Advantages: Friendly, smiley & relaxed people
Disadvantages: Rain and more rain!

..., but it is a working University, so don't be surprised if you're suddenly surrounded by hundreds of students on their way to class. I tell you, in my Uni days we didn't dress that well, and couldn't really feed ourselves like those kids obviously do. The Book of Kells, which is a very old manuscript dating from about 800 AD, can be seen in the library, however the interior library itself is pretty impressive in its own right. Another place you can visit is Dublin Castle (www.dublincastle.ie), however as Dublin is the seat of the EU Presidency this year, a lot of the rooms are closed to the public. On the tour (Î4) you can see a video of the rooms, but it's probably not the same. I thought it was quite disappointing, but I think that was because you couldn't really see a lot. The gardens (free) were quite nice though. Close by to Dublin Castle... Read review

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Advantages: See opinion
Disadvantages: See opinion

...~ ~ A recent survey shows that Dublin has recently overtaken both Amsterdam and Paris as the top spot in Europe for weekend breaks. As a taxi-driver in the “Fair City” I can only endorse the findings of this survey. I would estimate there is probably three times the volume of travellers passing through the Airport in Dublin in 2001 than there was in 1995. ~ ~ The reasons behind this huge upsurge in visitors are not too hard to understand. Ireland in general, and Dublin in particular, has undergone an economic boom in the last decade, which is practically unprecedented in European economic history. Economic growth has been steadily increasing at the astonishing rate of around 10% per annum. Not only does this mean that Ireland’s previous biggest export, people, has stopped, but that these tens of thousands... Read review

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Advantages: Great Shopping & Friendly People
Disadvantages: Can be busy

...Dublin is fantastic for any shopper or visitor, there is always plenty to do. I have been visiting at least twice a year. Leaving the airport is easy, outside the entrance there are plenty of buses with inspectors to help you choose the correct one. If you prefer to get a coach there is an airport service bus which costs approx. £3 each way into the city centre. There is also an airlink bus which is cheaper or an ordinary service bus. The buses do not give change, but there is a change machine situated behind the bus stops, or alternatively get a bus pass from the information desk inside, or like me order it online before you go from dublin bus. The bus passes come in 1, 4 or 5 days. This is a cheap option if you intend to travel around, as you will not have to look for money, just get on and off at your own leisure. The 4 day... Read review

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Advantages: Cheap
Disadvantages: Not cheerful

...Or rather, 305+ go mad there. This Saturday and Sunday ISTO 2004 took place at University College Dublin (UCD), and more than 300 trampolining university students descended on the city for a long weekend. 14 of us flew in from our uni, and though we booked well before Christmas, we had to split ourselves between two hostels, such was the demand for cheap accommodation in Dublin for those dates. I ended up in Issac’s, which was my first (and probably last) experience of a youth hostel. Getting There I flew in alone from Blackpool, landing a couple of hours after the others who had all travelled together, and immediately hopped onto an airlink bus. These run at regular intervals and cost €5.50, but I had a multi-day rambler ticket, so was able to use this instead. There are various drop off points in town, the nearest of which... Read review

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Advantages: History melds with modern-day use
Disadvantages: None at all

...Dublin Castle is a historic gem which has the added advantage of being used for modern government ,in a town renowned for appreciating its diverse and interesting history. A visit to Dublin Castle is enhanced by the energetic and enthusiastic tour guides. You wait in a reception room, for the appointed time, and then a guide joins you for a very professional group tour to share a look back in time, with a difference. What sets Dublin Castle apart from others is that it is still used as a seat of power, a conference centre and a historic and has the most impressive Chester Beatty Library. It is a visitor attraction but government and council business is operating from here, all the time. In the International Conference Centre the suite is used for Ireland's hosting of the Presidency of the European Union. A highlight... Read review

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Advantages: Great way to see the city if you're short of time
Disadvantages: Not a lot

...~ ~ Many people who visit the “Fair City” of Dublin these days do so on short or weekend breaks. In fact, only last year Dublin gained the premier spot as the most popular weekend holiday destination in Europe, overtaking both Paris and Amsterdam for the first time. If you are one of these “short break” visitors, it is very easy to allow yourself to become overwhelmed by the vast array of attractions that vie for your attention, and with your time limited, it is almost impossible to fit in everything you woul