Visiting Dublin, Ireland
“In Dublin’s fair city where the girls are so pretty I first
laid my eyes on sweet Molly Malone. She wheeled her wheelbarrow
through streets broad and narrow, singing cockles and mussels,
alive a live O.” Dublin on the East Coast of Ireland has come a
long way since Molly Malone was immortalized in the famous song
and has now become a statue close to the Main shopping area of
Grafton Street. Erected to commemorate Dublin’s own millennium,
a statue of Molly Malone pensively stares at passers-by on the
southern end of Grafton Street. Ever ready for a comic put-down,
Dubliners immediately christened the well-endowed Molly “the
tart with the cart.” Dublin is now one of Europe’s premier
locations. Ireland in general has embraced the common European
community but is still quintessentially Irish. Whether you visit
Dublin for business or pleasure make some time to explore this
wonderful city. It is both modern and energetic with its old
traditions are all around. Dublin’s coastline, wild willful and
rugged, can be explored by bus or train journey from the City
Centre. The Irish people’s Celtic heritage thrives in their
creative spirit and love of music. The pubs around Dublin are
full of life and everywhere you go you will experience the
warmth, charm and gentle humor of the inhabitants of this tiny
land with a turbulent history. Dublin founded in the 9th Century
by the Vikings is split in two by the River Liffey and hosts
great rivalry between the inhabitants on both sides of the
river. The two main bridges are O’Connell Bridge and the
Ha’penny Bridge, so called because of the toll which used to be
charged to cross it. O’Connell Bridge takes you to O’Connell
Street home of the historic General Post Office, the first
building to fly the Irish flag during the Easter Rebellion of
1916. The National Gallery of Ireland is one of the finest in
Europe with one whole exhibit devoted to the works of J.B. Yeats
brother of the poet W.B. Yeats. Take a stroll round St. Stephens
Green before heading to Grafton Street one of Dublin’s most
stylish shopping streets. Grafton Street is home to street
artists and musicians and has a wonderful atmosphere. Take some
time to visit Trinity College, the oldest university in Western
Europe founded in 1592. The university houses the Long Room home
to the Book of Kells. The Book of Kells is one of Dublin’s most
popular and significant visitor attractions. Dating back to
around 800AD, it is considered to be one of the most beautiful
religious manuscripts in the world. Written on vellum, it
contains a Latin text of the four gospels in script accompanied
by whole pages of detailed illustration. The book has been on
display since the 19th century and has the dubious honor of
having been defaced by Queen Victoria. A decorated page and a
page of script can normally be seen when you visit. The library
contains busts of some of its most famous scholars many of them
writers and intellectuals. One of its most famous students was
Jonathon Swift who wrote “Gulliver’s Travels”. Swift later went
on to become Dean of St. Patrick’s Cathedral another must visit
on your list. St. Patrick’s Cathedral was built in the 12th
Century and beautifully restored with money provided by the
Guinness Family one of Ireland’s most famous families. The
Guinness brewery was founded in 1759 by Arthur Guinness and is
now the largest brewery in the World. No visit to Dublin would
be complete without tasting the “black stuff” first hand. To
many, Guinness is one of the most important features of Ireland.
With 300 million pints exported every year, it is no surprise to
learn that Ireland is the world’s leading beer exporter.
Completed at the cost of IR£30 million, the Guinness Storehouse
is a fine addition to Dublin’s ever-growing list of
purpose-built attractions. Set inside a converted 18th century
fermentation building, it comprises of six floors linked by a
giant atrium in the shape of a pint glass. Although the actual
brewery is not open to the public, the storehouse’s new
exhibition space outlines the 200-year history of the company
and reveals many brewing secrets. The models and displays of the
exhibition are followed by a short film and a glass of the
famous brew. If your schedule allows there are some interesting
day trips which you can take from Dublin. To the North West is
the Boyne Valley. There is historical evidence in this area
dating back to 6000 B.C. New Grange passage is said to be the
oldest man made structure in the world dating to 3000 B.C. The
Wicklow Mountains to the south of Dublin are sparsely populated
and enjoy a slow pace of life. The monastic settlement of
Glendalough in the middle of the valley dates to the 6th
Century. Founded by St. Kevin this is a powerful, peaceful,
beautiful place and well worth a visit. You can take a trip to
the Curragh of Kildare for a flutter on the horses. The Curragh
consists of 4000 acres and is home to over 60 race horse
trainers. It has produced some of the most expensive race horses
in the world with prices running into 7 figures. All in all you
will have a wonderful and energetic time in Dublin. Be prepared
to walk as it is very easy to get around on foot. And you will
need to walk off those Irish breakfasts, with bacon, sausage,
black and white pudding, eggs, soda bread and pots of delicious
Irish tea. Hmmm!!!….. “Go N’eirigh an bother leat” and have a
wonderful time in the Capital of the Emerald Isle.
