Dublin Region: The City, The Capital, The County
Dublin, the capital of Ireland, with history over a thousand years old, is located in the Province of Leinster, at the mouth of the River Liffey, on Dublin Bay, an inlet of the Irish Sea. Dublin in Irish is Dubh-linn meaning Black Pool. Its current official Irish name is Baile Atha Cliath, meaning Town of the Ford of the Hurdles.
St. Patrick converted the people of Dublin to Christianity in the fifth Century. In the ninth Century the Vikings invaded and conquered, then eventually developed the town into a major port and trading centre. In the 12th Century, the Anglo-Normans invaded Ireland. The country was under English rule until 1921, when Ireland was partitioned. The southern portion of the island became a Free State encompassing 26 counties. The northeast of Ireland, with six counties, came under British rule.
In the 21st Century Dublin is a leading cultural and business centre within the European Economic Union. There are 1.5 million people residing in the county. Dublin offers a tremendous amount of diversity to the visitor, with historic sites, cultural events, educational pursuits, and variety of accommodations and good fun.
Dublin is a walking city to explore on your own, sample the tea and scones or a pint, or if you don't want to walk, you can take one of the many, excellent guided city tours. The city is divided North and South by the River Liffey with the main thoroughfare being O'Connell Street, dominated by the General Post Office, the site of the 1916 Easter Rising. At either end of O'Connell Street are statues of Daniel O'Connell and Charles Stewart Parnell, with Parnell Square a short walk away. Close by is the Dublin Writers Museum, a restored 18th Century house, with the story of Dublin's literary history featuring Swift, Wilde, Shaw, Yeats, Joyce, O'Casey, and Beckett. There is a myriad of other museums to tour as well, The Irish Museum of Modern Art, Bank of Ireland Art Centre and Museum, and The National Museum.
The National Museum of Ireland, now located in the old Collins Barracks, houses Ireland's treasures of history, relics from early Christian and Medieval periods, the Tara Broach, the Cross of Cong and several other pieces.
The Irish Museum of Modern Art is located at The Royal Hospital Kilmainham, just beyond Phoenix Park, a parkland and home to the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese; the Museum changes its exhibitions often. Phoenix Park and Zoo was established in 1830 and is one of Europe's oldest.
To sip something a little stronger than tea take a tour of the Guinness Brewery, founded in 1757 by Arthur Guinness. There is an exhibition on the brewery's history. Another good tour is Jameson's Distillery at Smithfield.
Trinity College, located in the heart of the city, with the main arch leading into the Parliament Square, is home to the Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript of the Four Gospels written about 800AD by Irish Monks. There are a variety of 18th and 19th Century buildings throughout the campus.
Temple Bar Area is Dublin's cultural quarter, with a mix of music, shopping, eating, children's activities. and exploring films, theatre, visual arts, and design. Located in this area is the Dublin's Viking Adventure, a journey with Vikings as they take you on a tour of life in Dublin 1,000 years ago. Around Meeting House Square is a purpose-built outdoor performance area. The Gaiety School of Acting, the Irish Film Centre, the Gallery of Photography, and the Temple Bar Music Centre are also around the Square. There are several eclectic restaurants and bars, and traditional pubs for every taste and budget. There are markets and open-air events to enjoy, and of course, the city centre is within walking distance.
Throughout the city of Dublin there is much to see and do, places to stay, eat and drink. Give yourself at least two days exploring the city. There is Dublin Castle, Saint Patrick's Cathedral, and Christ Church Cathedral. Both churches are Anglican. You can take in a play at the Abbey or Peacock Theatre, a show at The Point, a cabaret at Doyle's or Jury's Hotel. Dublin's Georgian buildings can best be seen from St. Stephen's Green, a lush green park in center of the city. Dublin shops offer a range from elegant and sophisticated to plain and simple. On the north side of the Liffey are the chain stores. The south side offers more specialty and unique shops.
