Bubblin' in Dublin

There are too many activites in Dublin to cover here, but I'll definately suggest checking out Temple Bar for pubs, Grafton St. for shopping, and Trinity College which is home to the mysterious Book of Kells. There are also many communities to the north and south of Dublin that make for great day trips while there. Most definately get to Dun-Laoghaire, a small port town just south of Dublin. And further south is Bray, a beach area with tons of slot machine amusements and nice dining. And if you have the time, take the DART north of Dublin to Howth.

Quick Tips:

I think whatever you do in Dublin, you'll have a great and memorable time. Besides all the sightseeing and excellent dining, the overall aesthetics of the city and the multi-tone green countrysides still come to mind.

Best Way To Get Around:

Most times, walking is the most efficient way to get around Dublin. Other than that, you can use the DART train to commute to other cities and areas of Dublin south and north. I lived in Dun-Laoghaire, approximately 7 miles south of Dublin and could take the train to city center in about 20 minutes.

"Toscana specialises in authentic Tuscan and Mediterranean dishes. We stock an extensive selection of fine wines from Italy and other choice regions from around the world. We are located in Temple Bar, in the very heart of Dublin, as well as on the sea front in Dun Laoghaire with spectacular views of Dublin bay. Toscana has a unique Italian atmosphere with an emphasis on excellent food, friendliness and service. If you want to combine the best of Italian food with a relaxed atmosphere then a visit to Toscana is a must."

I dined at the Toscana probably 15 times during a three-month stay in Ireland. Its located approximately 7 miles south of Dublin in the town of Dun-Laoghaire. Toscana is a small Italian restaurant with a nice menu that is also kid friendly. If you can, get reservations for upstairs because there is a huge bay window with a great view of the Irish Sea. Also, a great place for a romantic dinner with wine and candlelight.

Vegetarian options, children's menu, private function room, take-away available, group bookings welcome.

The Stone Wall is nice bistro owned and operated by a friend of mine, Vincient Hart. Not only is the food and service excellent, but the atmosphere is AWESOME. Decorated with modern art, and "neato" lights (you'll have to eat there to see what I'm talking about). There's only room inside for approximately 30 people, so for a late meal, definitely make reservations.

Bewley's, a three-story landmark on Grafton Street, has been around forever (more specifically, since 1840) and is so ingrained in the Irish identity that you have to wonder whether people go out of habit rather than desire. Not that the place isn't busy. It's always bustling with the clink of teapots and hum of customers, but the atmosphere is somehow listless rather than buzzy. The interior is a traditional, mellow, mix of dark wood, amber glass, and deep red velvet banquettes.

Most of Bewley's establishments are self-service cafeterias, but Bewley's of Grafton Street also has several full-service tearooms. Go at least once because Bewley's is a quintessential hit of real Dublin, and the people watching is good. But stick to coffee and sticky buns, because the food is rather mediocre.

Well we've been going for almost 23 years in the heart of Dublin city. We've got Soul, Rock, Indie, Hip-Hop, Reggae, Blues, Jazz, Country, Techno, Metal, Drum'n'Bass and other odds and ends. It's all here on vinyl and cd. -- www.freebird.ie

This is a nice record shop in Eden Quay marketplace. They definitely have a nice selection of Ninja Tune 12"s and they also get in some great mint condition old school hiphop records. So if you're in the area, definitely check it out.

B-Boy/HipHop atmosphere. Mainly younger crowd, majority aged 21. Men:Ladies ratio is 50/50. Underground HipHop. Funk. Resident DJs with guests regularly. Had a great time and tons of people show up to support the Dublin HipHop scene.

"All City Records opened in July 2001 in Dublin's Temple Bar. Run and owned by two Dublin hip-hop DJ's DJs Splyce and OB, we're primarily a hip-hop shop but we also stock reggae, ragga, funk, r n b, scratch records and videos etc. and also a wide range of graffiti material - Montana, Belton spraypaint, videos, OTR markers etc. You'll find us in Temple Bar's Crow St. on the second floor of a large purple building which is pretty hard to miss."

All City Records was probably the nicest record store I found while living in Dublin. All City Records has a pretty nice selection of new and old underground hip hop records. Not only that, but they also sell graffitti supplies such as: spray paint (in every imaginable color), caps for paint cans, and some nice fat chisel tip markers. If they don't have the record or specific color of paint you are looking for, they'll special order it for you. Also, they carry some nice shirts designed by local graf-artists and will definately have all info on local hiphop concerts and venues. Dublin has a pretty nice hiphop scene despite its population and geographic isolation. Kids are definitely manifesting the four elements there. Keep on.

The Book of Kells was written around the year 800 AD and is one of the most beautifully illuminated manuscripts in the world. It contains the four gospels preceded by prefaces, summaries, and canon tables or concordances of gospel passages. It is written on vellum and contains a Latin text of the Gospels in insular majuscule script accompanied by magnificent and intricate whole pages of decoration with smaller painted decorations appearing throughout the text.

The manuscript was given to Trinity College in the 17th century and since 1953 has been bound in four volumes. It has been on display in the Old Library since the 19th century. Two volumes can normally be seen, one opened to display a major decorated page, and one to show two pages of script.