Dublin OverviewCosmopolitan, colourful and over a thousand years old, Dublin
presents a fine starting point for visitors to Ireland. This
capital city is split in two by the River Liffey, which gives form
to the city and has no less than nine bridges spanning it. Easily
explored on foot, central Dublin presents a wealth of historic
landmarks, from ancient cathedrals to gracious Georgian buildings
that pay testimony to days gone by. There are several attractions
on both sides of the Liffey, ranging from gaols and castles to the
birthplaces of famous poets and writers and guided literary
trails. Not far from the city in County Wicklow are the Wicklow
Mountains, where hills and glens, forests and waterfalls attract
weekend walkers and nature-lovers. Dublin Bay, which lies between
the mouth of the River Liffey and the Dalkey headland, is the site
of several small coastal towns and the ferry port of Dun Laoghaire.
County Kildare is a region of rich farmland and fine reputation for
the breeding of thoroughbred horses, while the similar counties of
Louth and Meath have evidence of early civilisations and a wealth
of castles and monasteries. |