Lively, Literary, and Theatrical
Dublin may not be the grandest or most beautiful of Europe’s cities, but its fascinating history and culture surely makes it one of the world’s most fascinating cultural capitals. Dublin’s literary and theatrical history is what makes it truly spectacular: Oscar Wilde, George Bernard Shaw, and Samuel Beckett were all born here, and James Joyce immortalized the city forever in his brilliant short stories Dubliners and his masterpiece Ulysses. A number of world-famous and historical theaters still operate in Dublin, most notably the Abbey and the Gate, and there are several excellent universities right in the downtown area. However, Dublin doesn’t only stand out because of its history and achievements, it also exudes a simple and personal charm that is alien to larger cities. The lush green parks are lovely and inviting places to relax, the pub life is famously lively, the cobblestone streets are appealing places to stroll and shop, and best of all, the locals are talkative and extremely welcoming towards strangers. It’s almost impossible to leave Dublin without making at least a few friends or drinking at least one pint of Guinness.