Dublin is unique among the capital cities of
Europe. It is on the sea with a bay of harbors and swimming areas; it lies
nestled among hills and mountains; and it contains Phoenix Park, the largest
park on the European continent. Dublin’s streets have been described as bustling
and lively. They have also been called congested. As all of these descriptions
are accurate, the excitement of the city can best be enjoyed by moving from
point to point via the comfort and convenience of local bus and rail service.
Within half an hour of Dublin’s city center there
are mountain walks, historic homes and gardens, sandy beaches and fishing
villages. Within Dublin are countless places of interest to explore. It is a
city steeped in history and tradition, but it is also youthful. Of the one and a
half million people in greater Dublin, about half are under 25. It is a city
that welcomes visitors of all ages. Activities for the family include enjoyment
of the nature preserve, the grazing deer, the 700 animal zoo, and the well
tended, formal gardens of Phoenix Park. There is a hands-on center where
children can design and produce pottery pieces. Other family possibilities are
horseback riding, sailing and the thrill of the interactive Dublin Viking
adventure that recreates the sights, sounds and smells of Dublin as it was 1000
years ago.
Dublin began as a Viking trading post called Dubh
Linn (Dark Pool), which soon merged with a Celtic settlement called Baile Átha
Cliath (Town of the Hurdle Ford) – still the Gaelic name for the city. Because
most of the early city was built of wood, only the two cathedrals, part of the
castle and several churches have survived from before the seventeenth century.
Much of the “newer” construction is from the Georgian period of the eighteenth
century. Recent modernization has worked in harmony with the beauty and grandeur
of the past.
Fine museums and art galleries recall Dublin’s
long and colorful history, while the pubs and cafes buzz with traditional Irish
entertainment. Trinity College, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin Castle,
Christchurch Cathedral are all at the top of almost every visitor’s list.
Dublin’s many other attractions range from sea world, museums and art galleries
to the prestigious Guiness Brewery and the Temple Bar, which is the center of
restaurants and nightlife.
Dublin is Europe's leading center for computer
software, with more than 100 international companies and a growing home market.
It is also a thriving center for culture and is home to the great literary
tradition of Shaw, Yeats, Joyce and Beckett. It is the source of musical talent
in groups ranging from the Dubliners and the Chieftains to U2. Street-side cafes
and pubs are alive with animated conversations, and visitors can easily find
themselves included in the discussions of sports, music, politics, and
literature.
Dublin’s economy is the fastest growing in Europe
with 40,000 businesses employing over 525,000 people. Recent years have brought
an upsurge in the growth of the city’s population and an air of excitement as
renovations and improvements to the city’s housing and service sector have taken
place. Dublin provides the visitor with countless opportunities for learning,
for remembering and for relaxation which appeal to every taste and age group.
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