Driving to Dublin

Country: Ireland Capital: Dublin Language: English Currency: Euro

Ireland’s economy is booming, and as such Dublin is undergoing something of a renaissance. With businesses flourishing and more and more tourists arriving each year, Dublin is beginning to garner a reputation as a party capital, due to the lively character of its inhabitants and the wide variety of entertainment on offer.

The city is broadly divided into north and south by the River Liffey. Most landmarks are located in the southern part, which is referred to as the ‘Georgian heart of Dublin’. On Westmoreland Street you will find the Bank of Ireland, which formerly housed the Parliament, and features some magnificent marble columns. Further along is Trinity College, the oldest college in Ireland where you will find the Book of Kells, an ancient manuscript dating back to AD800.

The National Gallery has a collection of over 2500 artworks and is free to visit. Still south of the river is the Dublin Castle, for which guided tours are available. For refreshments head to Temple Bar, a series of pedestrianised streets littered with bars, pubs and restaurants.

The north side of Dublin is considered grittier than its southern counterpart, and is the best place for shopping, particularly around Mary and Henry Streets. On a more somber note, if you wander past the General Post Office you’ll see the bullet marks of the Easter Monday uprising in 1916.

No visit to Dublin would be complete without heading to the Guinness brewery on Crane Street; furthermore Dublin’s pubs are known to have a reputation like no other city’s. Dublin also boasts Europe’s largest public park, the Phoenix Park.

All of these places are within a few hours drive from Dublin