Dublin Travel Guide

Dublin is the improving capital city of the Republic of Ireland and is the most popular entry point for international visitors to Ireland. Ireland has taken off economically in recent years, which has turned Dublin into a dynamic city entertaining with very a good atmosphere. The city extends horseshoe-shaped occupying the entry of Dublin Bay.  Its historic center arouses interest in the monuments and numerous pubs where they have written great works of Irish literature. The River Liffey, which runs through the city center, opens way from the green plains of county of Kildare and flows into to the Ireland Sea.

The Vikings established colonies in the mouth of the river in the ninth century and remained there until the warrior king of Ireland, Brian Boru, expelled them after the Battle of Clontarf (1014). The Normans made Dublin their operations center to conquer Ireland in 1170. But at the end of the Middle Age the area controlled by the British was only a small extension around Dublin. Dublin is primarily city of Georgian architecture.  The Mansion House has been the residence of the Lord Mayor since 1715 and the Declaration of Independence of Ireland in 1919 was drafted there.   

Dublin has many links to the literature.  Jonathan Swift (1667-1745) author of "Gulliver's Travels" was born in Hoe's Court and was dean of the cathedral for 32 years, since 1713.  The playwright George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) was born in Synge Street and the writer Oliver Goldsmith (circa 1728-1874) studied at Trinity College.  Near here is the Merrion Square, where was another writer born, Oscar Wilde (1854-1900), James Joyce (1882-1941), author of "Dubliners" and "Ulysses", also was born in the city.  The library of Trinity College account with the "Book of Kells" in its collection, illustrated book of the Gospels, written in the eighth century and the harp of the Irish King of the eleventh century, Brian Boru, which is used as an emblem of the most famous Irish product: the Guinness Stout, that is produced near Hueston, one of the major railway stations. Over the Heuston Station Bridge you arrive to Phoenix Park, 7.1 sq km, the largest urban park in Europe. The strategic position of Dublin, its port, its airport and its network of roads, make this city a focal point of trade and industry in Ireland. Here is the largest ferry port terminal for those entering or leaving the country and it is a starting point for most tourists. County Dublin has an area of 922 sq. km. Population (of the county) 1.002.000; (of the city) 525,400 inhabitants. 

Dublin is a city full of life, with shopping streets in the center packed of people at all hours and in an atmosphere of local pubs which is different from the rest of Europe. In addition, the nightlife is vibrant in Dublin.