Dublin
is and isn't what you'd expect. Yes, it's the charming, walkable
city you supposed it would be, and the corner pub lives up
to its reputation for providing a warm welcome. Wry perceptions
are uttered with a winsome Irish lilt, sparked by the same
muse that inspired George Bernard Shaw, Oscar Wilde and James
Joyce. And you'll always be confirming that most eternal of
Dublin truths -- the absolute necessity of an umbrella.
But today's Dublin also includes high-tech companies, many
of them housed in the lovely Georgian homes that line the
city's streets. Although the high-tech industrial boom that
rejuvenated the Irish economy in recent years has slowed,
new high-rises and cosmopolitan restaurants and hotels continue
to spring up next door to traditional taverns and friendly
guest houses, while a beehive of construction work aimed at
improving the city's infrastructure buzzes around them. Dublin
is a city in transition, from medieval capital to exciting
commercial center -- a hip, electric city, astonishing even
those who make it their business to stay on Europe's cutting
edge. Its unpretentious charm is still there, but chic urbanity
has moved in beside it.
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Irish Museum of Modern Art
"In 1991, the restored site of the Royal Hospital was
officially opened as the Irish Museum of Modern Art. This
splendid 17th century building is now the venue for some
superb exhibitions, and conducts a number of educational
and community-oriented projects. Free guided tours are available
and these include visits to the chapel, banqueting hall
and the beautifully restored baroque garden. Current exhibitions
include work by Colin Middleton and Denis Oppenheim.
Trinity College
Founded in 1592 by Elizabeth I, Trinity is Ireland's most
prestigious university, attracting thousands of visitors
each year. The college consists of a series of fine open
squares and College Park. The major attraction at Trinity
is the exquisitely decorated illuminated manuscript, the
Book of Kells, which dates from 800 A.D. and contains 340
folios which illustrate the four New Testament gospels.
The Old Library is also a worth a visit for its antiquarian
books. The College Chapel and Berkeley Library should not
be missed.
National Gallery of Ireland
Refresh your mind and soul with a visit to the National
Gallery of Ireland, with its superb collection of European
masterpieces. British, Dutch, Flemish, French, Italian,
German and Spanish schools are all well represented, while
the Yeats Room is a fantastic tribute to the work of this
most creative of Irish families. The National Gallery also
features a recently opened multimedia facility boasting
touchscreen information on every exhibit. The cafe and bookstore
on the ground floor are pleasant places to visit after taking
in the gallery's many attractions.
Dublin City Marathon
Irelands "friendly marathon" inspires camraderie
that helps the competitors endure the 26.2-mile course that
starts and ends on renowned OConnell Street. Up to the challenge?
Registration is EUR40 for Irish residents, EUR50 for Europe
and UK, USD60 for US and all others. Spectators can watch
for free. There are sizeable prizes for winners in the men's
and womens individual categories, as well as for veterans,
para-athletes, competitors with Cerebral Palsy and visually
impaired runners. Everyone who finishes receives an engraved
marathon souvenir and a special marathon T-shirt.
Natural History Museum
This creepy and fascinating museum remains almost untouched
since it was opened in 1857. Upon entering, one is met with
three skeletons of the extinct Irish elk that lived 10,000
years ago. A variety of creatures are displayed in pickling
jars, including an octopus, leeches and worms. Check out
the world collection upstairs which features stuffed rhinos,
pandas and two whales. Also worth seeing is the Blaschka
collection of marine plants. In all, this museum provides
a marvellous insight into the world of the Victorian museum-as-mausoleum.
Iveagh Gardens
Developed as part of the Iveagh Estate in the 18th century,
these gardens are still one of Dublin's best kept secrets,
so well-tucked away that they remain quiet and tranquil
even in the height of summer. The grounds were laid out
at a time when all things Gothic were the height of fashion,
so prepare to be slightly spooked by the park's dark, ivy-clad
corners, eerie statues and winsome grotto. The gardens are
currently under restoration and a Victorian rosarium has
been recently rebuilt.
All-Ireland Finals
The second and fourth Sundays in September play host to
Ireland's two most important sporting events. Croke Park,
close to the city center, is the venue for the All-Ireland
Gaelic football and hurling finals. Gaelic football and
hurling are played across all 32 counties of Ireland. Croke
Park is in the midst of a major redevelopment plan and is
becoming a fit stage for these exciting national events.
If you're lucky enough to get tickets, these events are
quite a spectacle.
Dublin Theatre Festival
The Dublin Theatre Festival is one of the city's major annual
events, presenting productions of new Irish plays and visiting
international company productions. For the two weeks of
the festival, all major theaters in Dublin are generally
utilized, so be sure to book in advance. Past programmes
have included Dublin Carol, a new play by Conor McPherson,
and a spectacular production by Footsbarn Theatre Company.
Check out the festival Website in the fall for scheduling
and ticket details.
St. Patrick's Festival
The event starts on the 12th of March, with a night parade
wending its way through the city. Be prepared for fire-breathing
monsters, giants and creatures of the night. The parade
on the 17th offers a heady mixture of bands, pageants, carnival
costumes and pageantry. If you feel like joining in, take
part in the Monster Cili in St Stephen's Green. Arguably
Ireland's biggest street-theatre carnival, and an impressive
fireworks display round up the events.
James Joyce Centre
his Georgian townhouse is beautifully restored thanks to
the efforts of David Norris, a Joycean enthusiast, Irish
Senator and human rights activist who saved the house from
demolition. Once the home of Dennis Maginni and his dance
school, the James Joyce Centre hosts an extensive program
of events, including films, lectures and walking tours of
Joycean Dublin haunts. The centre also organizes Bloomsday,
an annual celebration of Joyce's "Ulysses," which
takes place on June 16th.
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