Tourism In Ireland’s Capital
Dublin is the capital city of Ireland, located on the east coast of the country. The city is situated on the River Liffey which could be one of the main reasons why it was founded as a viking settlement. Dublin has been the capital since medieval times. Ireland has the fastest growing economy in Europe and this fact is reflected in the booming capital city.
Dublin is very easily accessible by both air and sea. In recent years many more access routes have been added making Ireland even more accessible from Central Europe. Bus services from Dublin Airport, which is located on the outskirts of the city, run every few minutes or you can also take the Air Coach which is a little more expensive but a lot more comfortable. A new plan has been made by the Irish Government to extend the LUAS line (which is a state of the art Light Rail Transport System) as far as Dublin Airport and this will hopefully be built be 2012. When you arrive in the city center you will find an abundance of taxis which can be hailed down on the street, hired from a taxi rank or ordered over the telephone. If you wish to travel to or stay in the suburbs, most towns can be reached on the DART suburban rail services. This service can bring you to 25 different stations located throughout the capital.
Dublin offers a wide range of accommodation from five star hotels, guest houses, farmhouses, B&Bs, hostels, caravans and camping facilities. Failte Ireland (the main tourist board of Ireland) grade these forms of accommodation under a star classification system. Through this kind of system it makes it easier for tourists to assess which kind of accommodation would suit them best. Some of the best hotels to stay in include The Clarion Hotel, The Westbury and The Gresham Hotel which are all located in the city center. Guest houses include Grafton Guest house and Harrington Hotel. They are also located in the city center.
Dublin is full of culture with a mixture of both old and modern architecture. The Irish culture can be seen in the beautiful Georgian buildings which are located all throughout the city. Some of the hundreds of traditional buildings include Trinity College, Christ Church Cathedral, Gaiety Theater, The G.P.O (General Post Office) and The Bank of Ireland on College Green.
Dublin also boasts many museums which include The National Museum of Ireland which brings you back in time and shows you some of the most beautiful artifacts from Ireland’s history. Kilmainham Gaol gives you a graphic picture of how the Irish men and women fought and became imprisoned and even murdered during the War of Independence and the Civil War. Ireland is also very proud of the many literary talents that have been born in the country and The Dublin’s Writers Museum is a tribute to them. Some of the famous writers include Oscar Wilde and Samuel Beckett.
If you really want to experience proper Irish culture it would be a good idea to visit Gaelchultur, a centre for the Irish Language culture. The main aim of this centre is to promote the Irish Language (‘Gaeilge’) but they also organize beginners classes and many cultural events such as traditional Irish music concerts and dramas.
Another must see is The Guinness Brewery located in St. James’ Gate which is Ireland’s No.1 visitor attraction. Here you can learn about the history of the stout, how it is brewed and from the seventh floor of the building you can sample the brew yourself while enjoying the beautiful sweeping views of Dublin City.
Whether it is an ultimate cultural experience or simply a relaxing break that you are looking for, Dublin has something to offer for everyone. Visit the many historical landmarks or enjoy a stroll in the Phoenix Park ( the largest park in Europe), Dublin is truly an experience that you will never forget.
