Cruise into Dublin and your ship will bring you to a city that is fun, lively and full of colour. The Irish capital's legendary sense of humour combines with a rich tapestry of heritage and culture that appeals to all. This vibrant and attractive city on the River Liffey is full of atmospheric pubs where the ‘craic' is spun with a well-polished finish, and the streets echo with the ghosts of artistic luminaries such as James Joyce and W B Yeats. Visit at any time of year - the numerous festivals, cultural and religious events and sporting fixtures keep Dublin buzzing whatever the season.

The capital city of Ireland is spread over the broad valley of the River Liffey around Dublin Bay in a great sweep of coast from the rocky brow of Howth in the north to the headland of Dalkey in the south, and sheltered by the Wicklow Hills. In addition to its imposing public buildings, Dublin is especially rich in 18th-century architecture, with many fine Georgian mansions, wide streets and spacious squares.

Highlights
• The National Gallery
• The National Museum
• Dublin Civic Museum
• Municipal Gallery of Modern Art
• National Library of Ireland
• Royal Irish Academy Library
• Trinity College
• Dublin Castle
• Christ Church Cathedral

Dublin Tourism Centre
Suffolk Street, Dublin, Ireland
Tel: +353 1605 7700.
Website: www.visitdublin.com

Special purchases include hand-woven tweed, hand-crocheted woollens and cottons, sheepskin goods, gold and silver jewellery, Aran knitwear, linen, pottery, Irish crystal and basketry. Ireland is also renowned for its food - regional cheeses are a particularly good buy. Explore the many specialist shops of Temple Bar and Grafton Street for antiques and fashion.

Dublin offers a vast array of restaurants and pubs offering everything from traditional Irish fare such as bacon and cabbage to Michelin-starred international cuisine. Every pocket is catered for. Seafood is a major attraction - Dublin Bay prawns or oysters with Guinness are a must, as are traditional soda bread, and the rich meat and fish produce of Ireland's farmlands, rivers and lakes.

The temperate climate is due to mild southwesterly winds and the Gulf Stream. Summers are warm, while temperatures during winter are much cooler. Spring and autumn are very mild. Rain falls all year.

Ireland

GMT.

Euro (€) = 100 cents.

English and Irish Gaelic.

East coast of Ireland.

1.2 million.

Parliamentary republic.

The vast majority are Roman Catholic with the remainder being Protestant, with Jewish and Islamic minorities.

The Irish are an affable, easy-going people, always eager to engage friends and strangers alike in chat that is liberally dosed with humour and gentle irreverence. Dubliners are friendly, quick to laugh, and have an engaging sense of self-irony - they appreciate similar traits in visitors.

Tipping: The customary tip in Ireland is 10 to 12%. Many hotels and restaurants add this in the form of a service charge indicated on the menu or bill. It is not customary to tip in bars unless you have table service when a small tip is advised.