THE BMW GROUP IN DUBLIN.

Dublin, Ireland’s largest city and vibrant capital, can trace its origins back more than 1,000 years to its founding as a Viking settlement. Today this historic city is inhabited by more than 1.2 million people.

Picked out by the Globalisation and World Cities Research Network as one of the top 30 cities in the world based on its international connectedness, Dublin has a huge amount to offer culturally, aesthetically and professionally. Home to the headquarters of a number of international firms – including a list of major US tech firms – Dublin has established itself as a key location for multinationals.

For those with a passion for culture, the city also has a strong appeal. It’s one of the world’s most famous literary cities: authors as diverse as James Joyce, Samuel Beckett and Oscar Wilde all hail from Dublin. In addition, the city has a strong theatre scene and has also played host in recent years to a thriving contemporary art scene, with galleries focusing on innovative, challenging and engaging contemporary visual art.

The many architectural and historical points of interest, including Dublin Castle (1204), the Spire of Dublin and Guinness Storehouse, converge with new examples of internationally-celebrated architecture, such as the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre and Samuel Beckett Bridge. Dublin also has more green spaces per square kilometre than any other European capital city, with 97% of city residents living within 300 metres of a park area.

Dublin is a vibrant cosmopolitan centre with a lively nightlife and a variety of cultural events to enjoy, and with over 15% of the residents born outside the country, and an estimated 50% being younger than 25, this capital is not only ethnically diverse but also among Europe’s most youthful cities.