Explore Dublin

• Christian missionaries like Patrick, Ireland’s

patron saint, arrived in Ireland in the 5th
century AD and converted the Celts to
Christianity. Around the 9th century the Vikings
invaded Ireland, but they merged with the local
population and adopted Christianity. They
established a trading port where the River
Poddle joined the river Liffey in a black pool, in
Irish a dubh linn, from which the city takes its
name.
 History
• Between the 16th and 17th centuries Ireland was conquered by
England and its best land was distributed among the
Protestants, while the Catholics found themselves excluded
from Parliament. Opposition to British rule grew over time and
led to the Easter Rising revolt, which took place in Dublin in
1916. The revolt was crushed but wouldeventually lead to
Ireland’s division and independence through a long series of
further rebellions, uprisings and a Civil War. Ireland became a
free state in 1921 but remained within the British
Commonwealth, and six Ulster counties, which make up
Northern Ireland, were allowed to leave the new country. More
troubles followed and the country became a totally independent
republic in 1949.
What to see
• There are fourteen bridges on the Liffey, the most famous of which is Ha’penny
Bridge, so called because there was a halfpenny toll to cross it. South of the river
is Trinity College, the university founded by Elizabeth in 1592. The College’s
prime attraction is the Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript from around
800 AD one of the oldest books in the world. It contains the four New
Testament Gospels.Also the College’s Old Library, with its 65 metre Long Room
containing the library’s oldest books, merits a visit. West of Trinity College is
Temple Bar, made up of a series of narrow lanes between Dame Street and the
river. It’s one of the oldest and liveliest areas of the city. Further west are
Dublin’s medieval cathedrals of Christ Church and St.Patrik’s. Close by i salso
Dublin Castle, built on the orders of King John in the 1200s. on the north bank
of the river are the Custom House and the Four Courts, two Georgian-era
masterpieces designed by James Gandon, Dublin’s pre-eminent architect. In
O’Connel Street is the General Post Office (GPO), where the Easter rising took
place. Finally, Dun Laoghaire with the nearby James Joyce Museum, and
Howth are to porto which make good excursions from the city centre. Dublin
has a world famous literary history. Here are a few of its literary landmarks.
What to do
Entertainment
• The Guinness Hop Store, which i perhaps Dublin’s top tourist
attraction, is situated in Crane Street, to the west of south central
Dublin. It was the historic brewery’s old sotrehouse for hops,
which is the main ingredient in beer-making. There’s museum
whith audio visuals, and entry tickets include a pint of Guinness.
Evening and night-time is the time to explore Dublinìs pubs.

Shopping
• Popular buys include Aran sweaters, Waterford crystal or listen
from Donegal. Temple bar has a host of small shop selling ecletic
clothes, old books and records. Grafton road has the trendiest
shops, though expensive.