Dublin

Dublin lies on Ireland's east coast, at the mouth of the River Liffey, which runs west to east through the city and divides it into Northside and Southside. Founded by the Vikings in the 9th century and taken by the Normans in the 12th, it was for 700 years the centre of English rule on the island, until independence in 1922. Today it is the capital of the Republic of Ireland and the city where most international flights to the country arrive.

The historic centre is best explored on foot. South of the river are Trinity College, with the Book of Kells and the Long Room of the old library, Dublin Castle, the cathedrals of Christ Church and São Patrício, the Temple Bar neighbourhood, the pedestrian Grafton Street and St Stephen's Green, a park surrounded by Georgian houses with colourful doors. On Kildare Street, the National Museum holds Bronze Age gold and the bodies preserved in the peat bogs. To the west, the Guinness Storehouse occupies an old brewery warehouse at St James's Gate, and Kilmainham Gaol tells the story of the struggle for independence.

Along the Liffey on the north side, the old dock warehouses have become offices and museums, such as EPIC, about Irish emigration. The suburban DART train follows the bay and takes you to the fishing port of Howth in half an hour, with cliff-top walking trails. To the south, about 50 km away, the Glendalough valley in the Wicklow Mountains preserves a 6th-century monastery between two lakes and is the most popular day trip from the capital.

Rain can fall in any month, so a lightweight raincoat is part of the luggage year-round.

This destination brings together 1 city: Dublin.