Getting to Know Dublin - Dublin - page 37

In the older section of the city, High Street is the gateway to
medieval and Viking Dublin, from the city's two medieval cathe-
drals to the old city walls and nearby Dublin Castle. The other note-
worthy street in the older part of the city is Francis Street, Dublin's
antiques row.
THE NEIGHBORHOODS IN BRIEF
Trinity College Area On the south side of the River Liffey, the
Trinity College complex is a 16.8-hectare (42-acre) center of aca-
demia in the heart of the city, surrounded by fine bookstores and
shops. This area lies in the Dublin 2 postal code.
Temple Bar Wedged between Trinity College and the Old City,
this section took off in the 1990s and was transformed into the
city's cultural and entertainment hub. As Dublin's self-proclaimed
Left Bank, Temple Bar offers a vibrant array of cafes, unique
shops, art galleries, recording studios, theaters, trendy restaurants,
and atmospheric pubs. This is largely the stomping ground of
young tourists (it's a huge stag-night destination on weekends),
and it's easy to feel over the hill if you're over 25. Still, it's fun and
buzzy. This area lies in the Dublin 2 and Dublin 8 postal codes.
Old City Dating from Viking and medieval times, the cobble-
stone enclave of the historic Old City includes Dublin Castle, the
remnants of the city's original walls, and the city's two main
cathedrals, Christ Church and St. Patrick's. In the past few years,
Old City has rocketed on to the map as a hip shopping destina-
tion, particularly for fashion (designer boutiques, eyewear) and
stylish, craft-based housewares. The area encompasses the Dublin
8 and 2 zones.
Liberties The adjacent Liberties district, just west of High
Street, takes its name from the fact that the people who lived here
long ago were exempt from the local jurisdiction within the city
walls. Although it prospered in its early days, Liberties fell on
hard times in the 17th and 18th centuries and is only now feel-
ing a touch of urban renewal. Highlights range from the Guin-
ness Brewery and Royal Hospital to the original Cornmarket
area. Most of this area lies in the Dublin 8 zone.
St. Stephen's Green/Grafton Street Area A magnet for visitors,
this district is home to some of the city's finest hotels, restaurants,
and shops. There are some stunning residential town houses near
the Green, but this is primarily a business and shopping neigh-
borhood. It is part of the Dublin 2 zone.