Ireland was first settled 8,000 years ago but by 200 BC the Celts had become the predominant culture and their mark survives to this day. Bordered by the wild Atlantic to the west and Great Britain to the East, Ireland benefits from plentiful rainfall – hence the Emerald Isle.
Ireland has spawned more than its fare share of home-grown greats, such as Joyce, Behan, Wilde, Yates, Shaw and Beckett with Dublin being home to most of them.
Dublin city centre has several shopping districts, including Grafton Street which houses Stephen's Green Shopping Centre and the recently refurbished Ilac Shopping Centre on Henry Street. Brown Thomas, one of Dublin's most famous stores houses several concessions by famous names like Hermès, Chanel and Louis Vuitton.