All About Dublin
May 9, 2009 by Kori Ellis
Filed under Home & Living
If you are embarking on a European vacation, one of the more interesting places to visit that is sometimes overlooked is Dublin, Ireland. From its inception as a Viking settlement to the most important city and the capital of Ireland, Dublin has a long and rich history. Over 500,000 people live within Dublin’s city limits and a million more in the greater urban area. Today, Dublin is the economic and cultural center of Ireland.
Image: Trinity College, Dublin
The modern city of Dublin dates all the way back to the year 841 AD, when Norse settlers founded the town. Once the Normans invaded Ireland, the city became a key military and political stronghold. In the 17th century, the city expanded rapidly, mainly because of the fact that the city was the second city of the British Empire. By the 19th century, though, the city had gone into decline and Belfast had surpassed Dublin in superiority and grandeur. The first half of the 20th century saw much destruction of Ireland, especially during World War II, but increased prosperity saw much beautification and advancement from then until today.
Dublin’s temperate climate makes for mild winters and cool summers. Throughout the year, the temperature dips as low as freezing and as high as 70 degrees and rarely strays outside those boundaries. During the winter, it mainly rains, and heavy snow fall is rare. Hail occurs more frequently.
Irish culture has produced many notable artists, writers, and performers. Writers like Samuel Beckett and James Joyce are world-renowned for their works, many of which focus on the city itself, such as The Dubliners by James Joyce.
It is said that over half of all Irish people are younger than 25 years old, and this youth contributes to a large nightlife in Dublin. Live music is very popular, and bands like U2 and Thin Lizzy have gone on to international success.
Looking to learn more about vacationing to Dublin? Here are some resources that may be of help:
Image credit: Flickr – féileacán
