Dublin

Dublin has always been a center for the arts, a city of actors, dancers, painters, and especially writers, but today it's also a busy commercial center. For a decade Ireland's economy strengthened so much that for the first time in Ireland's modern history the young began staying to work and immigrants came from elsewhere looking for a better life. That changed with the worldwide recession in 2008 and the country is still working through the challenges of the downturn. The city buzzes with activity during the summer months, when young people from all over Europe arrive to keep the clubs and pubs busy. Any night of the week bands play live ...

Dublin has always been a center for the arts, a city of actors, dancers, painters, and especially writers, but today it's also a busy commercial center. For a decade Ireland's economy strengthened so much that for the first time in Ireland's modern history the young began staying to work and immigrants came from elsewhere looking for a better life. That changed with the worldwide recession in 2008 and the country is still working through the challenges of the downturn. The city buzzes with activity during the summer months, when young people from all over Europe arrive to keep the clubs and pubs busy. Any night of the week bands play live music at many venues, and sitting in for a session of traditional Irish music is a fine way to spend the evening. The River Liffey splits Dublin in half and is spanned by the pedestrian Ha'Penny Bridge, a crossing everyone should make. The working-class north side has a busy marketplace and the south side is more affluent. Stephen's Green, at the top of Grafton Street, provides a lush, quiet place to stroll. For seaside walks, go to Howth and Dún Laoghaire.

About the Expert

Larry Habegger is Triporati's editor-in-chief and executive editor of Travelers' Tales, where he has edited or coedited dozens of books including Travelers' Tales Australia and Ireland.