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For the record, Dublin is the site of Ireland's oldest university
(Trinity College), oldest park (St. Stephen's Green) and oldest theater
(the Gaiety); it is home to the
National Museum, the National Gallery and the national government; and
it houses Ireland's most famous treasure (the eighth-century The Book of
Kells), most famous churches (St. Patrick's Cathedral and Christ Church
Cathedral) and most famous beer (Guinness, of course). |
Dublin is Ireland's capital and by far its largest city, with a population
of about 500,000 (with close to 1 million in the
metropolitan area). The nation's largest port, it is on the central
east coast on the Irish Sea.
It is a compact city (44 square miles) that can be toured largely on
foot, but that doesn't mean it can be toured quickly.
There's just too much to see and do. Just to visit the former houses
of Dublin's literaryfigures (Joyce, Samuel Beckett, William Butler Yeats,
George Bernard Shaw and Bram Stoker, to name a few) would take a full day.
In addition to the landmarks and attractions above, must-see places
include Four Courts (seat of Ireland's judiciary), Custom House, Dublin
Castle, the Abbey Theatre and Phoenix Park (the largest walled park in
Europe).
Other highlights are the New Modern Art Museum, the Irish Viking Adventure
Center, the Museum of Childhood and the Chester Beatty Library and Gallery
of Oriental Art.
Of course, if you're looking for less cerebral pursuits, Dublin is filled
with places to shop, listen to music or down a beer. Be sure to make
it a Guinness.Evidently the first taste is the worst! Dublin is a city for walkers, talkers and a city where the people are
as worth watching as the architecture. Moore Street is a thriving street
market off Henry Street. The women here with their prams and battered baby
carriages filled high with a variety of fruit, toys or bric-a-brac, are
descendants of the infamous Molly Malone, a street trader of the 18th Century.
The street traders today, as then, are renowned for the good humour, loud
voices and sharp witted banter.
Music is never too far away in Dublin. The streets are full of talented
buskers and Grafton Street on a Saturday afternoon is virtually impassable
for the crowds surrounding the young musicians. One of the most attractive
features of Dublin nightlife is the music and singing in pubs.
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Teacherstravelweb
member, Bernie recommends Temple Bar and says,"Temple Bar, Dublin 2,
has been developed rather like the Left bank of Paris. Until a few
years ago, Temple Bar was known more for its derelict buildings and badly-lit
streets, but with the recent transformation (still in progress) it's now
become Dublin's Cultural Quarter.There are several new cultural centres,
all within a few minutes stroll of each other, many housed in new buildings
of unique architectural design. |
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New squares and re-built streets are full of cafes, restaurants and
pubs; and on Saturdays, there's the Book Fair and the Food Market. Several
music events take place in and around Temple Bar throughout the year, and
in the summer
there are extra events, including outdoor film screenings and children's
entertainments.
As the birthplace of Jonathan Swift, Oscar Wilde, W.B. Yeats,
James Joyce, George Bernard Shaw, Samuel Beckett and
many other renowned writers, Dublin often featured in their books.
However no city has been more criticised by her writers. Jonathan Swift
felt himself " dropped in wretched Dublin" and George Bernard Shaw complained
of " a certain flippant, futile derision and belittlement peculiar to Dublin".
It was called "the blind and ignorant town" by W.B. Yeats, and James Joyce
seems to have agreed. Yet, despite all the abuse, number of truly great
writers became part of Dublin's heritage.
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Christ Church Cathedral: standing on the Hill of Dublin it is the Church
of Ireland Cathedral for the combined dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough.
It is fronted by a green churchyard in which there are remains of the old
chapter house built in 1230. The exterior of the Cathedral was restored
in the lavish and flamboyant manner in 1875 at the expense of a wealthy
Dublin whiskey distiller. The crypt
underneath the Cathedral is its oldest part, dating from 1172.
July to October, organised bike tours leave three times daily from
the main gate of Christ Church Cathedral. A tour takes three hours and
costs IR£12; you can book at the Dublin Bike Tours office at the
back of Kinlay House next to the cathedral. |
We found four excellent choices in travel guides for you to help in
planning your trip The red underlines are direct links to more information
and secure online ordering.
Eyewitness
Travel Guides: Dublin
"A very good guide book if you confine your trip to Dublin only. Almost
all of the information is also contained in the
Ireland guide, so you might want to spend a few more dollars and get
the whole country. Lots of pictures with sections on what to do, where
to eat and what to see. A map of the city center in the back of the book
and each section of Dublin has suggested walking tours and a "must see"
listing. A very informative section of practical information towards the
end which gives you tips on taking the bus, how to get from the airport
into the city, how to change money, etc. All in all, a very good guidebook
for the city of Dublin. "said the reviewer.
Click on the titles for more details |
Eyewitness
Travel Guides: Dublin
Eyewitness
Travel Guide: Ireland |
Lonely
Planet in Ireland
"Absolutely Right-On I travelled for two weeks through Ireland
using this book. I was never steered wrong. I used it for lodging, routine
tourist destinations and not so routine destinations. It even identified
some really cool caves in the West of Ireland. Travelling light?
This is all you need." said the first reviewer.
The second added," Chock full of valuable information One of the best
guides you can buy for Ireland. Honest and reliable information can be
found in the pages, even in the most remote locations. The chapter on the
Aran Islands intrigued me enough to take a long detour. Be sure you check
local sources for up-to-date prices on various transports (ferries, trains,
etc.)."
We were not able to review the walking in Ireland edition. |
Lonely
Planet Ireland (3rd Ed)
Lonely
Planet Walking in Ireland |
