First thing about these place: it is not easy to find! For some reason my GPS sent me to the other…read moreside of the river and I almost lost my appointment. It is located inside a building so it is really easy to miss. Just be attentive and look for the signs. Once I was there everything went smoothly. The whole thing took less than an hour. I got a number, handed my documents, was told to put my hand bag in the locker (they'll give you a key). Then they tell you to go to the end of the corridor where is the room the exam happens. They'll take a headshot of you and collect your signature. You go to the exam room and you do your thing ;) Once you are done you leave the room and wait in the same area you were waiting before. In what seems to be ages they will finally call your name and tell you if you passed or not. Good luck!

I really believe in the importance of volunteering, it's something that I always try to do. It's…read morenot something that I do to make myself look good but I really love the personal high I get off it. It also is an excellent way of making new friends, getting experience in an area that interests you or as has been the case for me, a great way to integrate back into a community. I lived abroad for several years and that was the technique I used when there so I carried it over here and the Irish Aid Centre was wonderful at giving me information about programmes that appealed to me. I cannot recommend this place enough especially for people that have been made unemployed and want to occupy their days. They of course offer other services, such as teaching aids, free lectures/events and information on aid programmes in foreign lands. It really is a travesty that their funding has been cut, the work they enable people do do is so crucial it saddens me think how the people that rule this country will look after the corrupt but the needy are always left wanting. The Centre is a modern bright welcoming affair. Inside are various kiosks that people can use to get more information on volunteer programmes abroad and how Irish Aid helps them. Truly wonderful place with a very important mission.

For anyone interested in working in a development country, the Irish Aid Information Centre is a…read moregood place to start your research. If you have no interest in volunteering, or travelling, you should still pop in, if only to check out the exhibitions and learn how the money Ireland dedicates to development aid is spent, but Irish Aid works on diverse projecys in Ethiopia, Malawi, Lesotho, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Timor Leste and Vietnam. Their current exhibition features photographs and information on one of Irish Aid's projects in Malawi and the power of science for smallholder farmers in the country's Khulungira village. Very interesting and thought provoking. They also frequently host lectures and cultural events so check out their website for the schedule. They loose one star for lack of information about volunteering in Ireland. They have plenty of brochures on oversees volunteering opportunities but nothing for those who want to give some of their free time in Ireland. Even though they specialise in oversees aid, I would have thought that the staff could provide some assistance about where to turn.

Staying at a nearby hotel, I spotted the Wellington Monument and had to walk over to check it out…read more Officially the Wellington Testimonial, it is 203 feet tall which makes it the tallest in Europe. It is a tribute to the victories of the Duke of Wellington. The structure is solid - there are no doors or entrances and you can't climb to the top. It is surrounded by an open grass area that's perfect for tossing a ball or having a picnic. There aren't any benches or seats facing the monument. [Review 1985 of 2024 - 166 in Republic of Ireland - 23007 overall]

The Wellington Monument is located in Dublin's Phoenix Park, and is the tallest obelisk in Europe…read more(which is appropriate, as the Phoenix Park is the largest enclosed park in Western Europe). The monument itself is impressive, and it is nice to sit on the steps and look out across the park on sunny afternoon. One might think it strange the monument was not renamed in the early years of this state, however, as the Duke of Wellington held Ireland and all things Irish in distaste. Born in County Meath, the Duke always insisted that he wasn't Irish, using the analogy that being born in a barn does not make one a horse. Asshole. Bad cess to him anyway, but nice monument, though.

The UCD Archives have one of the best collections of historical documents in all of Ireland…read more Nearly all of their materials have been put on Microfilm so it's easy to go through and find exactly what you want. They have the collections of many important figures in Irish History including the DeValera papers, which scan his entire career, and the epic collection of Ernie O'Malley. The archivists are super nice and helpful. The reading room is small though and you have to make an appointment before you attend, but for the most part it isn't hard to get an appointment.

Traveling the streets of Dublin and heading to Connolly Station, it's easy to forget about the…read morehistory here. In Continental Europe, I find the Stolpersteine monuments, the stumbling stones that commemorate the lives of those killed by the N*zis during World War II. This memorial is just as jarring and the history is more recent. It reads, "In Memory of the victims who died in Dublin and Monaghan Bombings 1974." And then it lists the names: Marie Butler | Anne Byrne | Simone Chetrit | John Dargle | Patrick Fay | Brenda Grace | Mary Mckenna | Ann Massey | Ann Marren | Dorothy Morris | Antonio Magliocco | John O'Brien | Anna O'Brien | Ann-Marie O'Brien | Jacqueline O'Brien | Concepta Dempsey | John Walshe | Christina O'Loughlin | Edward O'Neill | Marie Phelan | Siobhan Roice | Maureen Shields | Breda Turner | Josephine Bradley | Elizabeth Fitzgerald | Archie Harper | Peggy White | Jack Travers | Thomas Campbell | George Williamson | Patrick Askin | Colette Doherty | Thomas Croarkin | Baby Doherty | Baby Martha O'Neill The May 17 1974 bombings were a series of coordinated attacks carried out by the Ulster Volunteer Force. Three car bombs in Dublin during rush hour and the fourth in Monaghan 90 minutes later. They were the deadliest attack of the conflict and the deadliest attack in the Republic's history. No one has ever been charged - theories suggest that British security forces may have been involved. [Review 1841 of 2024 - 97 in Republic of Ireland - 22863 overall]

Easily one of the best things about Tallaght, the library was given a sparkling new home in 2008…read more Now on two floors, there's a local history section in addition to the well-stocked books-and-computers fare. Regular exhibitions and special events take place - check out http://www.southdublinlibraries.ie for details. An ideal escape from the hectic Square Shopping Centre across the road.

Rory Gallagher is a guitar God and if I was reviewing the man himself, he'd be five stars…read more Instead, I'm reviewing a memorial. It is very sad to see such a small memorial here. It's a guitar and his name on a wall. Terrible. This man influenced rock and rollers from Brian May (who credits the sound of Queen to Rory) to Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix. When asked, "How does it feel to be the best guitarist in the world?", Jimi Hendrix (Yeah, THAT Jimi Hendrix replied, "I don't know. Ask Rory Gallagher." Eric Clapton would fly in to Rory shows and only catch the first two songs of the set. When asked, "Why are you leaving so soon? Where are you going?", he replied, "I'm going home to practice." The Edge of U2. Slash of Guns N' Roses. He was invited to replace Mick Taylor of the Rolling Stones. AND HE DECLINED! So yeah, this needs to be a MUCH better memorial.

He's not forgotten Laura, I'm listening to him right now. The traveling Donegal bluesman is…read moreremembered with a copy of his trademark beat up Strat hanging high on the fringes of Temple Bar. You'd miss this one if you weren't looking for it, even if you were, you might never find it. Still, the proximity of so many tatoo'd lady's is something he'd have liked.

Dublin has many great and beautiful buildings. From Trinity to Kings Inns, from Leinster House to…read morethe Aras. But not since Ireland gained its independence has Ireland dared embark on a building so emblematic of where we are as a nation today as it has with the €300 million Dublin Criminal Courts. Prior to entering the complex you hear stories comparing it to the Colosseum or the Parthenon. You see RTE presenters reporting from the steps and you think that its very nice but nothing, nothing at all prepares you for the size and wonder of this magnificent building. Before I carry on, some of you may be wondering why Ireland needs a vast courts building when we already have the Four Courts. The reason is simple enough to be honest: The Four Courts simply couldn't handle it anymore. They are 200 years old and designed for 200 years old volumes when the only people who went to court were the 100 or so people who owned land and had money or peasants who were to be shipped off to some godforsaken hell hole to eat rocks for a living. This simply wasn't a situation that could be tolerated and so the Criminal Courts were envisaged. The new courts have dedicated press rooms, overspill rooms for popular cases, improved areas for juries, barristers, witnesses etc, very pleasant canteen and a fabulous Great Hall which greets you upon entering. Just a quick note here, you will have to go through security at the entrance. Nothing too taxing, just put your bag through the scanner, dump your metals etc in the box and hope you don't beep. Upon entering, might I recommend taking the lift to floor number 6 and then looking out over the main area. That is when you see the vastness of the complex before you. Also to your right you will then see a large full length window with a view over Phoenix Park and Farmleigh House. The courtrooms themselves are also v nice. The seats aren't that comfortable but hey, who said justice was soft :) If you should decide to go watch a case, and I would recommend it, just get the Luas to the Heuston Station stop and potter to the large round building that you won't be able to miss. Trust me.

What a place it looks more like a hotel then a court was called for jury service and the jury room…read morewas really nice and comfortable thankfully I wasn't call for a case and as gary pointed out in his review the views from the 6th floor of Dublin are amazing you would never know this place is a court