Travel to Dublin

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Dublin, Ireland

Oscar Wilde, Samuel Beckett, James Joyce, Bernard Shaw, Jonathan Swift are just a few of the great writers who were inspired by the unique atmosphere of this young, cosmopolitan Irish capital. Dublin comes across as a relaxed yet dynamic place with a provincial feel to it. The city itself is split in two by the Liffey, with a number of bridges connecting the two sides, the most famous of which is undoubtedly Halfpenny Bridge. Don't be fooled though; the city has a heritage many could only dream of, though little trace remains of the Vikings who settled here over 1,000 years ago. You will find the odd relic of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries though, as you wander the neat little streets of the city, elegantly and nobly lined with Georgian and even occasionally, though rarely, Victorian or Edwardian houses. You will also notice that the fans you see above the doors, made with varying degrees of intricacy, and their busy colours make for a pleasant contrast with the red brick and dark stone of the houses. The city is also known for its very central cathedrals of St. Patrick and Christ Church, each beautiful in their own way and relatively close to each other, whilst the huge and very well-known Trinity College, right at the heart of the city, is home to the famous library and the true literary gem that is the superb Book of Kells, with its incredibly sharp writing. On the outskirts of the city, however, you will find the stylish and modern Guinness Storehouse which is totally devoted to the hop. Indeed, as is the case throughout the country, getting together, sometimes even playing traditional music, is a way of life here, so if you want to enjoy a truly Irish experience, take a stroll round the paved streets of the famous Temple Bar district, stop off at one of the many pubs, each with its own history (some are even several centuries old!), and order the inevitable pint of Guinness, an amber beer with an inimitable taste, or another beer if you'd rather, watch a match and just enjoy the inimitably welcoming atmosphere. A lively city if ever there was one, by day or by night, the hustle and bustle of Dublin never stops!

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pros

•  A city with a rich heritage
•  Cosmopolitan and welcoming people
•  Thousands of pubs, all of which enjoy a friendly ambience

cons

•  Accommodation and eating out is expensive
•  There are certain streets which should be avoided at night

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map Ireland

Visit Dublin

• To see

  Dublin and the weekend festivities for Saint Patrick's Day, the country's national day! If your stay doesn't happen to coincide with this weekend, don't panic - the Irish capital is always alive with all types of music and entertainment, both indoors and in the street, at any time of the day or night! This is particularly true on the weekend and in the unmissable Temple Bar district, where street singers perform to passing audiences who stop for a while to enjoy the eclectic sounds. There is also a large wall in this area of the city where various Irish celebrities, including U2, are proudly depicted, standing shoulder to shoulder in front of the Guinness pumps, talking, laughing, some even singing, as is the case of Molly Mallone, a bronze statue which has been erected at the heart of the city. Of course, all this good spirit and the pace of life here, not to mention the blatant friendliness of the people and the human warmth which is rarely lacking in this young, cosmopolitan city, very quickly wins over visitors to area.
  Those who are interested in heritage will be pleased to know that the city is home to many unmissable visitor attractions, including Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin Castle, the huge Guinness Storehouse, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Trinity College, where 'The Book of Kells' is kept, and the superbly rich National Museum of Ireland (which is divided into three separate parts). Entry to the latter is free of charge, as is the Chester Beatty Library, the National Botanic Gardens, the Irish Museum of Modern Art, the Garden of Remembrance and the National Photographic Archive.
  Some might be interested in visiting the charming Number Twenty Nine museum, which takes visitors back in time to experience the atmosphere of an authentic Georgian house, whilst for others, the Old Jameson Distillery, which is now a tourist temple where visitors can see how Jameson's whiskey is made, might be more up your street. Dublin City Hall, meanwhile, presents a very detailed and educational history of the city, from its birth right up to the present day, whilst the Dublin Writers Museum, the James Joyce Centre, the James Joyce Museum and the Shaw Birthplace, among others, pay fond tribute to the capital's famous writers.
  Following your nose, take a walk across the city, enjoy a stroll through its beautifully romantic parks and, whatever you do, don't miss the little markets in the narrow little side streets around Temple Bar, or perhaps you would like to get to know a bit more about the religious heritage of the city from its beautiful houses with their colourful doors which have now been converted into non-religious establishments, including The Church Café, Bar, the Restaurant and Club, Jervis St./Mary St. and Dublin 1, among others.

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  To do

  First things first. A quick visit to Dublin's very dynamic tourist office, located right at the heart of the city in a former Church (Suffolk St., Dublin 2), is highly recommended. Try the Temple Bar Cultural Information Centre (12 East Essex St., Temple Bar, Dublin 2) too! From here, you can take the 'Hop on, Hop off' city tour bus for a quick overview of the city and its many points of interest in just an hour and a half, after which you can stop off at those you'd like to spend more time at. If you get the chance, try and catch a match at Croke Park, if only to experience the atmosphere, or even sit in a pub and watch a Gaelic football, hurling or rugby match with the locals if you really want to get to grips with Irish culture and feel the famous Irish fighting spirit - the passion is second-to-none!
  When the weather's grey and gloomy here, the incredible welcome that you get in the pubs will soon give you a warm feeling, with all ages coming together and letting down their guard. Go along and watch an Irish music and dance show if you can, for a real insight into the traditional Irish culture and spirit (such as the one at the Merry Plough Boy, Rockbrook or even Rathfarnham, which is in the middle of the countryside, so you will need to take a taxi to get there).
  The city has a cultural programme which would put many capitals to shame, with a plethora of international artists falling over themselves to perform in front of Irish audiences, who are great concert lovers.
  It is also worth taking the time to travel around outside of Dublin to enjoy its wonderful surroundings, from the sea to the mountains, such as the lush green hills of Wicklow, everything that Glendalough has to offer, and the gardens of Avondale House and Malahide Castle, to name but a few.

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  To think about

  Don't forget that the currency used in Ireland is the Euro. Shops here open both during the week and on weekends, and many shops stay open in the evening, some late into the night, which is perfect if you're prone to getting a bit peckish before bedtime!
  The 'Dublin Pass' gives you free entry to over 30 tourist attractions and access to over 25 special offers. It also means you can save time by jumping the queues and passes can be bought for 1, 2, 3 or 6 days, the latter giving you the best deal (for information visit www.dublinpass.ie).
  As far as transport is concerned, you'll have no trouble finding a taxi here, at any hour of the day or night, and whilst the Dublin buses run from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm during the week, they also provide a limited service from 12:30 am to 4:30 am on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from the city centre out to the surrounding areas. Other alternatives include the city's tramway network, as well as its clean and easily navigated DART suburb train network, providing a quick way out of the city centre if you fancy a stroll by the sea or in the lush green surrounding countryside.

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• To avoid

  Don't forget that you'll be expected to tip in Ireland (between 10 and 15%). A smoking ban was introduced here in 2004 so it is no longer permitted to smoke in the famous pubs, bars, restaurants or discos, unless there is an interior courtyard!
  
  Dublin enjoys a temperate climate, with the sun breaking through when you least expect it and the rain coming equally quickly. The weather here changes quickly, so don't forget to pack your umbrella!

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  To try

  If you're new to Ireland, or even if you're not, it is a good idea to take the Story of Irish Food Tour for an insight into traditional Irish food in the capital (www.historicalinsights.ie). The local specialty is Irish stew, a dish similar to casserole, whilst the old English favourite fish and chips is also popular. The traditional Irish breakfast consists of sausage, bacon, slices of black pudding, baked beans, fried eggs, fried tomatoes and toast, but if that doesn't appeal to you, don't worry - Dublin is simply bursting with restaurants serving various cuisine from around the world. One thing you really should try though is the quintessential afternoon tea, which is best served in the sophisticated surroundings of the city's finer hotels!

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  To bring back

  The first thing that springs to mind when it comes to souvenirs of Dublin is merchandise bearing the Guinness logo, followed closely by a good bottle of whiskey! Various gadgets of varying degrees of taste and bearing primarily shamrocks, Celtic crosses, harps and sheep can be found in the many souvenir shops and museum gift shops, where you will also find books on the Irish culture.

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Ireland, All you need to know!

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Dublin in pictures

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