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Places (POIs) visited during this tour

Place #1
Distance: 0.02mi , Attraction : Hotel
Map Pin
22 O'Connell Street Upper, North City, Dublin, Ireland
POI 1 Tour Image
The Gresham Dublin
Welcome to Historic America's UCPlaces audio walking tour of Dublin, Ireland. I'm Rachel, your guide. I invite you to use #historicamericatours on social media while we're traveling together today. Let's begin!

You're standing in the heart of Dublin, on O'Connell Street. A main thoroughfare for centuries, it's only been called O'Connell street since the Irish won their fight for Independence from Great Britain in 1921. In 1924, the street was renamed after nationalist leader Daniel O'Connell. In the Georgian Era, this thoroughfare was the most fashionable place in the city, but war and political unrest transformed the social and architectural landscape of this historic street. A handful of venerable buildings remain, including the General Post Office, built in 1818, Clerys Department Store, built in 1822, and the oldest of the lot, and the first stop on our tour today, the Gresham Hotel built in 1817.

The Gresham opened as a lodging house that catered to the wealthy aristocracy. Members of Parliament would often stay here en route to or from London. The structure was significantly damaged during the Irish Civil War that followed directly after Ireland's guerilla style fight for independence from Great Britain, but many of the Gresham's original features remain, including the Waterford crystal chandeliers that decorate the interior. A Dublin institution, and a landmark building, this 4 star, 288 guest room hotel was renovated in 2013 and then sold to the RIU Hotel's Resorts brand in 2016 for 92 million euro.

Most of the businesses and buildings on O'Connell street were damaged or destroyed during the Irish Civil War. In the wake of the war's destruction, city planners seized the opportunity to modernize old O'Connell street, and we can see the mix of old and new as we traverse the busy district today. When you're ready, make your way to our next stop; a building with large metallic lettering spelling out the word "Savoy."

Read More

  https://www.riu.com/en/hotel/ireland/dublin/hotel-riu-plaza-the-gresham-dublin/
Place #2
Distance: 0.10mi , Attraction : Historic cinema
Map Pin
17 O'Connell Street Upper, North City, Dublin, Ireland
POI 2 Tour Image
The Savoy Cinema
The Savoy Cinema is the oldest operational cinema in Dublin, and it is the preferred cinema in Ireland for film premiers. This massive movie house rose from the ashes of the Granville Hotel, a building leveled during the Irish Civil War. Part of O'Connell Street's wave of revitalization, the Savoy Cinema opened on November 29th, 1929, and boasted nearly 2,900 seats! Designed by architect FC Mitchell, the theater was built in the atmospheric style.

Atmospheric buildings recreate a specific time and place that is different from the reality outside the structure's doors. In the case of the Savoy, patrons felt as though they'd been transported to a Venetian courtyard. The interior walls featured building facades found in Venice, a decorative arch above the large screen was modeled after the Rialto bridge, and the Doge's Palace was painted on the title curtain. The breathtaking ceiling was painted sky blue, and soared over the grand auditorium, evoking the sensation of walking down a sunlit Italian canal path. Unfortunately, most of these elements were removed during various renovations, reconfigurations and reimaginations. The Savoy is the oldest cinema, but it is also the most altered. In 1969, the massive single screen was divided in two, and in 1975, it was divided into three screens. The theater is now a 13 screen cinema and features LUXX screens that are equipped with deluxe recliner seats and state-of-the-art sound systems. Although streaming platforms and a global pandemic threatened the movie going experience, the Savoy celebrates almost a century of success and still welcomes an average of 250,000 patrons annually.
Use the navigation to continue on O'Connell and left onto North Earl. I'll meet you at the statue of a gentleman with a cane.

Read More

  https://www.historictheatrephotos.com/Atmospheric/Savoy-Dublin.aspx
Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour

Map Pin Place 1 The Gresham Dublin
Map Pin Place 2 The Savoy Cinema
Map Pin Place 3 James Joyce Statue/The Spire/Post Office
Map Pin Place 4 Clerys Clock/Jim Larkin Statue
Map Pin Place 5 O'Connell Monument
Map Pin Place 6 Rosie Hackett Bridge/River Liffey Viewpoint
Map Pin Place 7 Directions
Map Pin Place 8 The Old Parliament Building
Map Pin Place 9 Directions
Map Pin Place 10 Trinity College
Map Pin Place 11 Molly Malone Statue
Map Pin Place 12 Directions
Map Pin Place 13 The Dame Tavern
Map Pin Place 14 City Hall
Map Pin Place 15 Dublin Castle
Map Pin Place 16 Christ Church Cathedral
Map Pin Place 17 St. Patrick's Cathedral



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How to take a UCPlaces tour
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* After purchasing a tour you will receive a purchase confirmation email including the tour link and instructions on how to take the tour, so you don't have to remember anything now.
How does the tour work?
UCPlaces acts as your personal tour guide, providing self-guided audio tours fully navigated within our app using GPS-based navigation. You won't need to switch between external navigation apps.
Whenever you approach a point of interest (POI) on the tour, our app will automatically play the relevant audio story at the right time and place.
If you start the tour before reaching the first POI, the app will navigate you to the starting point and then begin the tour.
How is this more convenient than a traditional tour?
UCPlaces offers an innovative and flexible way to explore exciting destinations on your terms.
Here are some key advantages over traditional tours:
  • No need to commit upfront or purchase in advance; buy a tour only when you're ready to go.
  • Walk at your own pace.
  • No waiting for groups; go on your schedule.
  • Take the tour in your preferred language.
  • Start, stop and continue the tour whenever you want.
  • Returning to the same destination? Take the tour again, and again, and again... And bring a friend!
  • Enjoy preferred prices.

What's included?
  • A self-guided audio tour taken via the UCPlaces app [Android / iOS (iPhone) / Apple CarPlay].
  • Tour route map and in-app GPS navigation (via the UCPlaces app).
  • Audio stories for places visited during the tour.
  • Apple CarPlay connection (for iOS users); for a seamless driving tour experience.
What's NOT included?
  • Earphones (highly recommended).
  • Smartphone.
  • Any kind of transportation (including tickets and passes).
  • Tickets to the attractions on your tour.
  • Food and drinks
  • Physical tour guide.

Have any questions about this tour? Or a general travel / self-guided tours question? That's completely natural

+ How long does this tour take?
Most travelers complete this tour in approximately 1 to 1 hours, depending on pace, time spent at each stop, and optional detours. Having said that, please remember that self-guided tours are extremly flexible (you can start, pause, continue anytime) and everyone has their own pace.
+ What does this tour include?
This self-guided walking tour includes 17 stops, covering top attractions such as The Gresham Dublin, The Savoy Cinema, James Joyce Statue/The Spire/Post Office, Clerys Clock/Jim Larkin Statue, O'Connell Monument.
+ Where does the tour start?
The tour starts at The Gresham Dublin (Address: 22 O'Connell Street Upper, North City, Dublin, Ireland). You can begin the tour there or join from any stop along the route.
+ What type of tour is this?
This is a self-guided walking tour designed to be completed on foot through walkable areas and city highlights.
+ Can I do this tour at my own pace?
Yes, this is a self-guided walking tour, so you can start anytime and explore at your own pace. You can pause, skip stops, or spend more time at places that interest you. You can even split it into multiple days. Explore however feels right for you.
+ Is this a walkable tour?
Yes, this tour is fully walkable and designed to follow a comfortable route through pedestrian-friendly areas.
+ Do I need anything in order to take the tour?
There is one thing that you need - A mobile phone (with the UCPlaces app installed and active location services, and a cellular data plan with a decent signal for downloading the tour) and comfortable walking shoes! But here are some recommendations for a great experience: 1. Make sure your phone is fully charged and bring a mobile charger/battery. 2. Bring earphones for the best experience. 3. Bring a bottle of water and dress appropriately according to the weather forecast.
+ How will I navigate from point to point during the tour?
The tour uses GPS-based navigation through the UCPlaces app, with automatic audio playback and step-by-step directions between stops. Just follow the route (cross streets carefully using crosswalks) and listen to the audio guide. Use the resume feature to continue the from where you recently stopped (or closed the app). Easily skip or go back to stops.
+ Is this tour suitable for families or groups?
Yes, self-guided tours are ideal for families and small groups, allowing everyone to explore comfortably without being tied to a fixed schedule.
+ What makes a self-guided tour better than a guided tour?
Self-guided tours are more flexible, affordable, and personalized. You can avoid crowds, choose your pace, and focus on the stops that interest you most.
+ I installed the app and it's now asking for GPS and media access permissions, why?
The app is your tour-guide, it needs to know where you are located on the map to be able to trigger the points of interest. It also needs access to audio and media files to provide you with this experience.
+ What happens if there are unexpected roadblocks or navigation issues?
We have been working hard to deliver a great experience. Though you may run into unexpected obstacles (the world is constantly changing), our app has multiple features and mechanisms in place to help you overcome them, including: AI assistance, force play an audio if you can't reach the stop, skip or return to stops, automatic rerouting and more.
+ Can I take the tour in my language?
Though all of our tours are primarily in English, many tours are muyltilingual (including: Spanish, German, Portuguese, French, Japanese, Hebrew, French, Arabic and more...). The tour language options depend on the specific tour - You can easily check which languages are available in the tour screen!