Consolidated by the Norsemen in 841, Dublin became the capital of the Republic of Ireland (Eire) when the country gained formal independence in 1922. It is primarily an industrial city, and boasts distilleries, breweries and flour-mills among the more scenic delights that include the Tobacco Factory, the Custom House, the 13th-century St Patrick's Cathedral and the Gothic-style Catholic church of St Audeon. Dublin too has the pubs and bars in which the inhabitants love to sing as they down their pints of ever frothing stout and readers will love to learn more about Dublin in this book.