Dublin Ireland

Dublin, Ireland’s Capital and most populous city, is one of Europe’s top cities and holiday destinations. While it has the cosmopolitan feel of a large city, it also has the Irish warmth found in a countryside village. There is enough to see and do in Dublin for several vacations. Indeed, a visitor’s guide to Dublin can be a hefty volume of its own.

Situated on the banks of the River Liffey, Dublin was founded by Norse Vikings in the 9th century. They called it Dubh Linn, or ‘the black pool.’ Although, as was their custom, they burned and pillaged surrounding villages, they did bring trade and commerce to Dublin. After their conversion to Christianity, they built Ireland’s first church, the site upon which Christ Church Cathedral presently stands.

In 1172, King Henry II took control of the city and gave it to his subjects. Native Irish attacked, leading King John to build Dublin Castle.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, Dublin grew as a trading center and there was a boom in growth. Later, the Great Famine decimated the countryside, bringing many of the destitute to the city. The Irish chafed at being considered part of the British Empire, leading to the 1916 Easter Rising and subsequent War of Independence.

Dublin is a very pedestrian-friendly place, and there are many walking tours you can find or put together yourself. Hop-on-and-off bus tours are also a very good option, giving you the benefits of a guided itinerary without the rigid time requirements. You just buy a pass that’s good for the entire day, and you can visit any one place for as long – or short – a time as makes you happy.

Dublin is famously the home of the Guiness Brewery, Trinity College, The Book of Kells, and a growing number of headquarters for multinational corporations. The National Museum houses an astounding collection of Irish Antiquities, with exhibitions of artifacts from Ireland’s Bronze Age, prehistoric Ireland, and the Vikings in Ireland. The Old Library, besides its 200,000 texts and marble busts of scholars, has the oldest surviving harp (Ireland’s National Symbol). The National Gallery was opened to the public in 1864 and its exhibits focus on Irish landscape art and portraits, although there is a healthy representation of every major school of European painting.

You can have your history and wee tot of the Irish when you visit the Brazen Head pub. It claims to be the oldest pub in Dublin, having opened in 1198.

If the cultural pursuits are not for you, take a visit to Southwest Dublin and find Temple Bar. This is the area of the city that became the center for skilled craftsmen and merchants as the city expanded north and east during the Georgian era. Temple Bar is now considered the trendiest part of town, with plenty of alternative stores and cafes. It is also where to find some of the city’s liveliest night life.

If you’re combining a visit to Dublin with a golf adventure, you’ll find a wealth of exciting and challenging courses quite close to the city. For example, just 10 miles to the northeast is Portmarnock Golf Club, located on a sandy peninsula offering spectacular views of the Irish Sea and a challenge to any golfer. The Royal Dublin Golf Club is only 3 miles from the city, on Bull Island in Dublin Bay, in the middle of a protected wildlife habitat. These are only two of the courses of more than 40 that were listed when I did a quick internet search for Dublin golf courses.

Accommodations in Dublin can be a little pricier than those found outside the city, as is true for any major city. And you’ll definitely want to be pre-booked. However, you can find everything from bed and breakfasts to weekly rentals (self-catering) to the fanciest of hotels. Rates don’t necessarily go down in the off-season, but you can sometimes find good weekend rates. If you’re not using an agent, a little time spent at your computer can help you find the kind of place and price you want for your stay.

Whether you’re going for a couple of days or a couple of months or somewhere in-between, Dublin offers something for everyone.