"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
life 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.
