By Yolanda Evans
Gone are the days when most people decide to skip Dublin altogether in favor of other European cities. Today, it’s the 3rd hottest city to visit coming behind London and Paris. In the last decade, Dublin has transformed from old-fashioned to a trendy, chic city of the 21st Century.
While in Dublin, you will be charmed by its nightlife, museums, restaurants and shops, making your visit worthwhile. And as for the Guinness”¦you will never taste better.
If you’re in the mood for shopping, you might want to wander to Grafton Street, Dublin’s mainstream shopping area. Here you can browse in shops such as Lush, Topshop, and Browne Taylor. If you’re on a budget, visit the markets or pop into Penny’s, where you can find the latest fashion without breaking the bank.
Not far away from the hustle of Grafton Street, is Trinity College, the oldest seat of Irish learning. In its library, you can view the famous Book of Kells. Another historic place is Dublin Castle (677 7129, www.dublincastle.ie), once the base for English colonial power in Ireland. Today, along with a few government offices, the castle’s Chester Beatty Library (free to the public 407 0750, www.cbl.ie, closed Mondays from October-April) holds a collection of ancient art and hundreds of manuscripts.
To learn all about the most popular beer of Ireland, head over to the “˜Church of Guinness,’ better know as the Guinness Storehouse (St. James’s Gate, 408 4800, www.guinness-storehouse.com). Costing a hefty €14, the tour is well worth the money spent. In the two hours, you will learn all you need to know about Guinness with the visit ending with you nursing a free pint in the Gravity Bar.
Across the river on the north side, on O’Connell Street, is to the city’s most political monument”“ the General Post Office. On Easter Day in 1916, Patrick Pearse stood on its steps to read a proclamation declaring a free Irish Republic. You can run your hands over bullet holes that riddle the columns and the façade.
At the top of this street is Parnell Square where the Dublin Writers’ Museum (18 Parnell Square, 872 2077, www.writersmuseum.com) is located. Inside are the letters, notes, and personal items from literary writers like Jonathan Swift, Oscar Wilde and James Joyce.
As for drinking and nightlife, there is no better place then the Temple Bar Area. It’s a bit pricey and touristy, but loads of fun. Don’t worry loads of Irish people party here as well. One hot spot you don’t want to miss is the Porterhouse Pub (16-18 Parliament Street, 671 5715, www.porterhousebrewco.com). On certain nights, you can be entertained with a live band and make sure you try their original homemade beer.
While exploring Dublin, you will be appreciating the city’s charm and history. Just be sure to bring a good pair of shoes and have an umbrella on hand.
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