Dublin, Ireland
Dublin, the vibrant capital of Ireland, is situated on a scenic bay at the mouth of the River Liffey, within the province of Leinster. The city is bordered to the south by the Dublin Mountains, part of the picturesque Wicklow Mountain range. According to the 2022 census, the city council area boasts a population of 592,713, while the broader Dublin metropolitan area, including its suburbs, is home to 1,263,219 residents. County Dublin's population stands at 1,501,500, making it the most populous city on the island of Ireland.
The history of Dublin dates back to the Gaels, who established a settlement in the area during or before the 7th century, followed by Viking influences. By the time of the 12th-century Anglo-Norman invasion, Dublin had emerged as Ireland's primary settlement. The city experienced significant growth from the 17th century onward, rising to become the second-largest city in the British Empire and the sixth-largest in Western Europe after the Acts of Union in 1800. With independence in 1922, Dublin was designated the capital of the newly formed Irish Free State, later simply named Ireland in 1937. Recognized as a global city, Dublin received an "Alpha minus" ranking from the Globalization and World Cities Research Network (GaWC) in 2018, placing it among the world's top thirty cities.
The historic center of Dublin is bordered by the Royal Canal and Grand Canal, with Heuston railway station and Phoenix Park to the west, and the IFSC and Docklands to the east. O'Connell Street serves as the inner city's main thoroughfare, with numerous Dublin Bus routes and stops along the Green line of the Luas. The city’s primary shopping areas include Henry Street on the Northside and Grafton Street on the Southside.
In tourism and real-estate contexts, inner Dublin is frequently categorized into distinct quarters: the Medieval Quarter, featuring Dublin Castle, Christ Church, and St Patrick's Cathedral; the Georgian Quarter, encompassing St Stephen's Green, Trinity College, and Merrion Square; the Docklands Quarter, known for the Dublin Docklands and Silicon Docks; the Cultural Quarter around Temple Bar; and the Creative Quarter, situated between South William Street and George's Street.
Since the late 2010s, Dublin has seen a surge of high-density residential developments, particularly in the suburbs, with mid to high-rise apartment complexes emerging in areas like Sandyford, Ashtown, and Tallaght. Traditionally, a social and geographical division existed along the River Liffey, with the southside often regarded as more affluent and genteel compared to the northside. Additionally, disparities are evident between the coastal suburbs in the eastern part of the city and the newer developments to the west.
Source: Wikipedia
