Regarded as one of the most vibrant cities in Europe, Dublin offers a host of attraction for the visitor to view.

Dublin is a historical city dating back to the 9 th century where records reveal the city was founded by the supreme invaders of that era, the Norse. During the 17 th and 18 th centuries, the British ruled Dublin, until the 1920s when it came under the control of the Republic of Ireland as capital of the partitioned island after a bloody civil war. The Republic consisted of 26-counties and 6-counties in the North, which remains under British rule until this day.

Much of the architecture in Dublin is of the Georgian period and style. Graceful buildings abound in the area of Fitzwilliam Square/ Merrion Square/ Stephens Green, in the centre of the city. There are many fine examples of the great British architects of that period dotted around the centre of Dublin, the most notable being the Custom House, designed by William Gandon, a famous architect from the 17 th century whose works were constructed over the entire British Empire. Modern-day architecture is unfortunately limited to such bland edifices as the Spire, a 100 metre-high plain steel spike in the main city thoroughfare of O’Connell Street.

Modern-day Dublin is a thriving, bustling city that attracts millions of tourists from all parts of the world each year. It is a shopping Mecca, although not a cheap one. All of the finest designer fashion houses of Europe are to be found in Dublin.

Grafton Street is the most noteworthy shopping street in the city and this pedestrian’s area of Dublin hums with activity. As it is close to the entertainment area of Temple Bar, one can do some shopping and chill out with a few drinks, a meal and nightclub without ever moving too far!

Dublin is rapidly growing city, with a population of 1.6 million in the Greater Dublin Area, which would take in parts of neighbouring counties Meath and Kildare.

Public transport services lag way behind other European capitals and streets congested with traffic are a perennial sight. The LUAS is a tram service introduced five years ago and the main rail service is the city is the DART. Dublin Bus run the bus services and it is headquartered at Busaras in the centre.

With such a long history, Dublin is a museum and art gallery paradise that the casual visitor would not expect in a capital city of a country of only four million people.

Wonderful examples include Kilmanhaim Gaol, Dublin Castle, The Chester Beatty Library and the National Gallery of Ireland. Not to be missed is the world famous Book of Kells in Trinity College, a fantastic detailed manuscript produced by Celtic monks in the 7 th century.

The Irish are famous for their literary contribution to the world. Many of the best known writers were born or based in Dublin and in the 19 th and 20 th centuries produced a wonderful array of literary talent from Samuel Beckett, Jonathan Swift, W.B.Yeats, J.M. Synge, James Joyce, George Bernard Shaw and Oscar Wilde to name but a few.

Modern day writers of note include Maeve Binchy and Roddy Doyle. The writers Museum, near the famous Rotunda Maternity Hospital in the centre of the city, is must- see venue for lovers of literature.

Dublin is home to several world famous theatres including the Abbey Theatre, which is regarded as the National Theatre of Ireland. Other theatres include the Gaiety and Gate theatres, all within a small area in Dublin centre.

Many world famous actors and playwrights emanated from Dublin. Playwrights such as Sean O’Casey and Hugh Leonard achieved international success on Broadway, and for a small city, Dublin has made a very positive mark in the world of acting.

Brendan Gleeson, Colm Meaney, Colin Farrell and Gabriel Byrne who are well established on the Hollywood A-list, all started on the boards of the Dublin theatre scene before achieving world fame.

Dublin provides a fine range of culinary delights with several Michelin restaurants to its credit. Eating out in Dublin is not cheap and even in the most ordinary restaurant, be prepared for a shock when you get the bill. All the main chains of well-known hotels are represented in the city, with the recently renovated Shelbourne Hotel on Stephens Green being the most famous.

Dublin has many leisure amenities to attract the more active individuals. Golf courses abound with world famous tracks like Portmarnock and Royal County Dublin located to the north of the city whilst in the south you have Elm Park and Woodbrook. All welcome visitors and green fees are reasonable.

Do not miss a visit to Croke Park, in the north of the city, which is home to the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). Try to catch a game of football or hurling in this magnificent arena, which holds 82,000 people seated.

Sailing is very popular in the capital with Dun Loaire to the south of the city and Howth in the north east of the city. Cruise trips are also available up and down the River Liffey, the main river in the city. Smaller rivers include the Dodder and the Tolka. The Royal and Grand Canal transverse the north and south of the city and the latter is very popular for barge trips out into the Kildare countryside.

Dun Laoire and Dublin Port are the two main ferry terminals with several sailings a day to the UK. The only airport in the city is Dublin International Airport, which in recent years achieved notoriety for travel chaos due to the inability of the airport to cater for increasing numbers of travellers. A new terminal is due to open in 2010 which will help but if can avoid entering Ireland through Dublin Airport, then do so is our advice.

Dublin is rapidly gaining a reputation as an international finance hub with the presence of the IFSC in the centre of the city. Most of the world top banks and finance houses have a presence here and what was once an old run down tenement area of the city is now a gleaming façade of glass where business and city centre living go hand-in-hand.

You will not be disappointed with Dublin for all sorts of reasons. See our Map of Dublin for a virtual tour