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As is true with the rest of Ireland, the best thing about
Dublin is it's people. Dublin itself has gone through a great
transformation in the last 10 years.
 Parts
of Dublin that used to be rundown and considered bad areas
are now he most happening spots in Dublin. A prime example
of this is Temple Bar District located just south of the River
Liffey. The district is now bustling with restaurants and
clubs. Artists, writers and musicians have flocked to Dublin
from across Europe and beyond to take part in it's renaissance.
Orientation
Dublin is divided in two by the River Liffey. It has created
"the northside" and "the southside". Given
that the Irish are a proud lot, there is a good deal of competition
between the north and the south.
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 – For the traveler, some key spots
in the northside of Dublin are O'Connell Street which is mainly
on the northside, but does enter into the southside via the
O'Connell Bridge across the Liffey. O'Connell Street is considered
the "main drag" of the northside. There is the main
post office on O'Connell Street as well as loads of shopping.
Still on the northside, there is the main bus station. If
you arrive in Dublin via ferry you will most likely be bussed
into the city centre and arrive at the main bus station. The
bus station is located a few blocks east of O'Connell Street
and just north of the River Liffey right near the Customs
House.
Place to stay on the northside include the ever reliable
Dublin International Youth Hostel
and the independent Isaac's Hostel.
Isaac's is especially great to stay at if you arrive at the
bus station late at night and have no where to stay. It is
just around the corner from the bus station.
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– The southside
of Dublin has plenty of restaurants, pubs and shopping. Many
can be found in the Temple Bar District which runs along the
Liffey.
A couple of popular budget accommodations in the southside
are the Avalon House and the Kinlay House. Kinlay House is
located near Christchurch Cathedral towards the east side
of town. Avalon House is located in the middle of the southside
and is a great place to stay.
One note about Dublin is they like to
change the name of the street your on every few blocks. The
street along the Liffey on the southside goes by easily eight
different names - it changes just about every block.
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