Dublin – A Cultural Feast

A city that engulfs you with its waves of culture, Dublin is touted to be one of Europe’s most prized cultural treasures. The story of the city itself along with magnificent buildings, coupled with a feisty atmosphere and exuberant character will keep you wanting for more.

Divided into two by the Liffey River, Dublin, which is also the capital of Ireland, of late has been gaining reputation as a party town even though it has a historical significance on its visitors.

Means of Transport:- Travel by flight and land at Dublin International Airport. Temple Bar is the city center and is 10 km from the airport. Taxis are normally used to reach the city center though you can catch the Dublin bus which runs several routes into the city and the surrounding regions.

You can also use the Dublin Area Rapid Transport (DART) system which provides bus and train service across the city.

Climate:- Winters are not the preferred time for visitors as most of the shops remain shut. Either side of the summer season would be an apt time to visit the city.

Need to Know Facts:- The city’s location makes its timing in par with Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). The local language is English and the local currency is Euros.

Accommodation is fairly reasonable at the city center and the nearby areas, although it may tend to be a bit chaotic during the St. Patrick’s Day Festivities. Hence, it is recommended to plan and book your hotels in advance.

Places to Visit:-

Temple Bar:- The city center, it is also called as Dublin’s Cultural Quarter. The cobble stoned streets that are located between the Bank of Ireland and Christ Church Cathedral, are lined with restaurants, night clubs, souvenir shops, music, photography and multimedia centers.

Children can have a blast at the Children’s Cultural Center which offers theatre, workshops and other means of entertainment to keep them occupied.

Trinity College:- The premier university in Ireland, the college houses the Book of Kells, which is the biggest attraction of Dublin. Come summer and the college hosts a multimedia exhibition called the Dublin Experience.

Situated away from the hustle and bustle of the city, it is easy to tour the campus with the help of students.

Dublin Castle:- One of the oldest standing architectures of the country, the castle is situated right at the center of the city and has protected Dublin from perpetrators from the 12th century. Providing a definition to Dublin itself, the castle is most visited for its underground chambers.

Guinness Storehouse:- The 250 year old story of the Guinness Pint can be heard from the heart of the Guinness Factory that has been responsible for creating the perfect pint. A carnival in itself, the store house provides dancing and singing extravaganzas with the best part being the Gravity Bar where you can relax and have a taste of the famous pint.

An area dedicated for visitors called the Visitor Experience gives an insight into the secret of making the perfect pint.

St. Stephen’s Green:- A 22 acre park that was opened in 1880 and filled to the core with trees, flowerbeds, fountains and a lake, this garden is a must visit of you have a green thumb! The park sports a bandstand which is used for modern daytime concerts in summer and the entire landscape is dotted with sculptures and memorabilia of honorable Dubliners.

Grafton Street:- Grafton Street/St. Stephen’s Green and Henry Street provide the two major shopping destinations in Dublin. Situated on opposite sides of the river Liffey and laced with intertwining streets, each street houses something different for the avid shopper and are just a few minutes’ walk away from each other.