With the Guinness set to flow this week in celebration of Ireland’s most famous saint there’s no better time to think about all things Irish and in particular the great city of Dublin. Whether you have 24 hours or a couple of days there’s no shortage of things to do and see in the Emerald capital. Dublin, a city of 2 plus million people is set on the River Liffey which separates the city into north and south sides. In the last decade the city has experienced much growth and prosperity with the capital being labeled one of the most expensive cities in Europe. The city’s population has also diversified with an influx of migrants from Eastern Europe and Northern Africa making the city truly international.

Dublin is a walker’s paradise with all the main attractions in easy walking distance of each other. But, before you take on the city a big Irish breakfast is in order and Bewley’s Oriental Café.  This is one of the city’s most famous eateries, located on the south side on Grafton St. If you are after something a bit more relaxed and more local head to Joy of Coffee in the Temple Bar district. This eatery has a large communal table which is a great place to rub shoulders with the locals. One tip before leaving your accommodation – don’t forget to pack your umbrella or raincoat as Dublin is known for its rain!

My Dublin city tour starts on the south side but it can be easily reversed depending on where you begin your day. First stop is Dublin’s famous Trinity College. Built in 1591, the college has educated many famous graduates, including playwright Oscar Wilde and author Bram Stoker (best known for Dracula). For historians the college library is worth checking out as it holds Ireland’s most regarded national treasure the ‘Book of Kells’, which is an illuminated manuscript in Latin, containing the four Gospels of the New Testament. A short walk from Trinity College is Ireland’s original Parliament House which now houses the Bank of Ireland. You can take a peak at the House of Lords Chamber floor during business hours. Depending on the weather a stroll around St. Stephens Green is a must. Like all great city parks it features a lake, walking paths, statues and many gazebos.

By this time you’re probably in need of some food and there’s nothing better than fish and chips. Nobody does it better than Leo Burdock’s fish and chip shop, located on Werburgh Street, which not only serves the best salad in town but also serves a range of healthy main dishes. You will find when walking around the city that there are plenty of shopping options in downtown Dublin. The main streets for shopping are Grafton St (south side) and O’Connell St (north side). The streets are linked by the O’Connell Bridge across the River Liffey.

We’ll leave the south side for now and head to the attractions of the north. The historic Post Office on O’Connell St was once the scene of the Easter uprising of 1916, which resulted in Ireland’s independence. The building was restored in 1926 but the scars of the battle are still visible today. Continue walking up O’Connell St until you come to Parnell Square, which was once home to some of Dublin’s wealthiest people. The streets around Parnell Square are full of classic Georgian houses and you will also find the Garden of Remembrance on the northern side of the square.

A visit to Dublin is not complete without the Guinness factory tour. For 250 years the St. James Gate brewery has been brewing Ireland’s most famous drink. Brewery tours are conducted daily with the most enjoyable part of the tour coming at the end when you’re able to sample the famous brew. As the day draws to an end it’s time to hit the town and experience the famous nightlife and hospitality the city is know for. Most people flock to the Temple Bar district which is home to dozens of bars, restaurants, cafes, art galleries and pubs. If you’re after live Irish music (Irish craic) the Temple Bar district will have it all from traditional classics to modern day bands. Before you know it you’re back at the hotel with a throbbing headache and a thirst to see more of Ireland. As you pack your bags the next day you’ll probably be humming the city’s most famous song “In Dublin’s fair city, where the girls are so pretty…..”