Attractions

The city centre abounds in attractions of all kinds and visitors must set aside a few days to tour it. The River Liffey splits the city into two distinct areas: the South Shore and the North Shore.

The South Shore

Founded in 1592, Trinity College is the oldest university in Ireland and houses the Old Library, which contains a wealth of exquisite books and manuscripts. Around Trinity College is the impressive neoclassical-style Bank of Ireland, the Leinster House (parliament), the National Museum, Natural History Museum, National Gallery of Ireland, National Library, Mansion House (the mayor's residence) and the Civic Museum.

West of the university stands Dublin Castle, erected in the early 13th century but rebuilt from the 18th century. Near the castle are the city hall, Christ Church Cathedral (12th century) and Dublinia, a heritage centre that brings the history of medieval-era Dublin to life. Close by, St. Patrick's Cathedral, built in the 12th century, dominates the surrounding area. Jonathan Swift, the famous author of Gulliver's Travels, is buried here.

Near Victoria Quay, you can visit the Irish Museum of Modern Art as well as the highly renowned Guinness Brewery, founded by Arthur Guinness in 1759. The Guinness Hop Store Visitor Centre features a shop and a bar where visitors can sample the famed rich and creamy stout.

The North Shore

A stroll along O'Connell Street, a large and very lively commercial thoroughfare, is definitely a must. Along the Liffey Quays are the Customs House, the Four Courts, St. Michan's Church and the Collins Barracks.

The North Shore also comprises the Municipal Art Gallery; the interesting James Joyce Centre, a museum devoted to the life and works of the author of Ulysses; and the fascinating Dublin Writers Museum. The latter allows visitors to learn more about Dublin's greatest literary sons (including Samuel Beckett, James Joyce, George Bernard Shaw, Oscar Wilde, William Butler Yeats, Jonathan Swift, Thomas Moore, Joseph Sheridan and Patrick Kavanagh), four of whom earned the Nobel Prize for Literature.

Going Out

Dublin offers a plethora of attractions and diverse shows for all tastes and budgets. The capital also has a thriving music scene, with a great many pubs that showcase more-or-less well-known musicians. A fair number of pubs also give centre stage to traditional Irish music. Those who prefer classical music can catch a performance by the National Symphony Orchestra at the National Concert Hall.

Theatre also has pride of place in the city, with a dozen venues, including the Abbey Theatre, founded by W.B. Yeats, and the Samuel Beckett Theatre. Several festivals, such as the Dublin Theatre Festival, Dublin Film Festival and Temple Bar Blues Festival, also take place during the

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