Our trip to Dublin Ireland was a present from my son for Xmas 2003. We travelled by Ryanair from Newcastle which took approx 1Hr. although with tight security you had to check in 2 Hrs. prior to the Flight. On arrival in Dublin, my son had arranged for a taxi from the airport to the hotel, so we were there and unpacking 1.5 hrs. after takeoff. Dublin is a fine city, and is easy to navigate around and it is nearly impossible to get lost. I was particularly impressed at how friendly the Irish people are, and everyone we had contact with were courteous, and willing to help with directions etc. Ireland in the past has been a net exporter of people, but I was pleased to see that a vibrant cosmopoliton peoples exist, particularly amongst the young people, I had a converation one day with a group of youngsters from Hungary, Brasil, Rumania and France and they all conversed with each other speaking perfect English albeit with their own dialect. Dublin has its fair share of famous people - Wellington, Yeats, Oscar Wilde and James Joyce and you can see their presence abundantly shown in the parks etc. At the time of writing this article Dublin is the Capital of Europe due to Eire holding the EEC presidency, due to this security in the form of extra police, security barriers and helicopters were to be seen. There is a lively nightlife in dublin with the arts being very much supported, and with traditional and modern cultures living nicely together. The shopping is good but slightly more expensive than at home. I have posted a few photos of my visit and would encourage you to visit it for youselves - you will not be dissapointed.