DublinCosmopolitan, colorful and over a thousand years old,
Dublin presents a fine starting point for visitors to
Ireland. This capital city is split in two by the
River Liffey, which gives form to the city and has no less than nine bridges spanning it. Easily explored on foot, central Dublin presents a wealth of historic landmarks, from ancient cathedrals to gracious Georgian buildings that pay testimony to days gone by. There are several attractions on both sides of the Liffey, ranging from gaols and castles to the birthplaces of famous poets and writers and guided literary trails.
Not far from the
city in
County Wicklow are the
Wicklow Mountains, where hills and glens, forests and waterfalls attract weekend walkers and nature-lovers.
Dublin Bay, which lies between the mouth of the River Liffey and the
Dalkey headland, is the site of several small coastal towns and the ferry port of
Dun Laoghaire.
County Kildare is a region of rich farmland and fine reputation for the breeding of thoroughbred horses, while the similar counties of Louth and
Meath have evidence of early civilizations and a wealth of castles and monasteries.
Getting Around: Dublin has appalling street congestion in the city center, but the new light rail service known as LUAS (the Gaelic word for 'speed') now offers two lines with numerous stations, many of them giving easy access to the main sights and places of interest. The city also has an extensive bus network with a limited Nitelink service operating from 1.30am, but this is most useful for commuters to and from the city center. There is also a rapid transit train (DART) that links the city center with the suburbs and seaside communities. Various passes for bus or train or a combination are available. Because public transport stops before midnight, taxis can be hard to find in the city center after 11pm, particularly over the weekend. Taxis can be hailed in the street, but it is often easier to find them at taxi ranks or better still to book ahead by telephone. If it can be avoided don't rent a car while in the city, as it is impractical and expensive, although they can be essential if wanting to explore off the beaten track on excursions from Dublin.
Nightlife: One of the most vibrant and youthful cities in
Europe, Dublin has a bustling nightlife that has survived the ages. Known for their love of all things drinking, the Irish take their pubs and pints very seriously and it's little wonder traditional old pubs and bars dominate the nightlife scene.The
Temple Bar district is the by far the most popular place to start and the hub of Dublin's nightlife scene with around 24 bars and 73 cafes and restaurants to choose from. Most evenings finds Temple Bar buzzing with trendy restaurants, pubs, musicians, hotels and shops creating a stir. Many of the trendier clubs have a cover charge. The Grafton Street side of things provides a much quieter and relaxed alternative to the chaos of Temple Bar, attracting a different type of crowd. Wine bars are also becoming a popular addition to the entertainment scene, providing patrons with a wine list and reasonably priced meals. The gay scene in Dublin is taking off too and there are many gay clubs and bars springing up everywhere.On just about every night there is something happening and rock, jazz, blues and traditional Irish folk concerts can be found at theaters, sports stadiums, churches, clubs and castles. If you're in the mood for a show, head down to Dublin's Northside and see what's on.
Climate: Dublin has a maritime temperate climate, and less rainfall than the rest of the 'emerald isle', although winters are still very soggy and damp and showers are common all year round. The wettest month, December, averages 76mm of rainfall. Summers in Dublin are cool and pleasant, temperatures in July peaking at around 68°F (20°C), the most sunshine being experienced in May and June. Winters, apart from being wet, are mild with the mercury rarely dropping to freezing point. Snow is unlikely, the main precipitation being rain, but a few flurries can occur.
CorkSituated on an estuary that opens onto the
Atlantic Ocean, the Republic of Ireland's second largest city has been likened to Dublin without the traffic; it is crammed with cosy pubs and cultural attractions.
There is a great rivalry between Cork and Dublin, and the majority of Cork's residents see themselves as distinctly different from the rest of Ireland. Cork is vibrant and cheerful, with music, theater and film all playing a major role in city life, while world-renowned annual festivals add to the lively atmosphere, making it the European Capital of Culture 2005. Cork is also the gastronomic capital of Ireland, with the widest variety of top class restaurants in the country, while nearby Kinsale, also known for its host of award-winning pubs and restaurants, hosts the annual Gourmet Festival.
Located in the southwest,
County Cork is the largest county, noted for its maritime identity and impressive coastal scenery as well as being the site of Ireland's most famous attraction, the Blarney Stone. The city is a major seaport and is built around the waterways of the
River Lee, connected by numerous bridges;
Cork harbor is one of the largest natural harbors in the world. Sights include the 19th century
Cork City Jail, the protestant Finbarr's Cathedral, and the
Cork Museum, which is largely given over to the nationalist struggle in which Cork played an important role. Popular day trips from Cork include Kinsale and the beautiful coastal scenery of
County Kerry, including the
Dingle Peninsula.
GalwayCapital of the west,
Galway is one of the fastest growing cities in Europe, which began as a small fishing village on the River Corrib. With its narrow streets full of vibrant pubs and old stone shop fronts, Galway is an exceptionally enjoyable, free-spirited place to spend a few days, especially if they coincide with one of the cultural festivals held during various months of the year. There is the February Jazz Festival, the Easter Festival of Literature and the July Arts Festival, when the streets are alive with music and dancing and the town feasts on Guinness and oysters.
Situated on the periphery of the
Gaeltacht (Irish speaking area), Galway is an important tourist center and makes a good base from which to explore the magnificent scenery of surrounding areas like the beautiful
Connemara and
Aran Islands. To the East lies picturesque, rolling farmlands.
