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They used to say that Dublin ‘carries its soul on its sleeve’. However, in recent years the capital has undergone such staggering change that it is only once you have scratched away at its shiny new surface that you reveal the true culture, identity and history that makes the city. Although Dublin’s transformation has been severe, with changes implemented on many levels and some of the foundations of Irish society rocked to the core, the city has retained its essence. And Dubliners, despite their newfound wealth, are still Dubs with their ‘howaya’s’ and their ‘what’s da storeeey’s’.

With colourful collages of adjectives, many outsiders have tried to paint a picture of the elusive nature of a Dubliner, often losing themselves in stereotypes and all too simplistic generalisations. However, since an attempt to unravel Dublin, or indeed Irish culture, in its complexity would go well beyond the scope of a modest few paragraphs, the best thing to do is highlight some of the cornerstones of Irish culture.

Deeply rooted in Catholicism, Irish society centres on the family, with marriage and fertility traditionally high. While previously, Irish men were often accused that they ‘couldn’t boil an egg between them’, gender strictures have loosened in the course of the past few decades, with many women juggling a career as well as a family. Two incomes are often as much of an economic necessity as a personal choice. Although wealth creation is a driving force of Irish society now, it remains less of a priority than in other nations. The Irish as individuals regularly surpass their western European neighbours in their willingness to part with a considerable proportion of their earnings for a charitable cause.

As much as generosity is considered a desirable virtue, so is politeness. Not only will you hear Dubliners thank their bus driver after finally delivering them to their destination an hour late, but they will thank them ‘a mil’. Also, if you carelessly bump into someone, you can be sure that they will say sorry before you have had a chance to figure out what has happened.

Social life and the infamous pub culture are other defining aspects. Since the weather imposes certain restrictions on leisure activities, there is a long tradition of providing one’s own entertainment, and music, dance, literature and the performing arts are omnipresent. You won’t struggle to find a busker who can strike the right note in Dublin, and finding a worthy show or gig is effortless, unless there’s a sporting interference. Dubliners are keen sports enthusiasts, whether they’re getting grubby on the field or ...