I R E L A N D
D U B L I N
O V E R V I E W
Built on the banks of the River Liffey and shaped by centuries of stories, Dublin is a city of curiosity and conversation.
It’s a capital with the heart of a village — where Georgian townhouses line cobbled lanes, voices spill from pubs in poetic cadence, and the weather can change five times in the same afternoon.
Founded by Vikings and shaped by centuries of Anglo-Irish history, Dublin today is a spirited place of dualities: history and modernity, literary elegance and lived-in warmth, old loyalties and new ideas.
What makes it special isn’t just the architecture or the museums — it’s the rhythm of daily life, the ease with which strangers become friends, and the way the past is never quite out of sight.
Here's what we think should form the core of your experience:
Literary Streets, Georgian Grace & Dublin’s Historical Identity
Dublin’s role in shaping the English-speaking literary canon is difficult to overstate.
The city gave the world James Joyce, W.B. Yeats, Samuel Beckett, and Seamus Heaney — and their presence is still very much felt. Wander through Trinity College to see the Long Room of its 18th-century library, home to the Book of Kells and one of the great cathedral-like spaces in world literature.
Pause in Merrion Square to visit the Oscar Wilde statue and muse on his wit. Or explore the Museum of Literature Ireland, which captures the spirit of Dublin’s literary legacy in a more modern, interactive voice.
The city’s Georgian era left behind sweeping terraces, ironwork balconies, and elegant parks like St. Stephen’s Green and Fitzwilliam Square.
There is still a quiet dignity to these streets — an architecture of restraint and refinement — especially when seen in early morning light or during the soft drizzle that Dublin wears so well.
Dublin Pubs, Music & Local Character
Pubs here aren’t just for drinking — they’re the city’s front parlour. Step into any of Dublin’s older establishments and you’ll find dark wood, stained glass, and polished brass taps. But more than that, you’ll find the centre of conversation, storytelling, and music. These are cultural institutions.
Traditional Irish music sessions happen spontaneously in certain spots, with fiddles, bodhráns, and banjos traded back and forth as the night wears on. Dubliners love to talk — not just chat, but talk, in the proper sense — and there is no better way to understand the soul of the city than through a long night of stories, songs, and pints.
In Temple Bar and beyond, the city’s social fabric shows itself not just in its liveliness but in its ability to make room for everyone.
Students, pensioners, artists, entrepreneurs — all seem to belong in the same room, at the same time.
Cuisine, Markets & Irish Craft
Dublin has long outgrown the outdated clichés of Irish food. Today, the city’s culinary scene is inventive, confident, and distinctly local. There’s a strong emphasis on seasonal Irish produce — from Carlingford oysters and Wexford strawberries to wild venison and soda bread made with Guinness.
Stroll through Moore Street for its historic market feel, or head to the more contemporary food halls and cafés around George’s Street and Drury Street, where chefs are giving Irish ingredients a fresh voice.
Try a full Irish breakfast in the morning, fresh seafood in the afternoon, and something more elegant and modern in the evening — often with local cheese and whiskey to finish.
Beyond food, Dublin is full of small workshops, design studios, and craft stores where you’ll find Irish wool, linen, leather, and contemporary ceramics — a quieter expression of national pride and heritage.
Whether you come to trace your ancestry, dive into the pub culture, or simply walk the city’s storied streets, Dublin has a way of welcoming you in and making you feel like you’ve always belonged.
Check the members-only section for private itinerary ideas and ways to experience the city with one of our expert local guides.