Dublin

The commonly used name of the largest metropolis and capital of Ireland - Dublin - derives from an archaic Irish name of the city's surroundings "Dúbh Linn" (meaning "black pool"), which was adapted to English pronunciation over the centuries. However, the common name for the city in Modern Irish - Baile Átha Cliath - can be translated as "The Town of the Ford of the Reed Hurdles". Officially, the Town of the Ford was founded by the Vikings in 841, although the accounts of settlement in this area originate from the 1st century BC. Dublin is situated on the east coast of Ireland, on the Irish Sea, at the mouth of the River Liffey, which divides the city into two parts of completely different nature: Northside is considered to be a poorer part inhabited mainly by the working class, while Southside is much more modern and wealthy. Dublin is an important transport hub, as well as the main industrial, educational and cultural centre of Ireland. The city can be proud of its university, established in 1592 (Trinity College), famous for its library with a priceless collection of illuminated manuscripts, including the Book of Kells. In Dublin, there is Phoenix Park, the largest city park in Europe (established in 1745, it is almost 8 square kilometres in area). There are also many (35) museums and art galleries. The fate of many famous people has been connected with Dublin. Among those born in Dublin are not only famous U2 frontman Bono, singer Sinéad O'Connor, and actor Colin Farrell, but also such outstanding writers as G. B. Shaw, W. B. Yeats, Oscar Wilde, Jonathan Swift, Samuel Beckett, Bram Stoker and James Joyce, who immortalized the city of his times in the collection of short stories entitled Dubliners.

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