Visiting Dublin, Ireland

"In Dublin's fair city where the girls are so prettyAdecorated page and a page of script can
Ifirst laid my eyes on sweet Molly Malone. Shenormally be seenwhen you visit.
wheeled herwheelbarrow through streets broadThe library contains busts of some of its most
and narrow, singingcockles and mussels, alive afamousscholars many of them writers and
live O."intellectuals. One of itsmost famous students was
Dublin on the East Coast of Ireland has come aJonathon Swift who wrote
long waysince Molly Malone was immortalized in"Gulliver's Travels". Swift later went on to become
the famous song andhas now become a statueDean of
close to the Main shopping area ofSt. Patrick's Cathedral another must visit on your
Grafton Street. Erected to commemorate Dublin'slist.
ownmillennium, a statue of Molly Malone pensivelySt. Patrick's Cathedral was built in the 12th
stares atpassers-by on the southern end ofCentury andbeautifully restored with money
Grafton Street. Everready for a comic put-down,provided by the Guinness
Dubliners immediatelychristened the well-endowedFamily one of Ireland's most famous families.
Molly "the tart with the cart."The Guinness brewery was founded in 1759 by
Dublin is now one of Europe's premier locations.Arthur Guinnessand is now the largest brewery in
Ireland ingeneral has embraced the commonthe World. No visit to
European community but isstill quintessentially Irish.Dublin would be complete without tasting the
Whether you visit Dublin forbusiness or pleasure"black stuff"first hand. To many, Guinness is one
make some time to explore thiswonderful city. Itof the most importantfeatures of Ireland. With
is both modern and energetic with itsold traditions300 million pints exported everyyear, it is no
are all around.surprise to learn that Ireland is theworld's leading
Dublin's coastline, wild willful and rugged, canbeer exporter. Completed at the cost of
beexplored by bus or train journey from the CityIR£30 million, the Guinness Storehouse is a
Centre. Thefine additionto Dublin's ever-growing list of
Irish people's Celtic heritage thrives in theirpurpose-built attractions.
creativespirit and love of music. The pubs aroundSet inside a converted 18th century fermentation
Dublin are fullof life and everywhere you go youbuilding,it comprises of six floors linked by a giant
will experience thewarmth, charm and gentleatrium in theshape of a pint glass. Although the
humor of the inhabitants of thistiny land with aactual brewery is notopen to the public, the
turbulent history.storehouse's new exhibition spaceoutlines the
Dublin founded in the 9th Century by the Vikings200-year history of the company and
is splitin two by the River Liffey and hosts greatrevealsmany brewing secrets. The models and
rivalry betweenthe inhabitants on both sides ofdisplays of theexhibition are followed by a short
the river. The two mainbridges are O'Connellfilm and a glass of thefamous brew.
Bridge and the Ha'penny Bridge, socalled becauseIf your schedule allows there are some interesting
of the toll which used to be charged tocross it.daytrips which you can take from Dublin. To the
O'Connell Bridge takes you to O'ConnellNorth West isthe Boyne Valley. There is historical
Streethome of the historic General Post Office,evidence in this areadating back to 6000 B.C. New
the firstbuilding to fly the Irish flag during theGrange passage is said to bethe oldest man made
Easter Rebellionof 1916. The National Gallery ofstructure in the world dating to 3000
Ireland is one of thefinest in Europe with oneB.C. The Wicklow Mountains to the south of Dublin
whole exhibit devoted to theworks of J.B. Yeatsaresparsely populated and enjoy a slow pace of
brother of the poet W.B. Yeats. Take astrolllife. Themonastic settlement of Glendalough in the
round St. Stephens Green before heading tomiddle of thevalley dates to the 6th Century.
GraftonFounded by St. Kevin this is a powerful,
Street one of Dublin's most stylish shoppingpeaceful,beautiful place and well worth a visit. You
streets.can take a tripto the Curragh of Kildare for a
Grafton Street is home to street artists andflutter on the horses. The
musicians andhas a wonderful atmosphere.Curragh consists of 4000 acres and is home to
Take some time to visit Trinity College, theover 60 racehorse trainers. It has produced some
oldestuniversity in Western Europe founded inof the most expensiverace horses in the world
1592. Theuniversity houses the Long Room homewith prices running into 7figures.
to the Book of Kells.All in all you will have a wonderful and energetic
The Book of Kells is one of Dublin's most populartime in
andsignificant visitor attractions. Dating back toDublin. Be prepared to walk as it is very easy to
aroundgetaround on foot. And you will need to walk off
800AD, it is considered to be one of the mostthose Irishbreakfasts, with bacon, sausage, black
beautifulreligious manuscripts in the world. Writtenand white pudding,eggs, soda bread and pots of
on vellum, itcontains a Latin text of the fourdelicious Irish tea.
gospels in scriptaccompanied by whole pages ofHmmm!!!.....
detailed illustration. Thebook has been on display"Go N'eirigh an bother leat" and have a wonderful
since the 19th century and has thedubious honortime inthe Capital of the Emerald Isle.
of having been defaced by Queen Victoria.