Dublin

While Dublin City gets all the attention, Dublin County is a brilliant spot with beautiful stretches of sea, atmospheric pubs, a shed load of activities and top cultural attractions. It is the third smallest county in Ireland, yet it is home to a third of the country's population. Popular attractions include the Ardgillan Victorian Garden and the 'Dublin Bay Sea Thrill' at Dun Laoghaire - an exhilarating ride on life rafts. Malahide Castle, with its lovely parkland and collection of paintings, is also well worth a visit. The region is also a great location for horse riding and golf, with one of the world's best courses at Portmarnock.
As capital of the Republic of Ireland, Dublin City offers all you could want for a city break with history, culture and a flourishing restaurant and bar industry, with countless new pubs and eating avenues opening all the time. The city has become a stylish and multi-ethnic destination, with its splendid Georgian architecture and prosperous economy. Some of the historic and traditional places in Dublin City are Saint Patrick's Cathedral as the centre of Protestant faith in the country and the University of Dublin and the Bank of Ireland building in the old section of town. Dublin is also an important seaport, situated at the mouth of River Liffey, on Dublin Bay. Dublin city is joined through ship services with places like Cork, Belfast and various ports in England, Scotland, and France.