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Traditionally, a north south division has existed in Dublin with the dividing line provided by the River Liffey. The Northside is generally seen as working-class, while the Southside is seen as middle and upper middle class. Dublin postal districts reflect the North/South divide, with odd numbers being used for districts on the Northside, e.g: Phibsboro is in Dublin 7, and even numbers for ones on the Southside, e.g: Sandymount is in Dublin 4.
This division dates back centuries, certainly to the point when the Earl of Kildare built his residence on the then less regarded Southside. When asked why he was building on the South Side, he replied "Where I go, fashion follows me", and indeed he was promptly followed by most other Irish peers.
Georgian Dublin was, for a time, the second city of the British Empire after London. Much of Dublin's best architecture dates from this time. The Easter Rising of 1916 left the capital in an unstable situation and the Anglo-Irish War and Irish Civil War left the capital in ruins, with many of its finest buildings destroyed. The Irish Free State rebuilt much of the city's buildings and moved parliament to Leinster House, but took no bold tasks such as remodelling until the 1960s.
Trinity College, Dublin was founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I. Ireland's oldest university. Trinity is located on College Green opposite the former Irish Houses of Parliament (now a branch of the Bank of Ireland). The campus occupies 47 acres (190,000 m²), with many attractive buildings, both old and new, centred around large courts and two playing fields.
The Book of Kells is one of the more lavishly illuminated manuscripts to survive the mediaeval period. It contains the four gospels of the Bible in Latin, and today it is on permanent display at the Trinity College Library in Dublin.
Arthur Guinness started brewing ales initially in Leixlip, then at the St. James's Gate Brewery, Dublin, Ireland from 1759. He signed a 9,000 year lease at £45 per annum for the unused brewery. Ten years later in 1769 Guinness exported their product for the first time, when six and a half barrels were shipped to England.
Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin is the elder of the city's two mediæval cathedrals, the other being St. Patrick's.The cathedral was built by the Vikings at their original settlement at Wood Quay.
The Cathedral famously purported contains the tomb of Strongbow, a mediæval Welsh peer and warlord who came to Ireland at the request of King Diarmuid MacMorrough and whose arrival marked the beginning of English involvement in Ireland
Tara
Experts estimate the construction of the Mound of the Hostages Passage Tomb to be between 2500 B.C. and 3000 B.C. The tomb, 4m in length and 1m wide, was subdivided by transverse sillstones into three compartments each containing the cremated remains of the dead.
Newgrange
The Boyne Valley Cairns of Newgrange has been designated World Heritage Sites by UNESCO and attract 200,000 visitors per year.
Built by Neolithic communities about 5000 years ago, the Passage Tomb Monuments have clear Astronomical Alignments such as the Winter Solstice Sunrise.
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Kilkenny Castle
The first structure on this strategic site overlooking the River Nore was a wooden tower built in 1172 by the Anglo-Norman conqueror of Ireland, Richard de Clare. Twenty years later his son in law William Marshall erected a stone castle with four towers, three of which are part of the current structure.
The castle was bought by the powerful Butler family in 1391, and their descendents continued to live there until 1935. Maintaining the castle became such an enormous expense and most of the furnishings were sold at an auction. The city bought the castle in 1967. |
The Wicklow Mountains
The rugged, heather-clad Wicklow Mountains, a refuge for Irish rebels in the past, are a popular subject for artists. The county's interesting ruins and many deep glens, which are noted for their beauty, attract many tourists. |
Northern Ireland
Enjoying new growth after the creation Good Friday Peace Agreement, Northern Ireland's many treasures include The Giant's Causeway on the north Antrim Coast, the sweeping Mourne Mountains in County Down and Slemish Mountain, home to the Patron Saint of Ireland (St. Patrick) for part of his life. |
The Ring of Kerry
One hundred miles of unspoilt scenic beauty. This breathtaking landscape will undoubtedly be one of your most memorable experiences. |
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Blarney
Situated in Cork in the south of Ireland, Blarney is home of the famous Blarney stone. Legend has it that if you kiss the Blarney stone you will obtain the "gift of the gab" (you will never be stuck for words).
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Clonmacnoise
Clonmacnoise is an ancient ecclesiastical site, situated south of Athlone, County Westmeath, near the centre of Ireland. Its location contributed to its development as a major centre of religion, learning, trade, craftsmanship and political influence. Clonmacnoise has a large collection of grave-slabs dating from the 8th to the 12th century, as well as one of Ireland's finest surviving High Crosses. |
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The Burren
The Burren is a karst limestone region of approximately 300 sq km which lies in the North West corner of Co. Clare in the west of Ireland. It is composed of limestone pavements, which are eroded in a distinctive pattern known as karren. This pavement is crisscrossed by cracks known as grykes and underneath the pavement there are huge caves and rivers that suddenly flood when it rains. You can find villages abandoned from famine times and green roads on which you can walk for miles without ever seeing a car |
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Glendalough
Glendalough is a monastic site that was founded by St. Kevin in the sixth century. The Gateway arches lead you into the site where you will find the often-photographed Round Tower, remains of several churches and cathedrals, and old gravestones. |
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Connemara
From the rugged Twelve Bens mountain range in the north through lake-rich Roundstone Bog to the golden beaches reaching out into the Atlantic Ocean, you'll know you're in Connemara by the light that constantly changes the mood and tone of the landscape
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