NEIGHBOURHOODS

At first glance, Dublin might strike you as a tad unprepossessing. It’s not as arrogantly chic as Paris, as jaw-droppingly majestic as Rome, as dementedly vibrant as New York, as achingly cool as Sydney, Barcelona or Berlin, as drop-dead gorgeous as Florence and Buenos Aires, or as bonkers as Hong Kong.

What we have in spades is soul. No other city on the planet combines scabrous wit, catty putdowns and genuine warmth to quite the same degree - and often in the same sentence.

The past few years may have seen the Irish economy taking a pants-down thrashing. However, 'Dubs' have coped in time-honoured fashion: with plenty of gallows humour and copious pints of Guinness. If The Black Stuff isn't your favoured tipple, wander into the world-renowned Old Jameson Distillery to sample the indigenous firewater. Or follow in the footsteps of writers Brendan Behan and Flann O'Brien on a literary pub crawl.

Dubliners take a special pride in their city, even when explaining at length what’s wrong with it. And they’re not backward about coming forward when discussing what’s right with it, either: looking for the best pint, the finest museum, the hippest gallery, the funkiest dive in town? Just ask…you’ll get plenty of opinions.

With over 1.5 million inhabitants, the city’s colourful character is reflected in a smorgasbord of distinctive neighbourhoods. The River Liffey basically bisects the city into the ‘posh’ Southside and the ‘real Dublin’ Northside - with each area providing surprises aplenty, even for natives.

Check out the Phoenix Park, one of the largest of its kind in Europe. Its spacious grounds house Aras an Uachtarain - the official residence of the Irish president - as well as cricket pitches, Dublin Zoo, a herd of brazen fallow deer, the Wellington Monument (the largest obelisk in Europe, no less) and the Papal Cross, erected at the spot where Pope John Paul II addressed the huddled adoring masses back in 1979.

Or head into Temple Bar’s cobbled streets - where myriad traditional pubs, music venues, twee souvenir shops, watering holes and eateries provide a lively day-into-night scene. Apart from the very popular slew of tourist-focused delights, the area is also where many cultural institutions are based: the Irish Photography Centre, Irish Film Institute, Temple Bar Music Centre, and Gaiety School of Acting to name just a few.

And if you’re the rugged outdoorsy type, the Dublin Mountains are just 30 minutes away. There are a series of treks, hikes, and walks for the more adventurous amongst you while the sane folk wait in Johnnie Fox’s pub - the ‘highest bar in Ireland’, apparently.

That’s the thing about this city - there’s something for everyone. History buff? You’ll be in hog heaven. You’ve a thing for ancient buildings? Well, strap yourself in. Museums, theatres and art galleries? Consider your boat just floated. Party animal? You ain’t seen nothing yet.

From the wildest whirlwind holiday to the laziest long-weekend break - the options are endless, the welcome is warm, the hospitality is second-to-none, the craic is neverending. Take your image of the ideal city destination - now double the quirky unpredictability, add a dash of laid-back sophistication, a large pinch of black humour, and a healthy measure of irresistible charm - and you're here.

food + drink

Dublin's food scene has evolved from a landscape of largely uninspired carveries and basic pub grub.

These days, it's a culinary free-for-all and there's something to tickle even the most jaded palate.

Sure you can still find places to enjoy a traditional bacon and cabbage slap-up, or a bowl of old-style Dublin coddle (a stew with bacon and sausages) - and many pubs do great grub.

However the boom years of the mid to late nineties saw a menu explosion across Ireland in general (and Dublin in particular), as nationalities from all over the globe arrived to enjoy the good times. And while the last few years have been tough, it means that those eateries that have managed to survive have done so for a reason.

THINGS TO DO

If you like to keep busy, Dublin is tailor-made with a staggering quantity and variety of options.

From nocturnal pub crawling (for educational purposes) to high-adrenaline outdoor activities to fun family-friendly pursuits, choices abound. You might start with the capital's supremo tourist attraction, the Guinness Storehouse. Most people do.

In compact Dublin, you can easily cover a lot of ground on your own. Prefer being under the watchful eye of a knowledgeable guide? There are tons of tours - walking, traveling by bicycle or bus, amphibious vehicle or horse-drawn cart…or even by boat or kayak.

However you choose to get about, you can also experience the true spirit of traditional Irish culture and history through architecture, dance, storytelling, music, theatre, museums and galleries.

Then there's the events: whenever you visit Dublin, we guarantee that there will always be something going on.

Whatever your tastes or budget, you'll find exhibitions, live gigs aplenty, comedy by the best of the best, festivals (culture, arts, food, film - you name it), and markets galore.

Then there's the sporting events, theatre productions and seasonal offerings as well. Don't know where to start? Let us help!