George Frederic Handel

Located south of the Liffey, the area around Christ Church Cathedral—with its cobblestoned streets and imposing architecture—is a great home base for those wanting to sleep among history. The stunning cathedral dates back to the 11th century, although the present-day version reflects a number of changes over the years, including a late 19th-century "Victorianization." Its finely manicured grounds attract lounging locals and tourists alike.

The neighborhood also provides easy access to Dublin Castle, the "not-really-a-castle" castle from which the British ruled until 1922. And then, of course, there’s the Guinness Brewery (a house of worship to some), a little further west along the river.