Today, we will be taking a close look at a city steeped in vibrant history, ancient folklore, and literary legend: Dublin.
Hello, and thanks for listening to the latest Podcast by hotelbook.com. Today, we will be taking a close look at a city steeped in vibrant history, ancient folklore, and literary legend: Dublin. What once began as a key Viking settlement in medieval times has since grown into an exciting metropolis that attracts folks from all over the world.
Taking a stroll through the ancient streets, it’s easy to imagine yourself back in Dublin’s days of old. The city streets are adorned with all types of architecture including developments from all the hustle and bustle 1960’s, 17th century staples of the British Empire, and even distant remnants of the old Norse community that used to roam the land in the 1st century A.D. The wide range of ancient and recent styling characterize Dublin’s ever-evolving rise to it’s thriving present-day appearance, making the city a European capital like no other, where winds from the past slip through present waves of the present in a seamless ebb and flow.
Upon arriving in the home of Guiness, there’s plenty to see and experience, so we’ve developed some great suggestions for getting the most out of your trip to Dublin. At the beginning of your trip, we recommend you take the time to carouse the Southside of the city, below the wide river Liffey. Traditionally, the city has been structured around this division, where the Northside was known to feature the haunts of the working class Dubliners, and the Southside had a more posh standing, belonging to the middle to upper middle class. However, several real-world examples turn the tables on this simple distinction, because for instance the President of Ireland’s residence lies in the Northside, and about 8 working-class suburbs such as Dolphin’s Barn and Crumlin are all south of the Liffey! Nonetheless, the Southside is great to wander through because it’s high standing among locals has led to inventive cultural development over time. For instance, one of Dublin’s largest attractions is Temple Bar, a vibrant cultural center, where narrow cobbled streets are lined with numerous theatres, unique restaurants, and pleasant pubs. Although the Temple Bar area, from the Liffey river down to Dame Street, is most famous for its un-matched nightlife, the area retains a hip feel thanks to its frequent un-announced street performances, food and fashion street markets, and lively music venues. The atmosphere here is notably contagious, where it’s not uncommon for a tourist to enter Temple Bar empty-handed and leave with an instrument in hand. Exploring this area of town, you’ll have the best opportunity to gather a feel for what being a Dubliner is all about.
Absorbing the culture and ambiance of Temple Bar takes time, and we recommend staying at Mercer Hotel, a featured property on hotelbook.com, to help you take in the exciting area of Dublin. Just a few blocks from all of the action of Temple Bar, the Mercer is a stylish boutique hotel that carries a modern and relaxing atmosphere. Inside, you’ll find a polished wood interior which features a cozy bar and restaurant that are ideal for taking a break from the big city.
Next, we recommend meandering over to the Dublin Castle, where you can truly dive into the rich history of the city. Once a Danish Viking Fortress, this huge structure stands atop the high ridge of the city, making it the highest building in town. Host to a rotating cast of characters through the years, the castle has been the home to Normans, Norwegians, and the English. As the castle has stuck around since the first Norse settlement way back when, wandering through it’s old walls can be the ultimate history lesson in Dublin’s storied development.. Over time, the castle has worn many hats, whether it be a royal residence and president offices, or parliament, courthouse, and military garrison. Taking a stroll through the ancient Castle, you’ll be sure to learn fascinating bits of Irish history that you would be hard-pressed to find out on your own, such as that the Irish Gaelic name for the town is Baile Athat Cliath, which means “The Settlement of the Ford of the Reed Hurdles”.
As you continue to explore the capital of the Emerald Isle, you’ll come to realize that Dublin is a city of hidden gems. For instance, while walking around a simple street corner, it’s easy to stumble across a huge, cavernous cathedral that had been previously hidden from view. Even better, taking a stroll around the river at the city’s center, it’s not uncommon to come across one of the many old residences of one of Dublin’s many literary greats including James Joyce, Bram Stoker, Oscar Wilde, George Bernard Shaw, and Jonathan Swift. After taking the time to get to know the colorful Irish, you’ll soon learn that their up-beat attitude and open-mindedness all cater to an atmosphere rife with fervent imagination. For example, it was among these very streets that Gulliver began his Travels, Dracula first awakened at night, Godot began his long Wait, and Dorian’s first Portrait was painted.
Of course, the best time of year to really experience the vibrant spirit of the Irish is St. Patrick’s Day. Held March 17, this world-famous festival began as a way to celebrate the patron saint of Ireland. The festival has grown exponentially as the Irish have spread their roots across the globe, and the St. Patrick’s Parade held in New York City for instance attracts around 2 million viewers every year. To grasp why the Irish and those without any Irish descent at all celebrate this holiday across the globe, you need to be right in the heart of the action in Dublin.
However, as St. Patrick’s Day is sure to draw an immense crowd, we recommend staying just a bit out of town at the Osprey Hotel, where you will find the ideal pairing of a country hotel and a modern accommodation. Set across 8 flowing acres, the hotel lies just outside of Dublin amongst the hilly countryside of Kildare County. Nevertheless, the Osprey is far from an old country hotel, it is a newly redesigned property with spacious banquet rooms, full-service spa, indoor pool, and a lively bar. Plus, being right next door to a vibrant set of nightclubs, there will be plenty to keep your attention.
Well, as this podcast comes to a close we hope you’ve enjoyed this brief look at Dublin. As words can only do so much, we recommend trying the city out for yourself, to really grasp the uplifting spirit of Dublin. As always there are links and more details about the sites and hotels mentioned at blog.hotelbook.com. Stay tuned for more tips and travel ideas from hotelbook.com.
Very informative, many thanks for all the information
Posted by: Ross | June 21, 2009 at 10:49 PM
That sounds so good! Waiting for your next updates.
Posted by: Dublin Hotels | July 07, 2009 at 11:51 AM
You really should mention all the pubs in and around Temple Bar, like porterhouse that server the best beer in the world according to me.
Posted by: Danne | October 13, 2009 at 09:03 AM