Small
Small
in size but big in character, Dublin has creativity in
spades - as evidenced by its prolific scribes, tech-heads and
imaginative artists past and present. Today, the city's hunger for
originality explodes not just as rich cultural pickings but also in
an innovative entrepreneurial scene, a double-headed allure that's
seen the city's population swell as techies and creatives decamp to
the Liffey's banks.
The popular European city-break destination has long pulled in
visitors enamoured by its well-stocked bars and welcoming
inhabitants. Its success has bred the Guinness Storehouse, the stag
dos and the shamrock-dressed frivolity, but we'd venture that one
has to dig deeper to discover the city's true character.
Pass through the capital's contemporary and historical centre,
eyeing up Dublin-Georgian architectural elegance as you venture
down towards the river, and you'll encounter Liffey-side addresses
- from fringe theatres to quirky cafés - that offer an alternative
view of the Irish capital. In recent years, the restaurant scene
has had something of a homegrown renaissance, picking up on the
creativity that ripples across this buoyant city, as well as the
warm hospitality of its much-loved pubs, to carve out a distinctly
European ethos, found in cafés, bistros and fine-dining joints
across its quarters. Likewise, many of the city's plethora of
independent bookstores and independent shops sit away from the
arterial thoroughfares. This is a walkable city, best explored on
foot, allowing you to dip into side streets with ease, discovering
all its quirks.
Portrait of a city: a complete guide to Dublin, Ireland
