Dublin, the Irish capital and home to the best Craic in Europe, is a popular destination for a last minute weekend break.
Around half of the total population of the Republic of Ireland now resides in County Dublin and the centre is lively and bustling at all times of the day and night, with crowds enjoying the young atmosphere of the booming city.
Home to a thousand pubs, Dublin is the ideal destination for a drinking holiday and those looking for lively evening entertainment should head for the city's Temple Bar area, home to the largest concentration of pubs, clubs and restaurants.
Dublin has a growing number of fashionable bars including Cocoon, Dakota, Cafe en Seine, and Pravda. More traditional pints in places packed with character can be found in the Oliver St John Gogarty, the Stag's Head, Kehoe's, Davy Byrne's, O'Neill's and the Brazen Head (Dublin's oldest pub).
The city has dozens of nightclubs, some of the best of which are the Pod, celebrity haunt Lillie's Bordello and The Kitchen at the Clarence Hotel.
Dublin has plenty of reasonably priced accommodation and fancier places to stay, with some of the best in the city centre itself including the Hotel Issac, Jury's Inn, the luxurious Merrion, modern Chief O'Neill's, the Clarence, owned by Bono and The Edge of U2, as well as a large number of hostels and smaller guesthouses.
The city is home to a number of drink-related attractions, including the excellent Guinness Storehouse, which offers the chance to learn more about how the iconic drink is produced, its history and it continuing popularity. The Gravity Bar at the top of the Storehouse and the end of the tour offers the chance to sample a dark, creamy pint looking out over the city.
Foodies will delight in the wealth of eateries Dublin has to offer, with a range of global cuisines available, upscale restaurants, numerous cafes and many cosy places serving more traditional Irish fayre, such as steak and Guinness pie, oysters and stew.
Whiskey lovers should visit The Old Jameson Distillery, which was built in 1780 and is one of the largest and finest distilleries in the world. Recently restored to its former glory, the distillery now offers entertaining guided tours, gift shop, bar and restaurant.
Hangovers can be shaken off in many of the attractive parks around the city, the largest of which are the central St Stephen's Green and the vast Phoenix Park, which also houses Dublin Zoo.
Along the coast from Dublin, a short drive or train ride away, lie a number of resort towns, such as Bray, with its traditional seaside feel. The city also has some excellent museums, theatres and galleries, including the National Museum, Kilmainham Gaol and the National Gallery.
Sports fans can catch Irish sports such as experience Gaelic football and hurling at Croke Park, visit the races at Leopardstown, or go to one of the excellent golf courses around the edges of the city.
Shoppers will get carried away exploring the many shops and department stores in the Irish capital, with the best shopping located on Grafton Street, Henry Street and in Temple Bar. A pleasant city to wander around, tourists can choose from traditional Irish gifts, such as crystal, jewellery and knitwear, Guinness souvenirs and general shopping.
A number of airlines, including budget carriers, fly into Dublin from across the UK and it is also possible to travel over by ferry from Liverpool and Holyhead.
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Dublin; a gem in the emerald isle