Geography Known as the center of the Celtic Tiger during its boom years in the 90’s (and its recent slide), Dublin was originally settled by the Vikings and became a prominent port city and eventual capital city of the Leinster province and of Ireland. Split into the north and south sides by the green River Liffy, the city opens into Dublin Bay, which soon becomes the Irish Sea. To the south, travellers will see the rolling Wicklow Hills, while to the west and north there is mostly agricultural flatland. With several airlines operating out of its international airport, Dublin enjoys a strong tourism industry and acts as a connecting hub for cheap flights from Riga and Tallinn in the Baltic to destinations across Europe and the Americas. Languages Erin Go Bragh! The main languages spoken in Ireland are English and Irish, or Gaelic, which most children learn in school and is still somewhat used to the south. Travel outside the city and discover that Ireland has as many accents as it has pubs, where anyone can one pick up a cheap plate of fish and chips and a little bit of the Irish slang – if their ear is good. Dublin is a growing cosmopolitan city, with reported rising pockets of Poles, new arrivals from the Baltic, and increased numbers from Nigeria, China, Australia and New Zealand, making Dublin true to its cosmopolitan reputation. Your airBaltic flight will take you to Dublin Airport, just 10 km outside the city. See and Do From there, travel in to your hotel in or other accomodations (Dublin has a few hostels on the cheap end) and get your city-break started with a pint of Guinness at the Guinness Storehouse with its Gravity Bar atop the seventh floor. Then head off to Trinity College, founded in 1592 and purchase tickets to view the equisite Book of Kells or join a walking tour of the city starting out at Trinity’s West Gate. Traditional Irish wool sweaters and crystal may be found along nearby Nassau Street, and of course, Dublin provides a delicious opportunity for those after cheap deals and luxury items alike with many pedestestrian streets lined with an assortment of shops. Recently declared an Architectural Conservation, Grafton Street runs from just beyond the gates of Trinity College to St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin’s central park across the the St. Stephen’s Green Shopping Center. There are also several city bus tours available with a hop on/hop off ticket and go to the most popular sights, including Dublin Castle, the Four Courts and enormous Pheonix Park, to name a few. In a city proud of its literary geniuses Joyce, Wilde and Yeats (to name a few) why not visit the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin’s oldest venue for music, opera, ballet, dance and drama. And of course, travel to Dublin should certainly include a tour of its pubs! Start off at lively O’Donohgues near St. Stephen’s Green or the Auld Dubliner in Temple Bar for some traditional Irish folk music (trad). Of note is also Messrs. Maguire, a four level microbrewery sure to suit the tastes of nearly everyone. For those hungering for some local action, catch a Gaelic Football or a hurling match at Croke Park. Before your flight home, stop at Butler’s Chocolate for some unbelievably creamy, authentic Irish hot chocolate. |
