While temperatures are still on the chilly side in the Northern Hemisphere, you won't find a warmer city in the world than Dublin, and that all comes down to the legendary Irish hospitality.
Colin Farrell, The Script's Danny O'Donoghue, Mission Impossible 3's Jonathan Rhys Meyers and, of course, Bono all call it home, and Dublin's long-standing traditions of storytelling, celtic music and embracing the craic guarantee a night out in the city will be memorable. And Hollywood actress, Amy Adams, summed it up perfectly after filming Leap Year there in 2010, saying, "There's such a magical quality about Ireland and the people there. They have this very inviting and simple manner. It makes you feel at home instantly."
St Paddy's Day
There's no better time to visit the Emerald Isle than for the upcoming St Patrick's Day festivities on March 17. A public and religious holiday that celebrates the patron saint of Ireland, it morphed into a feast day in the 17th century and has slowly become a worldwide celebration of Irish culture, well and the colour green. Unlike the rest of the world, Dublin celebrates St Paddy's Day over almost a whole week, with hops festivals, live music stages, walking tours and even Father Ted Weekend, where you get to meet the characters from the legendary TV series.
But yes, March 17 does host the main event - the parade. The early morning of St Paddy's day is a unique and eerily beautiful time to stroll around the pedestrian-friendly capital, because the city is completely closed off from traffic and very quiet. Then, after around 9am the streets start filling up with shamrock-sporting revellers, and by noon you can expect to mingle with over 750,000 people clad in all shades of green, who are ready to party. The parade, which features hundreds of performers from around the world atop elaborate floats, begins in Parnell Square and finishes outside St Patrick's Cathedral - be prepared for hardcore revelry.
If crowds and parades aren't your cup of tea, then a slightly quirkier St Patrick's Day tradition is the Gaelic Athletic Association's annual finals in hurling and football. Teams from villages and towns across Ireland gather to passionately battle it out in Croke Park Stadium and the atmosphere is very lively and very, well, Irish!
Inner-city attractions
Nestled against the river Liffey and Ireland's east coast, the city of just over a million people has a lot to offer. Probably its most famous attraction is the Book Of Kells in Trinity College, hailing from the 6th century it's considered the oldest book in the world and is delicate and ornate. Also, the college itself has some of the most beautiful architecture in the city - with some buildings dating back over 400 years.
Second on your to-do list should be to take a gander down O'Connell Street; Dublin's main thoroughfare, and apparently Europe's widest street. A stroll along it will bring you up close and personal with the Spire, which is the world's tallest sculpture; the 1800s-built General Post Office building (famous because it was nearly destroyed during the 1916 Easter Rising, which battled for Irish independence), and you'll also get the chance for retail therapy at Ireland's version of Harrods, the 150-year-old Clery's department store.
Your final cultural stop should be at the 18th century Dublin Castle, an eclectic structure which was the seat of British power in Ireland. And while it's not a traditional vision of a castle - there are no moats or turrets - it's a great place to go to get a glimpse into Ireland's tumultuous, passionate history.
The tipple temples
As the sun begins to set (or even before!) and after you've had your fill of museums and heritage buildings, head to Temple Bar. While it's still very historical, thanks to its medieval layout and winding, narrow cobbled streets, this is also the heart of Dublin's nightlife. Head to The Porterhouse Brewery for genuine Irish ales (www.porterhousebrewco.com) or to Eammon Doran's for legendary live music - everyone from the Fun Lovin' Criminals to The Cranberries and Radiohead have played live there.
There's a lot more to this area than pints though - unusual shops selling art, vinyl and one-off fashions line the streets, as do arts venues, including the Irish Film Institute. Visit on a Saturday or Sunday morning for the Temple Bar Book Market or find Dublin's freshest fashion and design talent at Saturday's Cow's Lane Market.
Further afield
Dublin spreads out from a busy city centre to beautiful villages and rural communities, and while most tourists stick to the centre, it's well worth venturing further out. Just south of Dublin is the gorgeous village of Wicklow. Not only does it boast heritage buildings dating as far back as 1702, the land around it is home to many Bronze Age monuments that are well worth exploring. Most people visit, however, to head up the granite Wicklow Mountains - which spread from Wicklow all the way to Dublin, and boast beautiful views from peaks of 280 metres.
Slightly further afield, about three hours by car to the west of Dublin, are the magnificent Cliffs of Moher - these 214-metre-high rocks loom over the Atlantic Ocean and have a form that no sculptor could match in terms of beauty. Visit here and you will find yourself having a real ‘moment' with nature. Besides, you might be in serious need of some fresh air after all that St Paddy's Day partying!
What the stars say
“I have two places that knock on the door of my heart,” Fright Night actor Colin Farrell told Irish Central. “LA and Dublin. I will be home soon, I can’t wait. The fortitude of that island and the strength of that island is very much a part of who I am.”
Trip notes
An Evening of Food, Folklore and Fairies
Enjoy a candlelit traditional Irish dinner in Dublin's oldest pub, The Brazen Head, and listen while some of the city's most renowned storytellers take you back into the country's misty past. The music, atmosphere and people all make this an extra magical night that you will take away with you forever. From Dh218.
irishfolktours.com
Guinness Storehouse
Take a tour through this brewery to learn more about the distinct dark hops - Ireland's most famous export that's definitely an acquired taste. It's an interesting insight into the city's history, there's great pub food on offer and the top of the brewery boasts beautiful views of Dublin. Entry from Dh65.
guinness-storehouse.com
National Botanic Gardens
Located just five kilometres from the city centre, these gardens - which were established in 1793 - make for a beautiful day's stroll. We particularly love the greenhouses, which are full of incredible flora.
botanicgardens.ie
Stay here
Budget: St Stephen's Green Hotel
This unique restored Georgian house has a historical exterior but a contemporary touch. It's just five minutes walk through a beautiful park to the inner-city hub of Grafton Street and is the perfect base for a weekend in Dublin. And while the hotel isn't actually budget per se, book before April 30 and stay for three nights in the hotel with an American breakfast and airport transfers with Emirates Holidays and pay from just Dh4,697 per person (that includes return economy flights with Emirates!). That's great value.
stephensgreenhotel.ie
Mid-range: The Westbury Hotel
Since it was renovated a few years ago, this five-star, inner-city hotel has been consistently voted one of the best in Dublin. To begin with, its Grafton Street location is as good as it gets, putting you in walking distance from all the action. You'll have a view out to city life from your room (which is surprisingly quiet at night given the central location). And you'll enjoy all of the creature comforts you'll ever need, from the luxury rooms to the gorgeous bars and restaurants - oh, and the cooked breakfasts are second to none. Rooms start from Dh450 a night.
doylecollection.com
Luxury: Radisson Blu St Helens
Just 20 minutes drive from the city centre this is the perfect port for a relaxing few nights in the middle of your Irish vacay. And while you're a bit out of town, there are frequent buses into the city centre that leave from just outside the property (and the Wicklow Mountains are only about a 30-minute drive away). The 18th century mansion has traditional, perfectly landscaped gardens, and it's home to must-try, award-winning Italian restaurant, Talavera. Stay here and, yes, you will feel like the heroine in an Austen-era novel. Rooms start from Dh540 a night.
radissonblu.ie
Filmed there
Braveheart, Circle Of Friends, Leap Year, In The Name Of The Father, Michael Collins, Once, The Italian Job
Fly there
Emirates now flies direct to Dublin from Dh4,460 return, see www.emirates.com for more information.
