Dublin-An Introduction
Dublin, the capital of Ireland, has a history older than one thousand years when the Vikings developed the port of the original town at the mouth of river Liffey as it flows into Dublin Bay. The name of the city in Gaelic is Baile Atha Cliath or Town of the Ford of the Hurdles. The economic boom of the last twenty years has evolved the traditional city of leaning into a business centre for Europe and has created a hybrid city of cosmopolitan style and conventional charm. The city has something for everyone by day and night: historic sites, cultural pursuits and pubs and clubs to beat the band. The city is easy to explore with a natural divide of the river separating the city into two north, south divisions. On the north side of the city centre, the city is dominated by O'Connell Street starting at Parnell Square where you can find the Dublin Writers Museum and the Hugh Lane Gallery. The street is ended with statues of Daniel O'Connell and Charles Stewart Parnell, Dublin's historical figures. The general post office, site of the 1916 uprising can be found half way along the street. The northsides offerings conclude heading out of the city with Jameson's Distillery at Smithfield, the old north side fruit market and further along the Phoenix Park, one of the world's largest city parks that includes a zoo and the residence of the president. The south side has the better Georgian buildings cosy around the squares of Fitzwilliam and Merrion. It also boasts Trinity College and the eighteenth century building that is the Bank of Ireland. The shopping area of Grafton Street is the city's upmarket spending haven topped by Stephen's Green while Temple Bar is the night refuge. The south finishes off with such wonders as Dublin Castle, Christchurch and Guinness Brewery. Who could ask for anything more?