When people say “Ireland” the first thing that usually comes to mind are men in kilts playing the bag pipes. Yes, it is true that kilts and bag pipes are still used here, but the state of Ireland has certainly more to offer. If you want to visit the Ireland, we suggest you head on down to the city of Dublin for some culture, shopping and sports – and yeah, let’s not forget free flowing beer all throughout.
If you are in search of some cultural depth, Dublin will certainly not disappoint you. The city is rich in literary history and you can visit a lot of places here dedicated to the memories of James Joyce, George Bernard Shaw and Jonathan Swift, to name a few. If you are into literary masterpieces, you may also want to drop by the National Library of Ireland and the National Print Museum of Ireland. However, if you prefer spending more time watching than reading the works of literary geniuses, we recommend checking out the latest listings of plays, operas and musicals from the numerous theaters in Dublin.
Certainly, nothing can beat a live performance, and people in Dublin are (very rightfully so) very proud of their theatrical productions. You may want to spend some (or most) of your evenings at: the Abbey, the Gaiety, the Gate, Mahony Hall (Helix, Dublin City University) or at the Olympia. Other culturally rich places to visit are: the City Arts Centre, the Douglas Hyde Gallery, the Hugh Lane Municipal Galley, the Irish Museum of Modern Art, the National Gallery, the National Museum of Ireland, the Project Arts Centre and the Royal Hibernian Academy.
After taking in all that culture, how about some R&R? Dublin is also the best place to literally “shop ‘til you drop” – that is, if you have a rather fat wallet waiting to explode. The shopping districts here are extensive and there are a number of large high end stores and quaint mini-stores to choose from. Some of the more popular places to flip your credit cards are at: Arnotts, Brown Thomas, Clerys, Dundrum Town Centre, Debenhams, Ilac Shopping Centre, Jervis Shopping Centre, Tallaght, etc.
To some people the word “Ireland” is synonymous to World Cup Football (soccer, to the unversed); and World Cup Football is synonymous to beer. Yes, this is one mystery in life that is very much magnified in Dublin. The locals here are World Cup Football crazy, and if you time your arrival during the peak of the gaming season, then we suggest you brush up on your drinking abilities because pubs and bars have beer almost free flowing from the tap. Other sports festivities are: Gaelic football, rugby and hurling. You may want to check out the local sports page to know when and where these events are being held. Accommodations during this time can be difficult, so you may want to book rooms in advance.
The nightlife in Dublin, aside from the bars and pubs, are also rather lively. Concerts of famous Irish performers are usually held in Dublin to a packed stadium (think U2 and Robbie Williams.) Or if you really want to “p-a-r-t-y,” try checking out the infamous Temple Bar south of River Liffey.
