Irish art.
NATIONAL GALLERY OF IRELAND
Merrion Square West / 01 661 5133
A small but worthwhile collection of important medieval to 20th century art, including works by Caravaggio, Titian, Monet, Degas, Goya, Picasso, Hogarth, Gainsborough and Orpen. Lovely, light-filled Millennium wing.
NATIONAL MUSEUM
Kildare Street / 01 667 7444
A great museum showcasing a dragon’s hoard of Bronze Age gold, a tall Viking warrior’s skeleton, a short (but incredibly well-preserved) dead Bronze Age bog body and excellent coverage of the 1916 Easter Rising.
Views, Walks and Parks
GUINNESS GRAVITY BAR
Guinness Storehouse, St James's Gate / 01 408 4800
Spectacular spot for a sundowner (but skip the brewery tour). 360° views of Dublin – watch day fade to dusk and the lights begin to sparkle.
ST STEPHEN’S GREEN & MERRION SQUARE
Two lovely havens from the hubbub. Merrion square edges it as the calmer, emptier and lovelier of them. Look out for the louche, reclining Oscar Wilde statue.
JOHN ROGERSON’S QUAY
Stroll the length of this quay for a good look at Dublin mid-boom. Cranes and high rises on one side, watery tranquility the other.
GRAND CANAL
A lovely, leafy backwater skirting the southern edge of central Dublin. Ideal for a one hour walk, a cycle or a run.