Destination Dublin -
A Dreamer's Paradise

chillibreeze writer — Uma Nair

Need an editable PowerPoint map of Ireland

“When I die, Dublin will be written in my heart”, said James Joyce, one of Dublin’s most famous personalities. One cannot help but wonder if this statement would be true for anyone who has visited this vibrant, historical and trendy city. Whether you’re looking to find some literary tradition or get a taste of traditional Irish pub culture, Dublin has a lot to offer to visitors of all ages. The largest city in Ireland and also its capital, Dublin was named as a UNESCO city of literature in 2010.

The land of poets and writers

Dublin is home to some of the world’s most renowned poets and writers like James Joyce, William Butler Yeats, Jonathan Swift, Oscar Wilde and Samuel Beckett. In this city, you can find their presence in almost every nook and corner. Considering that Dublin is one of the literary capitals of the world, you can spend many a leisure hour visiting the homes of these literary greats and also get a glimpse of what their lives were like at one of the many museums dedicated to them.

Pay a visit to Oscar Wilde’s house, or even that of Nobel Laureate George Bernard Shaw’s and be transported into a time of Georgian architecture or Victorian elegance and charm. Or travel a few miles south of the city to visit the James Joyce Museum – The James Joyce tower here was the setting for one of his greatest masterpieces, Ulysses. If you prefer the darker side of literature, pay a visit to the home of none other than the author of the chilling novel Dracula, Bram Stoker. Another place to quench your literary thirst is the Dublin Writers Museum. This museum hosts a variety of books, letters, portraits and personal items belonging to prominent authors and poets like Shaw, Yeats, Wilde, and Joyce. The magnificent 18th century mansion where this museum is based out of truly adds to the celebration of literature that is Dublin.

Monuments and architecture

The history of the city of Dublin dates back as far as the 1st Century BC and has its architecture been influenced tremendously by the local Gaelic culture as well as British rule. Some of the most famous landmarks in the city are the Dublin castle, Trinity College, Christ Church Cathedral, St. Patrick’s cathedral, and one of the more recent landmarks, the Dublin Spire in the heart of the city. One of the best ways to see architectural Dublin is to take the Walking Tour of Georgian Dublin. This two hour walk takes tourists through many of the city’s landmarks starting from the Grand Canal to St. Stephen’s Green which is a beautiful park dating back to 1880, dotted with memorials to famous Dubliners. One of the earliest iron-cast structures of its kind the Ha’penny Bridge is a pedestrian crossing over the River Liffey, the river on whose banks Dublin is situated. The bridge gets its name from the toll levied on users of the bridge until about 90 years ago. And don’t forget to catch a glimpse of the Book of Kells, a decorated manuscript of the four Testaments displayed at Trinity College.

Sláinte Dublin!

No, you cannot visit Dublin and not get a taste of its amazing nightlife and its world famous Guinness. Dublin is famous for its traditional pub culture and street performers. Where else can you drop in at a quaint little bar in the middle of the bustling city only to be welcomed by some live traditional Irish music? Pub crawls are famous in this city, and considering that some of these pubs date back a 100 years, tradition and culture seep into every drink. Very popular with tourists, the Temple Bar area is packed with youngsters and stag and hen parties. However, known to but a few, there are other traditional nightlife spots around Stephen’s Green and Merrion Row that are frequented by locals and where you can get a true sampling of what the local nightlife is like.

Another not-to-miss spot is the Guinness factory where you can witness the production of one of the world’s most famous beers. And if you’re lucky, you’ll also be able to name a batch of beer after yourself. Once you’ve taken the tour, treat yourself to a free pint of cold, dark Guinness on the top floor of the factory. The spectacular view of the city from its glass encircled room will take your breath away. And don’t be disheartened if you’re a teetotaler. Dublin being one of Europe’s cultural hubs serves up some amazing menus of world cuisine. So, sit back, soak up the music and raise that glass in a toast to life. Sláinte!

Beyond the city

If you’re looking for some peace and tranquility after the frenzy of the city, Dublin, surrounded by the sea and the mountains, offers plenty of options for quick getaways. Pay a visit to the picturesque coastal villages of Howth and Killiney and get a first hand experience of magnificent cliffs and inland trails. Many of these seaside villages and towns are best explored on foot, and can be covered either in a single day or over a weekend. The quaint restaurants and bars serve up amazing local cuisine and visitors can get a true picture of local life. There are also many castles and ancient mansions dating back up to more than 800 years that are easily accessible from the city.

Dublin is truly a dreamer’s paradise. Rich and vibrant with culture, spectacular landscapes and literary tradition, infused with modernism and global trends, Dublin inspires her visitors - inspires them to dream of returning to this magical land.

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Chillibreeze's disclaimer: This is a contributed article and was published on Chillibreeze in July, 2011. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the views of Chillibreeze as a company. Chillibreeze has a strict anti-plagiarism policy. Please contact us to report any copyright issues related to this article. The relevance of the facts and figures cited (if any) could change after a period of time.

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—About our writer:

Uma spent 4 years managing an online sales and operations team and a corporate social responsibility team during her 6 year stint at Google India. Prior to Google, she worked for more than a year with the Times of India. Currently on a sabbatical to raise her baby, Uma has experience in travel writing, article writing and historical research. She is an avid traveler and a history buff, and also an active volunteer with children’s organizations.

Destination Dublin - A Dreamer's Paradise

chillibreeze writer — Uma Nair

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Destination Dublin -
A Dreamer's Paradise