Dublin introductions

History

Dublin was founded by Norse Vikings, mainly Danish, in the 9th and 10th C. They built the first Dublin Castle. The Iri the Vikings in 988 and founded the first Christ Church in 1038. Viking influence continued in Dublin until sh took Dublin from the Vikings in 988 and founded the first Christ Church in 1038. Viking influence continued in Dublin until th by the English in the 12th C., who invaded Ireland several times and held sway in Dublin for most of the time.

English rule was generally savage. Natural catastrophes added to the misery, leading many Irishmen to flee for America. A decisive victory over the English was won in 1921 when all the Irish counties, except six in the northeast, became independent. After a civil war the Irish Free State was founded in 1923 with Dublin as its capital.

Life

The friendly and courteous Irish are a dream come true for travelers. They are helpful and fair in business, as is evident in tourism. It is the easiest and the most relaxed country for travelers. Dubliners share these traits more or less.

The pubs are the social centers of the city. Strangers meet there and almost immediately become friends. Travelers will not be lonely there as the locals are always ready for a chat with strangers. Visitors get smitten by this easy-going atmosphere and gradually start to behave and to think like the local people do.

The city is small, has only half a million inhabitants and the city center covers less than 2 km in radius from College Green. The center is mainly on the southern bank of Liffey, around on Dublin castle, the pedestrian Grafton Street and St Stephens Green. This is the oldest part of the city and the most beautiful part. The houses are low and the atmosphere is relaxed.

Pubs

Hours: Monday-Saturday 10:30-23:30, Sunday 12:30-14 & 16-23:30, -23 in winter.

Irish pubs are justly world famous for their easy going and friendly bartenders and customers. Each tavern has its own atmosphere made of its furnishings and clientele.

The pubs are the social centers of Dublin. Strangers meet there and almost immediately become friends. Travelers will not be lonely there as the locals are always ready for a chat with strangers. Visitors get smitten by this easy-going atmosphere and gradually start to behave and to think like the local people do.

The Irish

The friendly and courteous Irish are a dream come true for travelers. They are helpful and fair in business, as is evident in tourism. It is the easiest and the most relaxed country for travelers. Dubliners share these traits more or less.

Embassies

Canada

65 St Stephens Green, 2. Phone: 678 1988.

United Kingdom

31 Merrion Road, 4. Phone: 269 5211.

United States

42 Elgin Road, 4. Phone: 668 8777.

Accident

Phone: 999.

Ambulance

Phone: 999.

Complaints

Try Bord Faílte, 14 Upper OConnell Street, tel. 874 7733.

Dentist

Lincoln Place. Phone: 679 4311.

Dublin Dental Hospital, Lincoln Place, Dublin 2, tel. 679 4311, open 9-11 and 14-16.

Fire

Phone: 999.

Hospital

Phone: 999.

Medical care

Phone: 999.

Pharmacy

Open at normal shopping hours. Closed pharmacies have signs in their windows to point out where there is night duty.

Police

Phone: 999.

Precautions

Ireland is a haven for travelers. There is very little petty crime and almost no violent crime in Ireland. The Irish are also unusually honest people. Businessmen try to give you the best deal available. But there are lots of beggars in central Dublin.

Banks

Hours: Monday-Friday 10-12:30 & 13:30-15.

Some banks are open until 17:00 on Friday and are open at lunchtime. At the airport a bank is open 6:45-22 in summer and 6:45-21 in winter.

Credit cards

Most hotels and restaurants, petrol stations and shops accept credit cards, but pubs and farmhouse accommodations do not.

Electricity

Irish voltage is 220V, same as in Europe. The plugs are different, with three pins as in Britain.

Hotels

Dublin hotels are generally rather clean and well maintained. Small hotels, are numerous and can be very good, even if they do not have TV sets in guest rooms. A bathroom is taken for granted nowadays.

We only include hotels with private bathrooms, and in most cases we also demand a direct telephone line, working air-condition, and peace and silence during the night. Only hotels in the city center are included as we want to avoid long journeys between sightseeing and our afternoon naps.

The price ranges from £57 to £170, in most cases including a substantial breakfast.

We personally tested all the hotels in this database during the winter of 1995-1996 as everything is fickle in this world. We also tested some other hotels that are not included as they were not on par with the best in each price category.

Money

The currency in Ireland is the Irish Punt, £, divided into 100 pence. There are £100, £50, £20, £10 and £5 notes and coins for £1, 50p, 10p, 5p, 2p and 1p.

Prices

Prices have lately become stable in Ireland.

Restaurants

Irelands wealth of agricultural resources is not reflected well enough in its restaurants. They are generally mediocre. The best ones tend to be French. Asian ethnic restaurants are often a good bet.

Shopping

Hours: Monday-Saturday 9/9:30-17:30/18.

Some shops are open Thursday to 20:00.

Tipping

Service is generally included in hotel and restaurant bills. Porters get £0,50-1 per bag, hairdressers, taxi drivers and guides get 10%.

Toilets

Restaurant lavatories are generally good. In pubs they are variable, but open for all comers.

Tourist office

14 Upper OConnell Street. Phone: 874 7733.

The Irish National Tourist Board, Bord Fáilte.

Water

Tap water is quite drinkable.

Accommodation

Take up direct contact with the hotels before you leave from home. Use the phone or the fax.

Airport

The Dublin airport is 11 km from the center. A bus goes there every 20 minutes 7:30-20:50 and takes 30 minutes to get there. The price is £2.50. A taxi will also be 30 minutes and costs £12. For information on arrivals and departures dial 37 9900.

News

The Irish newspapers are in English, such as Irish Times, Irish Independent and Irish Press. The British dailies are widely available. A biweekly information magazine for travelers is In Dublin.

Phone

The Irish country code is 353. The local code for Dublin is 1 when dialing from abroad and 01 when dialing from outside Dublin in Ireland. The foreign code from Ireland is 00. Northern Ireland has the British country code of 44.

Post

OConnell Street.

The main Post Office at OConnell Street is open Monday-Saturday 9-20 and Sunday 10:30-18.

Taxis

Taxis are available at several stands in the city center.

Traffic

The most practical way to get around in central Dublin is by walking.

Traffic in Dublin is heavy and almost comes to a standstill at rush hours. Outside of Dublin traffic is generally light. The Irish drive on the left like the British, so you have be careful to look in the right direction.

Dont use cycles on narrow country roads as many drivers speed blindly through bends.

Cuisine

Dublin is not a place for any recognizable Irish cooking. Most quality restaurants in Dublin go in for French cuisine. The Irish have embraced French cuisine as suitable for their upper class dining.

1996

© Jónas Kristjánsson