Dublin
Capital Of Ireland On The River Liffey, Founded As A Viking Settlement In The 9th Century; UNESCO City Of Literature (2010) · Dublin, Dublin
Dublin (Baile Atha Cliath) is Ireland's capital, a compact city of Georgian squares, old pubs and free national museums on both banks of the River Liffey. It began as a Viking settlement in the 9th century, was ruled from Dublin Castle for seven centuries, and is where the 1916 Easter Rising began at the GPO on O'Connell Street. People come for the literary city of Joyce, Wilde, Swift and Beckett (a UNESCO City of Literature since 2010), for the pubs and traditional music, and for sights that are mostly walkable in a day: Grafton Street and St Stephen's Green, the painted Georgian doors of Merrion Square, Christ Church and St Patrick's cathedrals, the free Chester Beatty Library, National Museum and National Gallery, Kilmainham Gaol and Phoenix Park. The DART coast train runs out to the Howth cliff walk and to Dalkey. The honest caveat: Dublin hotels are among the most expensive in Europe, a Temple Bar pint costs far more than one two streets away, and it rains often - budget for the first and pack for the last.
Central Dublin, from Trinity College and Grafton Street through Temple Bar and Dublin Castle to O'Connell Street and the Liffey quays, Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
A city open all year; streets, parks, squares and the quays are free at any hour, and St Stephen's Green and Merrion Square open from morning to dusk. Shops mostly open about 09:00-18:00, later on Thursdays, and from about noon on Sundays. The national museums are free and usually closed on Mondays (confirm each). From Dublin Airport, express coaches and Dublin Bus routes reach the centre in about 30-50 minutes; there is no airport train. Book hotels months ahead, and book Kilmainham Gaol, the Guinness Storehouse and the Book of Kells online by time slot.