Destination Dublin
Welcome to Dublin
It's easy to find your feet in friendly, compact Dublin. With a turbulent history behind it ever since the Vikings came to town, the laid-back Irish capital is a harmonious blend of Victorian bars, flat-fronted Georgian townhouses and glass-apartments in the renovated Docklands. Above them all looms the spindly Millennium Spire, better known as the 'Stiletto in the Ghetto' by witty Dubliners.
Dublin Restaurants
Dublin's restaurant scene is a bit of a good news/bad news situation: The good news is that the economic upswing over the last 15 years has brought with it a new generation of international, sophisticated eateries. The bad news is that prices are considerably more than you'd pay in a comparable U.S. city, or even in Paris or London and so far this hasn't changed significantly with the recession.
moreDublin Attractions
Wandering Dublin, just walking down its Georgian streets with a map only in case you get really lost is one of the great pleasures of any visit here. There's almost no way you can go wrong. One minute, you're walking along a quiet leafy street and suddenly the Irish Parliament appears before you. A few minutes later, it's gorgeous Merrion Square. Then, the granite buildings of Trinity College, and on and on. So get a sturdy pair of shoes and have your umbrella at the ready, and head out to discover this rewarding city.
moreDublin Shopping
In recent years, Dublin has surprised everyone by becoming a good shopping town. You'll find few bargains, but for your money you will get excellent craftsmanship in the form of hand-woven wool blankets and clothes in a vivid array of colors, Belleek china and Waterford crystal, and chic clothes from the seemingly limitless line of Dublin designers.
moreDublin Nightlife
Nightlife in Dublin is a mixed bag of traditional old pubs, where the likes of Joyce and Behan once imbibed and where traditional Irish music is often reeling away, and cool modern bars, where the repetitive rhythms of techno now fill the air and the crowd knows more about Prada than the Pogues.
moreDublin Climate
Dublin enjoys a mild temperate climate. More so than than its northerly location might suggest, this is largely due to the influence of the Gulf Stream. The hottest months of the year are July and August, when temperatures range from 15° to 20°C, while the coldest months, January and February – see the thermometer drop to between 4° and 8°C. It rarely gets too cold (major snowfalls are a rarity) but it rarely gets too hot either, so even in the summer months its always adviseable to carry a sweater or a light jacket. Dublin is one of the drier parts of the country, but in a typical year it still rains approximately on 150 days, so an umbrella is always a must if you are out and about.
