Dublin, the political and cultural centre of The Republic of Ireland, is the fourth most visited capital in Europe. Dublin was built by the Vikings in the early Middle Ages and it has served as a base for the military expansion of the British Empire, particularly under the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
In the early 1920s, the Irish capital went through the ordeal of the Anglo-Irish war and the Irish Civil War that left the city in ruin. The modern day Dublin began its reconstruction starting in 1922 when it became the capital of the Free Irish State, and later of the Republic of Ireland.
Trinity College Dublin
So, what are Dublin’s major tourist attractions? This very much depends on what you are after. If you want to learn about the history of Ireland and all the beauty that Joyce wrote so much about, there are plenty of history laden places in the Irish capital for you to cherish.
There is the beautiful and historical Merrion Square with old orange-brown Georgian homes where once lived Oscar Wilde, W. B Yeats and other notable Irishmen. Then, you may enjoy the Dublin Castle, that girded the first fortress by a black pool “Dubh linn” in Gaelic.
The famous Catholic St. Patrick Cathedral is another strong point of Dublin’s sightseeing tour. Dedicated to the patron Saint of Ireland, St. Patrick, the Cathedral was built in the 12th and it carries a deep and powerful spiritual value to Dubliners and to the Irish people in general.
Christ Church Cathedral
Among other great tourist spots we should mention: Phoenix Park, housing the famous Dublin Zoo, and Trinity College, which is the oldest and the most prestigious university in Ireland with an impressive library comprising of some rare book collections. It owns the 8th century old Book of Kells.
Besides the overwhelming historical dimension of this old European city, there are very mundane, traditional spots that charm tourists. For instance, a tour at the traditional Irish Guinness Brewery is a great attraction. Guinness Brew is to Ireland what Heineken is to Holland. So, enjoy this black, thick and incredibly delicious Irish beer.
Dublin Harbor
Now, we’ve seen what you can visit at day, now let’s see what Dublin’s nightlife has in store for you. Ireland is famous for its pubs that combine high quality beer with live entertainment. The Brazen Head is Dublin’s oldest pub that greets you with a great atmosphere, lots of good beer and fun.
Some other attractions of the Dublin’s nightlife are the bars in the Temple Bar Area where you may listen to live music. In the last few years, many of Dublin’s nightclubs have been replaced by super pubs. These are large pubs with multiple bars and dance floors that stay open as late as regular nightclubs.
Here are some very popular names if you’re out for fun at night: The Playhouse, in Dublin’s southern part, it has a strict dress code and very attractive prices. Then, there is Boomerangs located in the Temple Bar Area, the dress code is strict only at the weekends, and there is a fun atmosphere during the week too.
If you have the time to take some tours in the neighbouring country side of Dublin, you will be surprised to discover how past and present history coexist in a highly unique landscape. For instance very close to Dublin is Wicklow County, a true Garden of Ireland, where you can enjoy the beauty of the Irish countryside.