"Dublin" Dublin by JulesH

We came to Dublin to see a show, but stayed for the weekend to experience a bit more of this city I've heard so many things about.

I wasn't too sure what to expect, but found a city not unlike London in attitude, but on a smaller scale. The very rich were juxtaposed with the very poor. I found plenty of history, museums and monuments, and the city is clearly under development, with cranes everywhere you look at the moment!

To be honest, I found the well documented Irish hopitality to be no different to the way I am treated at home. Is that a misconception of Dublin or of London?

Half the city seemed content to succumb to it's tourist status, selling leprachauns and shamrocks, tempting tourists into pubs in the Temple Bar area with live Irish music or driving round town in an open topped tourist bus.

The other half seemed a lot more cosmopolitan and upmarket, understandably trying to find a way to steer clear of those desperately in search of anything "traditionally Irish", and ending up in far more diverse establishments.

I tried to experience a little of each.