A taste of history
Dublin is the capital and largest city of Ireland. It was founded as a Viking settlement.Dublin is situated at the mouth of the River Liffey and is bordered by a low mountain range to the south and surrounded by flat farmland to the north and west.
Dublin has more green spaces than any other European capital city.
The Phoenix Park is about 3 km west of the city centre, north of the River. It is one of the largest walled city parks in Europe. It is home to the Dublin Zoo and many music concerts have also been performed there.
Dublin has many landmarks and monuments dating back hundreds of years.
One of the oldest is Dublin Castle. This is not how you would expect a castle to be. There’s no moat, no drawbridge… It hosts grand diplomatic or state functions, and concert recitals. You have to pay to admire the beautiful interior but you can walk around for free.
Other popular monuments include the Mansion House, the Anna Livia monument, the Molly Malone statue, Christ Church Cathedral, St Patrick’s Cathedral, Saint Francis Xavier Church.
Ireland’s biggest libraries and literary museums are found in Dublin, including the National Print Museum of Ireland and National Library of Ireland. In July 2010, Dublin was named as a UNESCO City of Literature.
You will find art galleries all across the city, such as the Irish Museum of Modern Art, the National Gallery.
Dublin has a vibrant nightlife and is reputedly one of Europe’s most youthful cities. There are many pubs across the city centre.
St Patrick’s Day on 17 March offers the perfect excuse to drink, if all you came to do in Dublin is to taste a Guinness. The parade exhibits some of Europe’s best street performers.
