Uniquely Dublin
So what makes Dublin so unique?
It’s the hottest question right now.
I’d say; James Joyce, a pint in Neary’s, George’s Street Arcade, and a quiet mid-week afternoon at the National Gallery. Author Roddy Doyle reckons it’s the ‘Why Go Bald’ sign on George’s Street.
The corner of South William and Wicklow streets in Dublin city centre
Deciding what makes an entire city unique is tricky. It’s even trickier when that city is Dublin.
Maybe that’s why there’s €10,000 going for the best film, animation, photography, graphic design, written word, visual art work OR music entry that articulates it.
Think you have an idea?
Let these three Dubliners give you a shot of inspiration.
Trevor White
Cosy and quirky: The Little Museum of Dublin
Journalist, publisher, curator and Dubliner, Trevor White is one of those Dublin characters that could well be described as ‘part of the furniture’.
Along with Simon O’Connor, Trevor runs the Little Museum of Dublin – one of the guiding forces behind the idea of Uniquely Dublin.
So what makes Dublin unique?
It’s the friendliness of the place. That’s the reason people come here. Dublin is the friendliest city in the world and that’s what makes it unique.
So your perfect Dublin day?
Well, I’d begin with a look around the Little Museum of Dublin (of course!) in the morning. Lunch would be at Thornton’s on the Green. I’m convinced that Sean Thornton is the finest chef in Ireland. And I’d finish up the evening with a pint in Grogan’s pub.
Pat Liddy
Tour guide Pat Liddy of Dublin Walking Tours
Pat Liddy is a real multi-tasker. Historian, writer, award-winning tour guide – Pat’s Dublin Walking Tours have been awarded a certificate of excellence by Tripadvisor. He even finds time to be an artist too.
He also happens to know Dublin like the back of his hand.
What makes Dublin unique?
Dublin is small enough to get around easily but punches way above its weight in terms of history, heritage, handsomeness and unique stories. All the museums, visitor centres and places of interest are world-class standard. On top of that, the city is so close to beautiful coastal villages and beautiful mountain scenery.
Your perfect Dublin day?
Getting up early is a must, for a hearty Irish breakfast to give you the strength for a long day! Start with a lovely walk around the Merrion Square, the Georgian Quarter. Have a peek at the iconic Oscar Wilde statue and all the lovely nooks and crannies of the park. After that, pay a visit to the National Museum on Kildare Street to see Europe’s largest prehistoric gold and silver collection and the extraordinary Bog Bodies. Following a deserved cup of coffee in one of the nearby cafés, a visit to Trinity College and the Book of Kells should follow. After a light lunch, walk in to see the unique House of Lords in the Bank of Ireland building, formerly the Irish Houses of Parliament in the 18th century. As for the evening, well that’s entirely another story!
Enda Cavanagh
Man and dog at the Fortyfoot Credit: Enda Cavanagh
Photographer Enda Cavanagh captures slices of country and moments in cityscapes that make us think twice about places we walk past daily. On the back of a recent Duality exhibition, Enda took some time to tell us what makes Dublin unique.
So what is it about Dublin?
What I love about Dublin is that it’s beside the sea. It’s where I draw much of my inspiration. I think it’s where I feel most grounded. I love the chaotic nature of the Dublin cityscape. You have these iconic structures around Dublin that are not exactly text-book beautiful but they have so much character. For example Poolbeg power station in Ringsend and the old swimming baths in South County Dublin which form the subject matter of my exhibition Duality.
Your perfect Dublin day?
A nice sunny morning or evening taking photographs along the coast. The light around Dun Laoghaire is quite incredible at times. I love photographing the swimming baths because I find them an escape from the sometimes hectic life of living in a city, especially at sunrise. I often walk to the lighthouse on Dun Laoghaire pier and lie down on the concrete ledge looking at the sky where I could lie for hours. I also love shooting at Poolbeg in the morning. It’s funny, everyone’s attitude seems to change there. Walkers quite often stop for a chat when I’m taking photos. Something I couldn’t imagine if we encountered each other 15 minutes walk from there!
If you think you know what makes Dublin unique, you can enter the competition here.
Closing date for entries is 5:00pm GMT on Monday January 28th 2013.
i think its just the atmosphere and friendly service of the whole place
The Bloody that runs through the Dubliners Veins, burst through their hearts and makes Dublin so atmospheric, it creates the crac, the music , the laughter and the dancing….. . Its the people of Dublin who make it Unique without Doubt!!……..
Gods nectar, Guinness at the Temple on the corner….
Good suggestions, guys. Keep it up and be sure to submit a suggestion to the competition at http://www.uniquelydublin.com.
Cheers,
David
Dublin has the feel good factor for me. Great craic, great people and loads to see and do. Just love the city.
Start your day with a full Irish breakfast. Then a stroll through Dublin, over the Hey Penny bridge and through Temple Bar. After crossing Stephens Green and giving Molly Malone a pat a tour of Trinity College. Just remember all the footsteps you are following, the different walks of life before you, rouges and scoundrals to wrtiers and politians. The history here will give you chills and don’t forget to keep hydrated with a stop or two for a pint and a rest. Ask questions the locals love to talk about their history. Then my favorite a stop is the Brazen Head, the oldest pup that has never closed. The ruts in the floor are from centeries a people walking on these floors, settle down for a wonderful pint and a beef and Guiness stew. A wonderful day in Dublin. I just hope I can go back once more.
Apart from being an incredibly beautiful city it has something for everyone…but what makes it unique is…”Its the home of the black stuff” <3
It is like no other! Beautiful, friendly, peaceful. The way life should be . Simplicity at its best! They have an uncanny abilility to keep the best of the old and incorporate little but but the best of the new. Someplace that would give us enough wonderful memories to last a lifetime!
I was there this summer-it was like coming home-even though I had never been there. The people make the place so warm and inviting, the feel of magice all around you and knowing you will come back.
Green space…I love the fact that Dublin has more green spaces per square kilometre than any other European capital city. Thank you for all of the beautiful parks!!
Dublin is delightfully eccentric! It sparkles with positive energy! It captures your heart! Dublin is divine! Love it and can’t wait to go back!
Unsure if its here I should submit my entry with photograph ?
The restlessly changing sky and the colours on the sea and the green of lawns and the scent of Irish coffee or chocolate cake in that nice snuggy place on Grafton Street and all those sturdy faces open to radiant smiles along the streets and the “wild rover” playing in souvenir shops and astonishment at the energy and magic of flying dancers and … and … and…
What’s not to love about Dublin? It is such a beautiful place. It’s got nature, history, hospitality all in one place. You can walk almost anywhere you want to go & their public trasportation if you don’t want to walk is excellent. We have been there twice & were fortunate enough to spend a week there last year during St. Patrick’s Day week. We hated to leave. The people are so friendly & helpful. I love the unique colored doors. St. Stephen’s Green is such a beautiful park. Jameson Whiskey is the best. The parade was awesome. I LOVE dublin & can’t wait to go back there again.
Dublin is so unique because of its people……my Irish roots come to life when I visit. The music calms my soul, the beauty brings me closer to the creator and the sunsets inspire me to paint my master piece. Love to come visit again soon!
Definitely the whole atmosphere of this extraordinary universe made of people with a unique vibrating approach towards life. There is a special energy I can not help but feeling every single time I come over there from the South of Europe. I love Dublin, I love Dubliners!
What I loved were the people!
Everywhere we went locals loved to help us or just chat!
There aren’t many places in the world where they treat everyone so well!
Everything is magic in Dublin, its pubs, people etc…
home to millions of people around the world, through the good times & the bad times it’s evolved without changing in uniquesness, being coastal & yet on the edge of the mountains, the tasteful mix of new buildings integrated with old buildings with plenty to do & see and there is nothing like the friendly welcoming cheer, banter, storytelling & song wherever you go, you’ll always be smiling and want to come home
Its everything but mostly the friendly atmosphere that makes Dublin unique….its the history,..the heritage and the friendliness of the people that make people come back here.
What is there not to love about Dublin? There is history, religion, culture, entertainment, beautiful buildings (both old and new), stunning gardens, walks along the Liffey, interesting shops, cheerful pubs, the singing and the dancing and, most of all, the friendly people, which is most unusual to find in other big cities. Not only that, there is nothing like enjoying a truly Irish Guinness.
My brother and I drove down from Belfast in a black estate car.
We checked into our hotel, then set out for a spin.
As we were exiting the car park, one of the attendants looked at my brother, looked at the car, and said: ‘Any friend of Batman is a friend of ours.’
For such dark wit, Dubhlinn (Irish for ‘black pool’) is hard to beat.
That gave me a wry smile Mark, thanks!
Goes without saying, come back anytime. (Just make the signal…)
I love the people, places, all. Dublin is beautiful.
Hugs from Brazil – São Paulo.