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If you have never been to Dublin before, it will take you by surprise!
Located at the mouth of the River Liffey, on the east coast of Ireland, its city limits are marked by coastline, green fields and mountains. Dublin (“Dyflin”) was founded originally as trading post by the Vikings, in the ninth century.
In recent years, economic progress has brought about dramatic changes. The city is booming. It has become a focal point for new technology industries, modern commerce, the film industry and a veritable melting pot for different nationalities, all enjoying a slice of the action. Dublin, today is a truly vibrant and cosmopolitan city. The city is alive with young people. Culture, too, is everywhere and tradition seems to blend harmoniously with the influx of youth and vitality.
But it is the intangibles that really set Dublin apart. It has a welcoming atmosphere that is hard to define. Amidst the hubbub and buzz of this lively city, there’s a genuine feeling of friendliness and welcome. Dubliners, like no other city folk, have time for visitors. They will stop and chat and pass the time of day with total strangers.
Pubs and cafés
If your time in this lovely city is restricted, the best thing you can do (and some visitors argue that this is all you need to do) is relax and absorb the café and pub society.
Bewley’s Café:
The art of relaxation has always been taken seriously by Dubliners and what better way to unwind and watch the world go by, than with a freshly brewed cup of delicious Bewley’s coffee. Immersed in local history and folklore, Bewley’s Oriental Cafés are a famous Dublin institution. The ambience at the older premises (located in Grafton Street and Westmorland Street) is like stepping back into a different era with its old wooden faded opulence, stained glass, upholstered banquettes, vast coffee canisters, a supply of daily newspapers. All create the perfect atmosphere in which to sit back, read a book or indulge in a bit of people watching.
Pub life:
There are more than 850 pubs in Dublin, yet only one major brewery! It is true to say that Dublin’s café society is only rivalled by it lively pub scene. Most streets have at least one or two bustling pubs where locals seem to spend hours chatting, swapping tales and simply enjoying each other’s company. Many pubs have traditional and contemporary live music and singing with local bands performing to enthusiastic, participating audiences. Some of the older pubs have cosy, little alcoves or snugs where, if you’re in search of tranquillity, you can retreat from the hurly-burly.
Wander down any street and drop in to the first pub you come to; the chances are you will not be disappointed. The Temple Bar area is a hive of activity and the perfect starting point.
Guinness Storehouse:
On your tour of the pubs, you will encounter the locally brewed Guinness. It is surely a drink made in heaven! Well, not exactly – it is brewed down the road, next door to the Guinness Storehouse. Head for St. James’s Gate, Dublin 8 and find out some more about the history and production of this delicious “Black Stuff”. Armed with an informative booklet you follow a self guided tour from the story of the “Perfect Pint” on the ground Floor, up through the floors of the “Discovery” sections to the recently constructed Gravity Bar at the top of the building. “Gravity” is your journey’s end where a pint of complimentary Guinness awaits you. Relax in this amazing, glass-sided bar, take in the incredible views over Dublin city and savour the best pint of Guinness available in the whole wide world!
Trinity College:
If you wish to absorb some of the history and culture of Dublin, there is no better place to visit than Trinity College. Situated at College Green, in the centre of the city, it is an oasis of tranquillity, where the bicycle provides the dominant mode of transport. The College’s hallowed surroundings house some of the most stunning classical architecture in the city. The open square, which features Arnoldo Pomodoro’s sculpture, “Sphere within Sphere (1882/3), is surrounded on three sides by some of Dublin’s finest ancient and modern buildings. Wander in to Koralek’s New Library, to the south (constructed in 1978) and then on to Woodward’s beautifully carved Museum building, to the east (1853-1855) and finally, drop in to Burgh’s Old Library, to the west, (1712-1732). In 1857, Woodward altered Burgh’s original building and transformed its barrel-vaulted upper floor into one of Ireland’s most breath-taking interiors. The library is lined from floor to ceiling with the largest collection of manuscripts and printed books in Ireland. A collection of marble busts that began in 1743, is positioned down either side of the room. Louis François Roubiliac’s bust of the writer Jonathan Swift, is one of the finest in the collection.
Book of Kells:
Housed in Trinity College Library is one of Ireland’s greatest collections of medieval manuscripts – the most famous of which is undoubtedly, the “Book of Kells”, a Gospel book bound in four separate sections. The “Book of Kells”, probably produced by the monks of Iona in the early ninth century, contains lavishly ornamented copy in Latin. Displayed alongside the four Gospels, are the important books of Durrow (c700) and Armagh (c800). The latter provides us with most of the information we have about St. Patrick, Ireland’s patron saint.
Dublin has so much to offer the visitor, whether you take a whistle-stop tour or simply sit back and do nothing. It is the perfect place to unwind.
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