Synopses & Reviews
From struggling provincial backwater to the city that never sleeps, Dublin has been riding one hell of a roller coaster for the last decade. Through the traumatic changes of recent years, Irelands capital has regained a European presence that it last experienced towards the end of the 18th century. Every day, while Dubliners nonchalantly go about their own business, planeloads of visitors arrive in this city to party. Temple Bar ladles on the blarney as thick as the head on a glass of Guinness, while wood-panelled Edwardian pubs and trad musicians in Aran sweaters jostle for position with beech and steel café-bars, hip nightclubs, chic shops and high-tech arts centres. Yet, amid the sophisticated gloss, the fiddly- diddly music and the political wheeler-dealing is a city whose secrets are still waiting to be explored. Dublin is skirted to the south by the brown-green slopes of the Wicklow Mountains and the great curve of Dublin Bay, and through the heart of it all snakes the Liffey: dark, unfathomable and just a little bit muddier than wed like to admit.
Ten of the best
1 Guinness Storehouse Enjoy a panoramic view over the city and a perfect pint of Guinness in this stunningly converted brewery building.
2 National Museum of Archaeology and History Viking hoards and memories of the 1916 uprising make this the most impressive museum in Dublin.
3 A night at the Cobblestone Enjoy excellent Irish music and a convivial atmosphere at this Smithfield pub.
4 Christchurch Cathedral Dublins oldest building has medieval floor tiles, ancient tombstones and a host of treasures in the crypt.
5 National Gallery of Ireland This gallery provides a visitor-friendly introduction to Irish art as well as displaying an array of international masterpieces.
6 National Museum of Decorative Arts and History Engrossing exhibitions at the former Collins Barracks bring to life the cultural history of Ireland.
7 Temple Bar Make the most of this areas lively atmosphere, great shopping, groovy galleries, varied restaurants and buzzing nightlife.
8 Kilmainham Gaol This hugely atmospheric site is where some of Irelands brightest and best were confined during the 19th and 20th centuries.
9 1916 Rebellion Tour This hysterical historical tour of the city is an excellent way to get to grips with one of Dublins most important events.
10 Cliff walk at Bray Escape the city and enjoy a breath of fresh air on this glorious coastal walk. The views of Dublin Bay are truly memorable.
Synopsis
- Features the full music scene, and the best of the pubs, comedy clubs, and theatres- Includes day trips to the Wicklow Mountains and more- Up-to-date listings of accommodations from luxury hotels to friendly B&Bs
Synopsis
Dublin has leapfrogged into a high-tech, post-modern economy. The city buzzes with a youthful modernity, best soaked up in a comedy or dance club or enjoying live music in a pub. From its breweries to its historical castles, Dublin exposes its rich history to interested and curious visitors. Footprint Dublin's thorough and up-to-the minute research cuts out the blarney and delivers a thoroughly contemporary perspective. Organized by district so travelers can make the most of their time, this guide outlines excursions to Phoenix Park in the North and Joyce's Dublin in the South, as well as day trips outside the city to the Wicklow Mountains, Newgrange, Knowth, and more. Dublin is a walker-friendly town, so routes, maps, and transport options are fully covered. Comprehensive accommodation listings, entertainment options, and details of the city's packed festival and event calendar round out the guide. Like the other guides in this new series from Footprint, this pocket-sized handbook offers intelligent, concise, contemporary, and comprehensive travel facts in a fresh, stylish, and accessible format.
Synopsis
A new format guide to Dublin, the hip capital of the new Ireland. This pocket guides thorough and up-to-the minute research cuts out the blarney and delivers a thoroughly contemporary perspective. A city for all tastes, from Phoenix Park in the North to Joyces Dublin in the South, this Dublin guide provides the essential low-down.