Each month we showcase an exceptional European city – Dublin is our focus in December…
Dublin, Ireland’s capital, has a reputation for being an extremely lively city with a friendly ‘village’ atmosphere.
Besides a thriving social scene, with medieval castles and cathedrals standing alongside Georgian architecture, Dublin is a historical and contemporary centre for education, the arts, administration and industry.
In 2018 the city was listed as a global city with ‘alpha’ ranking by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network (GaWC), placing it among the top thirty cities in the world.
Summary: With an array of sights and attractions, a lively social scene, and framed by the stunning natural beauty of the bay and mountains, Dublin is an ideal city for:
- Leisure groups
- Students
- MICE
- FITs
DUBLIN FACTFILE
Population of Dublin: 1.36m
Location: situated in a bay on the east coast of Ireland, at the mouth of the River Liffey and bordered by part of the Wicklow Mountain range
Nearest airport: Dublin Airport is about 23 kilometres away from the city centre
Getting around Dublin:
- The city has an extensivepublic bus network and LUAS tram system which extend to the suburbs
- Bicycle hire is available throughout the city
- Dublin is compact and easy to walk
What to eat and drink in Dublin:
Traditional food is hearty and warming, such as Irish stew (made with lamb or beef), colcannon (mashed potato with kale or cabbage), boxty (potato pancakes), coddle (sausage, bacon, potato) with brown bread, and bacon and cabbage (with potatoes). Drinks-wise, Dublin is packed full of cosy pubs and is the home of Guinness.
Weather/seasons in Dublin:
Dublin’s climate is oceanic, cool and humid throughout the year. The average temperature ranges from 5 °C in January and February to 15.5 °C in July and August. The best time to visit Dublin is from June to August, since these are the mildest and warmest months of the year.
Dublin’s top 10 must-visit landmarks and attractions:
- Guinness Storehouse – the multimedia exhibition is Ireland’s number one tourist attraction. After the tour, enjoy a pint of the ‘Black Stuff’ in the Gravity Bar with panoramic views over the city.
- Trinity College’s Old Library – take a tour of the largest library in Ireland, home to the world famous Book of Kells – an illuminated manuscript containing all four Gospels of the New Testament dating back to the 9th
- Christ Church Cathedral – this impressive fully-operational church is one of Dublin’s two medieval cathedrals.
- St Patrick’s Cathedral – dating back to 1220, the cathedral boasts 19th century stained glass, a beautiful chapel and a wealth of historical monuments and artefacts.
- Dublin Castle – visitors can explore the early 13th century castle’s grounds, take a tour of the State Apartments, Medieval Undercroft, and the Chapel Royal, or explore the Chester Beatty Library, the Garda Museum and the Revenue Museum.
- Kilmainham Gaol – a guided tour of the building illustrates the history of the jail and gives an insight into the politics and restoration.
- Temple Bar – one of Dublin’s most iconic bars – dating back to the early 1300s – it remains popular to this day due to its location in the heart of the city.
- Ha’penny Bridge – built in 1816, the unique white-picket bridge is the first pedestrian bridge to span over the River Liffey and has become an iconic landmark of the city.
- National Botanic Gardens – visitors can explore the plants, flowers, and sculptures in the tranquil gardens and restored glasshouses.
- National Museum of Ireland (three sites) – notable exhibits include the Viking display and the spectacular gold artifact collection.
Dublin’s top events throughout the year
- St Patrick’s Day Festival – in March, the city celebrates with music, theatre, céilís, art, and marching bands, culminating in a parade through the streets.
- Dublin Fringe Festival – in September, Dublin celebrates culture with cabaret, comedy, dance, food, live music, art installations, spoken word and theatre.
- New Year celebrations – Dublin knows how to party, and ringing in a new year is no exception with lights, music and lasers.
Check out our three-day Dublin City Break or contact us for a tailor-made European itinerary for your clients.
