History

Dublin not only the largest city in Ireland but it is also the capital of Ireland. The city is known as Baile Àtha Cliath in Irish and when translated means town of the hurdled ford. The fording point of the Liffey can be found at Church Street near Hueston Station, the city's primary train station.

It wasn't until the invasion of the Vikings around 840AD that Dublin had an urban settlement. Shortly after the arrival of the Vikings the Normans arrived drivings the Vikings and the Native Irish west. After couple of years the Normans were followed by English settlers and from that point onwards, for the best part of 750 years, Dublin, and ultimately the whole of Ireland would be ruled by the throne or parliament of England. With Ireland gaining free state status following the 1916 Easter Rising.

Present

This is truly a unique time to visit and to explore a city in change, a city that has at last discovered its own individuality.

Previously derelict areas are being dramatically rehabilitated and the environment has been impressively cleaned up and, thanks to the largest waste-water treatment project being undertaken in Europe at this time, Dublin Bay, after decades of pollution, has once again been restored to Blue Flag status.

The first on-road light rail system, the LUAS, was launched 2005 and serves Dublin's Southside and some of the city centre. The LUAS carries approximately 80,000 passengers a day. There are currently two LUAS lines, although plans are underway to extend the LUAS service by the end of 2010. For more information on the LUAS service click here.

Famous Dubliners

Not only has the  city a world-famous history, it has produced many prominent literary figures, including  William Butler Yeats, George Bernard Shaw and Samuel Beckett. Other influential writers and playwrights from Dublin include Oscar Wilde, Jonathan Swift and the creator of Dracula, Bram Stoker. However, it is arguably more famous as the location of the greatest works of James Joyce. His most celebrated work, Ulysses, is set in Dublin and full of topical detail. 

As well as producing famous writers the city is also responsible for  various world famous such as  Noel Purcell, Sir Michael Gambon, Brendan Gleeson,  Colin Farrell, Colm Meaney and Gabriel Byrne. The city also houses the countries best known theatres from  the Gaiety to the Olympia and the Gate to the Abbey. The Gaiety specialises in musical and operatic productions, and is popular for opening its doors after the evening theatre production to host a variety of live music, dancing, and films. The Abbey was founded in 1904 by a group that included Yeats with the aim of promoting indigenous literary talent. It went on to provide a breakthrough for some of the city's most famous writers, such as  Yeats himself and George Bernard Shaw. 

Entertainment

There is a vibrant nightlife in Dublin and it is reputedly one of the most youthful cities in Europe - with estimates of 50% of citizens being younger than 25. Like the rest of Ireland, there are pubs right across the city centre. The area around St. Stephen's Green, especially Harcourt Street, Camden Street, and Leeson Street, is a centre for some of the most popular nightclubs and pubs in Dublin.

Live music is popularly played on streets and at venues throughout Dublin in general and the city has produced several musicians and groups of international success, including U2, The Dubliners,  The Boomtown Rats, Boyzone,  Thin Lizzy, Paddy Casey, Sinéad O'Connor, and  The Script. The best known cinema in the city is the Savoy Cinema north of the Liffey. Alternative and special-interest cinema can be found in the Irish Film Institute in Temple Bar.

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