Dublin certainly has no shortage of history, and visitors to the city will find it has plenty to offer those wanting to explore the tales of the city's past.
A centre of learning, Trinity College and its 40 acre site retains much of its ancient seclusion, and the squares, gardens, and parks are a tranquil hideaway compared to the hustle and bustle of the streets outside. The campus is home to a unique collection of buildings dating from the 17th to the 20th centuries and the college is famed for a unique collection of treasures, such as the Book of Kells; a 9th century Latin text of the four gospels, richly decorated by Irish monks around the year 800 AD, and the greatest Irish work of art to survive from the middle ages. The college also has on display an early Irish harp and impressive library, housing over 200,000 of Trinity's oldest books.
The National Museum of Ireland is the nation's premier cultural institution, and has a strong emphasis on Ireland's art, material and natural history with approximately ten thousand animals on display, which have been drawn from the museum's collection of over two million specimens. The museum also has a wide range of objects which include weaponry, furniture, coins, ceramics and glassware, as well as examples of folk life and costume. The current exhibitions include one of the largest collections of Irish artefacts in the world: 'The Way We Wore' - 250 years of Irish clothing, and Neo-Celtic Art, which illustrates the development and art style that was inspired by early-Christian Ireland.
Guinness may not be as old as some of the other historic attractions, but its comparative youth belies the massive impact that the Irish stout has had on the world. The famous black beer with its distinctive creamy head first came to life in 1759; it's now produced all around the world at a rate of 10 million glasses per day, and is Ireland's most famous export. The Guinness Hop Store, a converted 19th century building, now houses the "World of Guinness Exhibition", an audio visual show on the history of Guinness in Ireland.
When it comes to accommodation, you'll have little difficultly finding a Dublin airport hotel, while the city centre is home to a great selection of accommodation, from classic Georgian establishments, to cheap and cheerful hostels.
So, why not make a trip to the Emerald Isle's capital to explore its great history? And when you're done looking at some of Dublin's most impressive historical attractions, don't forget to indulge in the country's greatest beverage - Guinness.
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