Dublin (Baile Átha Cliath in Irish) is Ireland's largest city and its capital, one of Europe's fastest growing centres and one of the global cities. The city itself has around 500,000 residents but the metropolitan area is home to over 1,5 million people. It is thought to be one of the world's richest cities now.
The city's maritime temperate climate means mild winters and cool summers, with moderate rainfall and lack of extreme temperatures.
The city's name comes from the Irish for "black pool", Dubh Linn. It was originally a Viking settlement on the east coast of Ireland at the mouth of the River Liffey, founded near an older monastery around 841. Following the Anglo-Norman conquest of Ireland in the 12th century, Dublin and its castle has become the key centre of military and judicial power on the island, a role that it played ever since.
Dublin was the capital of the Lordship of Ireland, the Kingdom of Ireland, the island as part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Irish Republic, the Irish Free State and now the Republic of Ireland. Dublin is home to the national parliament of Ireland, the Oireachtas, which meets at the Leinster House, and to the President who lives at Áras an Uachtaráin in the Phoenix Park, the city's largest.
For a few centuries the control of the English crown was limited to a part of Ireland around Dublin. Some of the important medieval buildings that survive in Dublin include St. Patrick's Cathedral, Christchurch Cathedral and St. Audoen's Church. In 1592, Trinity College Dublin was opened outside the then city borders. Dublin overtook Drogheda as a political centre, and then as the chief port following the invasion led by Oliver Cromwell.
The city started to expand rapidly, and in Georgian era was the second biggest city of the British Empire, and the fifth biggest in Europe. The Wide Streets Commission demolished most of the narrow medieval streets of Dublin and replaced them with wide streets like Sackville Street (now O'Connell Street), Dame Street and D'Olier Street, and the large squares like Rutland Square (now Parnell Square), Mountjoy Square and St. Stephen's Green.
This time left many magnificent buildings like the former ducal palace of Leinster House, Powerscourt House and Aldborough House, and it was in mid-18th century when Jonathan Swift published Gulliver's Travels, the Guinness brewery and Jameson distillery opened, and George Frideric Handel's Messiah was premiered at New Musick Hall in Fishamble Street.
During the 19th century much of the city centre, especially the area north of the Liffey, was turning into slums, and the more prosperous citizens moved out into the new suburbs like Ballsbridge, Rathmines and Rathgar which feature magnificent Victorian architecture. The city's growth slowed down in the industrial revolution era as Belfast was a more prominent shipbuilding centre in Ireland. Dublin produced more famous writers, however, and the likes of Oscar Wilde, William Butler Yeats, George Bernard Shaw, and Bram Stoker are closely associated with the city. James Joyce in particular is famous for capturing the city and its people in his books like Dubliners or Ulysses.
The Easter Rising of 1916 took place in Dublin and brought much destruction to the city, as did the following Anglo-Irish and Irish Civil Wars. General Post Office, Custom House and the Four Courts have all been heavily damaged in the fighting. The city centre was rebuilt by the Irish Free State government.
Architecturaly, however, Dublin has stayed behind to an extent, which made it perfect for historical film production as large parts of cityscape looked as though they haven't changed since 19th century. Only in the 1960s did modern architecture gain a foothold in Dublin as the tenements were being removed but some of the Georgian grandeur has been carefully preserved. The literature, now increasingly bilingual, continued to flourish in Dublin, and work of Seán O'Casey, Samuel Beckett and Brendan Behan reflects the independent Irish spirit.
The city modernisation started in earnest around the 1980s. The Temple Bar area, one of the last remaining areas with medieval street plan, was developed as something of an artistic neighbourhood. 1990s saw the building boom in Dublin as Ireland's economy started to grow rapidly. The financial district of International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) along the North Quays is one of the more prominent recent developments. The 120-metre tall Dublin Spire, erected in 2003 on the site of Nelson's Pillar in O'Connell Street which the I.R.A. blew up in 1966, is the tallest street sculpture anywhere in the world.
Formerly run-down central districts like Dublin Docklands and Spencer Dock are being redeveloped, with new office and residential properties being constructed. Some of the most contemporary hotels in Dublin are in those areas. However, Dublin doesn't have many high-rise buildings, so the historic view are largely undisturbed by modern architecture.
Dublin is home to Ireland's biggest libraries and museums like the National Museum of Ireland's history and natural history branches, Irish Museum of Modern Art, National Print Museum and National Library of Ireland, as well as legendary theatres like the Gaiety, the Abbey, the Olympia, Mahony Hall and the Gate which have been important in the history of drama and musical theatre.
The city has also produced a number of internationally popular rock and pop acts since 1970s including The Boomtown Rats, U2, Sinéad O'Connor and My Bloody Valentine. The frontman of another popular Dublin band, Thin Lizzy's Phil Lynott is commemorated with a statue on Harry Street.
Dublin offers a variety of nightlife and entertainment options. There are numerous pubs all over town, and Temple Bar area is particularly popular boasting numerous restaurants, nightclubs and, naturally enough, bars. The area near St. Stephen's Green also has many popular pubs and nightclubs. As these areas are a major tourist draw, there is a number of hotels in Dublin's entertainment districts.
Most of Ireland's sporting organisations are headquartered in Dublin, as is the International Rugby Board (IRB). The city's Croke Park is the 4th largest stadium in Europe with a capacity of over 82,000 people. It hosts Gaelic and international rules football games as well as concerts. Another major stadium, hosting the 2011 Europa League Final (UEFA Cup), is in Lansdowne Road. Dublin area has several race cources for greyhound and horse racing.
Shopping districts in Dublin include Grafton Street with its famous Brown Thomas department store and Henry Street with Arnotts and Debenhams stores.
Dublin's public transport includes extensive bus and suburban rail routes, as well as some new Luas Tram lines. Dublin is also a major transportation hub, Ireland's motorway centre, country's busiest sea port and island's busiest airport.
Hotels in Dublin
As a prominent international financial centre and a major cultural destination, Dublin has a considerable number of hotels. From the business-focused newer properties in the redeveloped districts to the historic five-star hotels in the centre, go4hotels.com can help you find suitable accomodation anywhere in the city. The seasonal discounts, hot deals and last-minute rates allow us to offer the best possible price for your hotel room in Dublin. Dublin hotels are rarely impersonal high-tech monstrosities that some European capitals are unfortunate enough to have. Hotels in Dublin, one of the world's friendlest cities, tend to offer service with nothing less than a smile.