Dublin Castle, Dublin (must see)

Perched regally on a ridge overlooking the Liffey, where the Vikings once held sway, sits the illustrious Dublin Castle, a relic of Anglo-Norman conquest in the 13th century. Serving as the nucleus of the walled city, this fortress became the seat of British authority in Ireland for an impressive seven centuries, bravely fending off any and all would-be invaders. Even a fiery catastrophe in 1684 couldn't crumble its resolve – emerging from the ashes in the 18th century as a complex of stately residential and administrative buildings arranged around two quadrangles, exuding an air of dignified elegance.

The medieval contours of the castle are delineated by the Upper Yard, while above its original main gate, the Cork Hill State Entrance, looms a statue of Justice – a poignant symbol of British dominion, according to local lore, as she stands unveiled, gazing away from the city. Visitors are welcome to wander through the courtyards, now housing police and tax offices, before venturing into the opulent State Apartments or the world-renowned Chester Beatty Library, which displays one of the most extensive collections of written works from both Western and Eastern cultures.