Dublin’s irrepressible spirit

While Ireland's famed "Celtic Tiger" economy is now more of a sickly kitten these days, the country is still vibrant as can be for travelers. And Dublin offers the best (and many would say only) urban thrills in the Republic of Ireland. Here are a few of my favorite things to do in Ireland's capital.

Trinity College welcomes visitors with student-led tours. With a particularly erudite version of the Emerald Isle's gift of gab, your guide explains how Ireland's top university was started in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I to establish a Protestant way of thinking about God. Originally the student body was limited to rich, Protestant males. Now Catholics and women — even Catholic women — are welcome.

While the 30-minute tour will teach you about the architecture and history of Ireland's most prestigious college campus, it's most enjoyable simply as a chance to hang out with a witty Irish college kid as he talks about his school.

Don't leave Trinity without dropping into the library to see the precious Book of Kells. Written on baby calfskin by monks in the ninth century, this enthusiastically decorated copy of the four gospels is arguably the finest piece of art from what is generally called the Dark Ages.

Ireland's national struggle and its great heroes are still within living memory. And the Kilmainham Jail is a pilgrimage for anyone excited about Irish independence. The British used Kilmainham to house political prisoners. Many of Ireland's George Washingtons and Nathan Hales — patriots who wished they had more then one life to give to their national cause — were held or executed here.

It's compelling to tour the cells and execution sites hearing tales of terrible colonialism and heroic patriotism alongside Irish school kids who know all the names. Don't miss the dimly lit hall off the second floor displaying the stirring last letters patriots sent to loved ones hours before facing the firing squad.

Ireland's struggle against British rule involved the entire society — even sports, as you'll learn at the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) Museum. The GAA was founded in 1884 as an expression of an Irish cultural awakening. While created to foster the development of Gaelic sports — specifically Irish football and hurling (and to discourage English sports such as cricket and rugby) — it was political to the core.

It’s A Snap! See the latest entries See the amazing images sent by msnbc.com readers and submit your own for next week!

The GAA museum, at Croke Park Stadium, offers a high-tech, interactive introduction to Ireland's favorite games. Relive the greatest moments in hurling and Irish football history. Then get involved. Pick up a stick and a ball and actually try a little hurling.

My wife and I went to a game at Dublin's Croke Park with 50,000 Irish football fans. The sport is fast and rugged — like airborne hockey with no injury time outs. The rules are like soccer, but you can run with the ball as long as you bounce or kick it every three steps. Each fan paid 30 euros (about $40) for a ticket. I was talking to my Irish friend, telling him we went to the Abbey Theater the night before to see a play by Oscar Wilde. He asked me the cost, and I told him 30 euros. He said to his wife, "Imagine paying 30 euros to see a play!" I reminded him that, to a playgoer, spending 30 euros to see this football game would be just as strange.

Save time in Dublin for strolling down Grafton Street, the city's liveliest pedestrian shopping mall. A delightful 10-minute walk past street musicians takes you from Trinity College to St. Stephen's Green (and makes you wonder why American merchants are so terrified of a car-free street). Walking by a buxom statue of "sweet" Molly Malone (known by locals as "the tart with the cart"), you'll pass venerable department stores and a shopping emporium that tastefully fills a converted Georgian mansion. For fun, gather a pile of coins and walk the street, putting each human statue-mime into action with a donation. Stop at a cafe somewhere along the street for coffee with a second-floor view of the action.

msnbc.com travel teasers See the latest contest winner and take the quiz

Except for the beans at breakfast ... forget "eating Irish" in Dublin. Going local here is going ethnic. I was at a multinational food court and it was confusing: Chinese were cooking Mexican, Poles were running the Old Time American diner, a Spaniard was serving sushi, and Irish were running the Thai. Save your craving for pub grub for the small towns.

Whether in its pubs, in its ancient past, in its struggle for independence, or in its bustling streets — Dublin is the capital of a nation with a rich history and an irrepressible spirit.

(Rick Steves writes European travel guidebooks and hosts travel shows on public television and public radio. E-mail him at , or write to him c/o P.O. Box 2009, Edmonds, Wash. 98020.)

Don't miss these Travel stories from msnbc.com 10-day China package, from $888 Paris and Nice, air/6 nights, from $749 Hotel rates down nearly 9 percent this year Great-value Caribbean islands  | Which Hawaii for you? Keep your vacation moments memorable

MORE FROM TRAVEL

Travel Section Front

Las Vegas and the 21st-century Strip Las Vegas reports increase in visitors in Sept. United suspends pilot suspected of being drunk Google offers free Wi-Fi for the holidays Southwest launches new fare sale Top 10 fun fall foliage adventures My car rental company is taking me to court Holiday fare sales and more, from $98 New Zealand, air/6 nights, from $1,499 Paris and Nice, air/6 nights, from $749 Travel Section Front   Add Travel headlines to your news reader: