The Irish capital Dublin is a lively, charming and historical city, with excellent bars, impressive architecture and a laidback charm.

Both Dublin and Ireland witnessed a rapid economic boom throughout the 1990s and the city has grown as a result, developing into a cosmopolitan city with a distinct identity on the world stage.

The River Liffey runs through the heart of Dublin and, weather permitting, it is possible to stroll along the banks, lined with shops and bars. The city has some impressive art galleries, a national museum and Trinity College, the 400-year-old university in the centre of Dublin, which houses the Book of Kells. Dublin Castle, Christ Church and St Patrick's Cathedrals are impressive buildings both inside and out, forming a key part of Dublin's rich past.

Walking around Dublin, visitors will be struck by the impressive Georgian architecture and charming parks and squares. The largest green space in the city centre is St Stephen's Green, providing a delightful rest stop for summer visitors.

Renowned for its literary heritage, Dublin has numerous statues dedicated to famous writers. Literature fans can choose from the literary pub crawl, the Dublin Writers' Museum or visiting the many haunts mentioned throughout James Joyce's eponymous novel Ulysses.

The Dublin drinking scene is famous, from upscale cocktail bars to crowded, basic pubs. Two popular locations on the tourist trail are the Guinness Brewery and the Jameson's Distillery, both of which offer witty tours and the chance to sample the product.

The Temple Bar area of the city is where most tourists head first, with its Irish-themed pubs, traditional food and music. However, there is a lot to Dublin drinking beyond the main tourist strip and it is worth exploring further afield, particularly for the best pubs, which tend to be tucked away down side streets.

Dublin also has a vibrant music scene, with a range of options on offer, from traditional bands in pubs to rock and folk gigs and classical concerts. For a city of just 1,120,000, Dublin has a large number of theatres programming Irish plays, international productions and experimental work, along with an excellent annual theatre festival.

Due to the economic boom, Dublin now has some excellent restaurants and visitors can choose from traditional Irish fayre, such as stew and oysters, fine dining and a dizzying array of world cuisine, from Mexican to Mongolian. The cost of living has risen fast and prices are reflective of the city's new found wealth.

Accommodation in Dublin can be expensive and the city has some excellent, but pricey hotels. There are also a number of clean and lively youth hostels and smaller guest houses situated on the outskirts. Dublin provides plenty of opportunities for shopping, particularly along the main thoroughfares of Grafton Street and O'Connell Street

Perched by the sea on the east side of the country, Dublin can be reached by port or by plane and there are plenty of cheap deals and budget flights now available.

Near to the city itself are the picturesque and dreamy Wicklow Mountains, with day trips available to the mystical monastic settlement of Glendalough, and Dublin Bay, with a number of seaside towns along the coast, including Howth to the north and upmarket Killiney to the south.