Even hard-bitten, stressed-out delegates cannot fail to warm to the Irish ‘craic’.
Think of Dublin and what springs to mind? Guinness, obviously. Its rich literary heritage, perhaps. Traditional arts like folk music and dancing, maybe. A modern capital that has embraced its reputation as a very European city, possibly.
But surely nothing encapsulates the appeal of Dublin more than its obvious sheer delight at the enjoyment of being alive, and it’s that famous ‘craic’ that entices visitors to the city and ensures they are packed off again with the warmest of memories. What’s more, for delegates from the UK it is also ‘abroad’ enough to be enticing, whist still remaining convenient and without encountering any language barriers.
Dublin is a compact city with most attractions within walking distance. Temple Bar is the cultural quarter of the city, with its maze of cobblestone streets, restaurants, bars, galleries and theatres. Gastronomically, Dublin is diverse, with a range of international cuisines, particularly around the Grafton Street area.
Never will you roam too far away from an Irish pub – a phenomenon that has taken the world by storm! At the last count there were around 1,000 different watering holes around the city – some with the utmost in contemporary chic, but many others that embody this tradition and haven’t changed significantly in over a century.
Economically over the last 15 years, Ireland’s rate of economic growth has been the highest amongst member nations of the European Union. This growth has led to enormous investment in the city’s infrastructure and facilities, and goes some way to explain the city’s relaxed air of confidence and bonhomie.
More than 18 million passengers use Dublin Airport, with its 88 airlines and 150 routes. Local carrier, Ryanair, is due to launch 19 new routes and direct flights are now also available from Bahrain and Dubai with Gulf Air and Aer Lingus respectively. Last autumn, the Irish Government announced a €34 billion transport plan to improve infrastructure, including the metro from the airport to city centre and an expansion of the LUAS tram system.
Think of Dublin and what springs to mind? Guinness, obviously. Its rich literary heritage, perhaps. Traditional arts like folk music and dancing, maybe. A modern capital that has embraced its reputation as a very European city, possibly.
Economically over the last 15 years, Ireland’s rate of economic growth has been the highest amongst member nations of the European Union. This growth has led to enormous investment in the city’s infrastructure and facilities, and goes some way to explain the city’s relaxed air of confidence and bonhomie.
