Dublin

Dublin is one of only a handful of cities that holds international appeal and influence - a fact made more unique because its fame is based almost exclusively on cultural output. Dublin may not have an instantly recognisable building or landmark but ask a listener to come up with images of Dublin and the results flood in: Molly Malone a cold pint of Guinness a late-night pub session. Neil Hegarty examines this legacy of Dublin's 'cultural capital' to bring the city and its people to vivid life. A rich story encompassing art literature architecture politics and more Dublin follows a general chronology but the chapters are organised around themes - crime and punishment power and rebellion urban calamity (fire flood disease) the sacred and the profane - that occur and recur throughout the city's history. Larger historical trends - the effects of the city's Penal Laws the establishment of a Catholic middle class the dizzying pace of change in the wake of the Celtic Tiger's economic reforms - are seen through the experiences of leaders and pioneers as well as that of ordinary citizens to create one of the most wide-ranging and nuanced portraits of Dublin ever published.