A friendly and welcoming city, Dublin is the main tourist destination in the whole of Ireland. It is friendly, sociable and cultured. The city is spread around a wide bay at the mouth of the River Liffey, which divides Dublin into what locals consider the ‘Northside’ and ‘Southside’. Between them, there’s a busy central district with period buildings and modern developments surrounded by cargo and passenger ports, commercial areas and suburban areas.
Exploring historic Dublin
In the heart of the city, you’ll find the imposing entrance to the stone buildings and gardens of Trinity College. Step inside the old college to find the illustrated Celtic manuscript known as ‘The Book of Kells’. This 1200-year-old hand-written and decorated religious book is one of Ireland’s top attractions.
Nearby is the grand complex known as Dublin Castle, a mix of historic buildings from different eras of British rule from medieval times to the 20th century. You’ll find it’s full of stories from Irish history, including that fact that in 1907 the Irish Crown Jewels were stolen from the castle – to this day, they have never been recovered.
At the multi-towered St Patrick’s Cathedral, Ireland’s largest church, you’ll be able to gaze up at the impressive nave and enjoy a free guided tour to learn all about this beautiful building's history. The Cathedral is where many of Ireland’s national ceremonies are held. And pop inside one of the three branches of Ireland’s National Museum across Dublin and browse the grand collection of Irish art, archaeology and natural history.
The cool and the cultured
Amongst the abundance of historical hotspots across Dublin, you'll find a host of differing districts all offering you something new and unique to explore. As a world renowned area of the city, Cultural Quarter is the liveliest of the lot. Commonly known as the Temple Bar area, here you'll find the streets lined with performers and buskers, as well as there being regular markets selling local produce and crafts. Make sure to check the performance calendar before heading there, as you might catch one of the fantastic street theatre acts in full swing. Not only that, but there's also hip boutiques and chic second-hand stores for you to browse and find a hidden gem.
If you're keen to explore the cultural side to Dublin's shopping offerings, head for the Antiques District. Found just off the Francis Street region on the city, spend an afternoon taking in quirky stores and antiques, from delicate ornaments to medieval furnishings. For a taste of the cool, head to the 'Silicon Docks' in the city's tech quarter, where the likes of Facebook, Twitter and Google have develop the waterfront into a hip hangout.
Heading to the great outdoors
With a hire car from the airport, you can escape the bustle of the city centre and explore the whole Dublin Bay area. Head for the picturesque seaside resorts of Dalkey to the south and Howth to the north of the city centre.
And if you have time for a day trip, explore the classic Irish rolling farmland to the north-west. It’s dotted with pretty loughs, or lakes, making the perfect location for fishing, walks and picnics. The most dramatic scenery is in the magnificent Wicklow Mountains National Park, to the south of Dublin. You’ll find panoramas of heather-clad moors, exposed lumps of granite and streams trickling over mossy rocks.
Whether you're visiting for a city break or business, hiring a car from Dublin Airport will give you the chance to explore this beautiful city and have a memorable trip.
