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Dublin

Dublin: The Ireland Spirit

Dublin is Ireland's Capital and biggest city, located around the middle of the Irish East Cost, at the mouth of the Liffey (stream crossing the city) and in the centre of Dublin's region.

A city of culture and tradition

Dublin possesses a rich and ancient history, as it appears in Ptolemy's writings, dating from about 140 years before JC and in which it is called Eblana. There are many sites in the city that witness its Georgian architectural influence, like the Trinity College, founded in 1592, or Saint Patrick Cathedral. As well, the National Print Museum of Ireland, the Irish Museum of Modern Art, the National Gallery of Ireland, the Hugh Lane Municipal Gallery and the three sites of the National Museum of Ireland are all located in Dublin. Many theatres are also located in the city centre. There are also many squares and parks where you can find treasures of the Georgian architecture: St Stephen's Green, Merrion Square, Ely Place, Fitzwilliam Square, etc.

The quarter the most richly provided in restaurants is Temple Bar's, ancient, interesting and being totally renewed. To appreciate another aspect of the city, you can visit Sutton's peaceful village.

Dublin is also the city of many famous artists and writers. Dubliners is a short stories book written by James Joyce. It describes the city's inhabitants' life at the beginning of the 20^th century. Oscar Wilde, the great Irish author, is also from Dublin. On the folklore and traditional side, you can also find the St James's Gate brewery, where the famous Guinness is produced since 1759. And, not to miss for the anecdote, Dublin is also the city of numerous "stag nights" (single life ending parties).

European Silicon Valley

During the Irish economic miracle (in the 90's), many pharmaceutical and information technologies world companies set up in Dublin and its suburb. Microsoft European, Middle East and African operational centre is located in Sandyford activities area, in the South of Dublin, as well as Xerox and Google. In the West of Dublin, Leixlip welcomes Intel and Hewlett-Packard. Dublin's great number of computers industries has made of it the European Silicon Valley.

Dublin is also a moving, modernizing and importantly growing city. This is why it is often introduced as one of the most active European Cities, as the following extract, stirred from an article of "Le Monde" paper emphasizes.

"Restaurants, pubs, galleries, smart shops and good cellars selling fine wines coming from both hemispheres and old age punctuate the walk. In its urban renewal, global era's Dublin avoided bad taste. Brushing its bricks, the city remains horizontal and keeps a cheeky sense of humour still flowing "at the tap" (like the draught beer) in many pubs which, at night, in Temple Bar's, get lively and warm. A Fender Stratocaster guitar, a bass, drums and a red-haired girl's hoarse voice: the atmosphere, even or uneven, is set up, Dublin passes and wins.

Date to remember: March, 17^th, Saint Patrick Day. This day is celebrated by Irish people to honour Saint Patrick, a missionary who converted Ireland to Christianity. 4 uninterrupted days of festivities are waiting for you on Dublin side!"

Useful links:

• To easy your stay, we advise you to ask the required information (hotels booking, cars renting, festivals programmed, etc.) on RYANAIR website.
• http://www.visidublin.com (official City's Tourist Office website)
• http://www.discoverireland.com.fr (Irish Tourist Office)
• http://ambafrance.ie (Ireland's French Embassy's web site)
• http://dublinairport.com (Dublin airport's website)

Published on 21/01/2009