When in Dublin
The capital of Ireland and just a short hop away from the UK, Dublin has long been a firm favourite with British holidaymakers.
Ireland is renowned for its welcoming atmosphere and laid-back approach to life and nowhere is this attitude more in evidence than in Dublin itself, which is possibly one of the friendliest cities in the world. Despite its size, the city retains a warmth and feeling of community that is often lost in large urban areas.
The lifeblood of Dublin must be the Liffey River, with its meandering and fast-flowing waters carving their way through the city. Myth has it that it is these waters which give the city's Guinness its distinctive taste, although the company itself insists that the famous black stuff is not made with water from the river.
Dublin has a long and rich history, which can be seen from some of the regal buildings which have grown up around the banks of the Liffey. The river itself is littered with beautiful and well-preserved bridges, which are themselves a feature of this picturesque city. Perhaps the most famous of these is O'Connell Bridge, named after Daniel O'Connell in 1882 when his statue was unveiled on the central island.
O'Connell Street itself has a number of statues and memorials contained along it, but none more grand or impressive as the one of Daniel O'Connell himself, which stands at the top of the street.
Dublin's historic Customs and Excise House stands proudly on the banks of the Liffey and is one of the most impressive buildings in the city, first opened in 1791 and now restored following damage to it caused by fire during the Irish Civil War of 1921.
Leinster House is the seat of power in Dublin and also a hugely impressive building, first built as a town house in 1745 but now home to the Taoiseach.
These buildings give a glimpse of the culture and heritage of this fine city and are just some of the architectural marvels which can be found throughout Dublin, particularly near the centre, as the city has managed to evolve into a modern capital without losing any of its heritage and history.
Dublin Castle is another of the old remnants of this city's long history and it remains in place to some extent today. Originally built by King John in 1214, the current structure remains on the same site. The ornate St Patrick's Hall is one of the few buildings connected to the castle which still remains and used to hold the Irish Crown Jewels until they went missing in mysterious circumstances in 1907.
Trinity College Dublin is another of the city's famous and ancient institutions, not merely because it contains one of the oldest books in the world. Inside this pretty, Oxford-esque college lies the Book of Kells, which provides a glimpse into the history and life of Ireland as the country existed in the sixth century AD. A must for all history fans, it has been claimed that St Columba even had a hand in the production of the work.
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Introduction
