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dublin stands resolutely on ireland's
east coast at the mouth of the river
liffey although it is home to more than
a third of the population ireland's
dynamic capital city retains a lyrical
village magic and a playfulness few
other cities can match
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despite a long and sometimes tragic
history of invasion and resistance this
thriving business capital has poetry
music and literature percolating through
its cobblestones
dublin's ancient streets are compact
enough to explore on foot or by bicycle
the river liffey separates the city into
two neat halves it is crisscrossed with
historic bridges many of which are
tributes to dublin's finest moments and
heroes
dubliner oscar wilde once said life is
too important to be taken seriously
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while dublin proudly honors its past it
is equally passionate about enjoying
each and every new day
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nowhere is life celebrated more than in
the city's nearly 700 pubs
nothing matters more to dubliners than
having a good time or as the locals call
it the crack
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pubs and music are at the very heart of
dublin's traditions and society
just south of the river is the temple
bar area where locals and tourists have
been meeting for generations
this is the place to find art galleries
and colorful shops and immerse yourself
in the spirited and often improvised
traditional folk music irish immigrants
have taken their music all around the
world but there is nothing like hearing
it played live
entertainment is also important a little
further south on grafton street a lively
shopping precinct known for its buskers
and proud to be a launch pad for many
international musical acts
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at the other end of the spectrum and a
little further to the east is the
architecturally spectacular aviva
stadium
time your visit to catch an
international superstar here
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of course any local will tell you that
music and a pint glass go hand in hand
the history of guinness one of ireland's
most famous institutions is on display
at the guinness storehouse
also known as the black stuff black
custard and irish champagne this world
famous tipple is said to have been born
in the 18th century when water from the
liffey became too polluted to safely
drink the brewing process removed the
germs and also provided sorely needed
nutrition
today the river is cleaner but
dubliner's thirst for guinness has
remained undiminished
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the picturesque grand canal was built
around this time connecting dublin to
the west of ireland allowing guinness to
be exported marking the beginning of one
of dublin's great success stories
visit the old jemisin distillery and
discover the magic of how three simple
ingredients are transformed into a
smooth whiskey that is enjoyed all over
the world
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but of all the gifts dublin has given to
the world perhaps the most intoxicating
are its stories
originally built for the sons of the
irish gentry the stone buildings of
trinity college are home to some of the
oldest remaining manuscripts in the
world
including the 1 000 year old book of
kells
[Applause]
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this ancient manuscript is only a small
part of dublin's literary history
this city is famous for its authors
playwrights and poets and tributes are
dotted all over the city
visit the flamboyant statue of oscar
wilde decorated with precious stones
that reflect his love of beauty
or pay your respects to james joyce one
of dublin's literary giants
there are more tributes to the past just
a stroll away in saint stephen's green
which holds a special place in the heart
of dubliners
while today it is an oasis of calm in
the center of the city the park has
witnessed many turbulent episodes of
irish history
during the 1916 easter rising a pivotal
battle took place here which reignited
the long and passionate fight for irish
independence from english rule
the ghosts of ireland's battle for
independence also feel very real at the
kilmainham jail
in which many of the rebellion leaders
were brutally executed
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right at the center of dublin's historic
heart is dublin castle
originally built on a viking site it has
been a prison a fortress and a treasury
from within these stone walls the
english administered irish rule for more
than 700 years
famously the irish crown jewels were
stolen from the castle in 1907 and their
whereabouts remain a mystery to this day
the national museum of ireland
archaeology on kildare street showcases
other early treasures which illuminate
dublin's history throughout the ages
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a little further from the center of town
is phoenix park one of the largest wall
parks in europe
visit the wellington monument a tribute
to the first duke of wellington a
dubliner known as the iron duke who
defeated napoleon at the battle of
waterloo
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of all dublin's heroes perhaps none are
as important as st patrick who is
credited with many miracles including
converting ireland to christianity
the site of saint patrick's cathedral is
said to be where he first baptized the
pagan chieftains and altered irish
history
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the nearby christ church cathedral was
founded almost 1 000 years ago and has
borne witness to the lives of warriors
kings and saints
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dubliner jonathan swift once said may
you live all the days of your life
there is no better way to define dublin
its passion for life is contagious
captivating and sure to stay with you
the rest of your days
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you