Ireland · City Guide
Dublin
Dublin is one of Europe's most enjoyable and characterful capital cities, a vibrant literary and musical metropolis of Georgian streets, excellent pubs, world class museums, the magnificent Trinity College Library housing the Book of Kells and an outstanding food scene that has transformed the city into one of the most rewarding dining destinations in the British Isles. From the Temple Bar cultural quarter and Grafton Street to the National Gallery and the Guinness Storehouse, Dublin rewards every visitor with genuine warmth and character.
Elect's take
"Dublin has a quality of human engagement and a literary and musical culture that I find irresistible. The combination of excellent pubs with live traditional music, world class museums, outstanding food and the extraordinary warmth of the Irish people creates something genuinely difficult to replicate."
Trinity College Dublin is one of the great university buildings in the world, and the Long Room of its Old Library housing the 9th century Book of Kells is one of the most extraordinary intellectual and aesthetic experiences available in Ireland — the combination of the illuminated manuscript and the beautiful barrel-vaulted library filled with 200,000 ancient books is genuinely moving. The National Museum of Archaeology houses the finest collection of Celtic gold in the world. The National Gallery has outstanding European and Irish art. The pub culture of Dublin, particularly for traditional Irish music sessions in pubs like the Cobblestone in Smithfield and O'Donoghue's on Merrion Row, is outstanding. The food scene, centred on excellent restaurants across the city, has transformed dramatically.
Best time to visit
How to get there
What to expect
Book of Kells
A 9th century illuminated manuscript in the magnificent Long Room of Trinity College Library.
National Museum of Archaeology
The world's finest collection of Celtic gold and outstanding Irish prehistoric treasures.
Traditional Irish Music
Outstanding trad sessions in the pubs of Smithfield, Merrion Row and across the city.
Dublin Food Scene
A dramatically transformed restaurant culture making Dublin one of the best food cities in the isles.
Literary Heritage
The city of Beckett, Wilde, Joyce and Yeats with outstanding literary walking trails.
Guinness Storehouse
The world's most visited tourist attraction in Ireland celebrating Ireland's most famous product.
