ABOUT DUBLIN

Dublin is the capital of Ireland. The name for Dublin in the Irish language is both Dubh Linn and Baile Átha Cliath. Átha Cliath means "Ford of the Reed Hurdles", while Dubh Linn, the name given to it by the Vikings, means "Black Pool". Both names are derived from the Old Irish Gaelic. Dublin covers an area of 115.25 square km.  Half of the city’s residents are estimated to be under 25 years old. As an interesting fact, Ireland's oldest restaurant is located in Dublin. Its name is the Brazen Head and there's been a pub on that site since 1198.

The Norse Vikings founded Dublin in the 9th century. They brought trade, commerce and currency. They built Ireland's first church where the Christ Church Cathedral now stands. King Henry 11 took control in 1172 with the help of Dermot McMurrough, the King of Leinster. In the 17th century Dublin grew as a trading centre and in the 18th century its fine architecural buildings grew in number. Following the effects of a great famine, the city became known as the second city of the British Empire. In 1916, the War of Independence and civil war of the 1920's took place. Nowadays you can find top designers, world renowned entertainers, luxury hotels, and a superb choice of restaurants and pubs in this city. Famous writers from Dublin include Jonathann Swift, George Bernard Shaw, James Joyce, Oscar Wilde and Bram Stoker.

Dublin is a very rainy city but it isn't very cold. Temperatures are very mild in comparison with other cities of Europe. Dublin has a very changeable weather. In the same day you can see a storm and hours later you can be extremely hot with a shining sun. The average precipitation in Dublin is around 700/800 mm, and the average temperature during all the year is between 5ºC (in the first months) and 18ºC (during May and June).

Most people who travel to Dublin find some curiosities about the city. For instance, people are very helpful (if you get lost, someone may help you), and they are very respectful with traffic. And most of the doors of the houses in Dublin are painted with bright colors, something you can’t see in many places. There are many wonderful places to visit like Dublin Castle, O'Connell Street, Dublin’s main street, or Leinster House: the national parliament of Ireland, a huge rock building where the National Library, the National museum and the History museum were built, during the 19th century.