Dublin gets early Christmas present from The New York Times
As we all get ready to head home to our corners of the country - or the globe - to see family and friends this Christmas, Dublin is already getting an early present.
The New York Times has given the capital a ringing endorsement in a travel piece.
Writer Ratha Tep compared Bewley's on Grafton Street as like "walking into a Christmas card".
"It's not much of a stretch to say that, with its ivy-swathed Georgian buildings, winding cobblestones side streets and amiable spirit, the entirety of the city can feel that way too," she added.
Ms Tep says she moved to Dublin in August and - she explains - this is her first Christmas here.
"What I found was a newly energized city rich not only with jovial cheer, but also an abundance of artisan offerings and a creative, literary spirit. Better yet, much of it can be enjoyed frugally, all in the city’s compact, eminently walkable centre".
She also singled out the Christmas market at Stephen's Green, the "dazzling rows of white chandelier-style Christmas lights" on Grafton Street, Temple Bar and the National Gallery.
The article also mentions the near-annual tradition of Bono and Glen Hansard playing on Grafton Street around Christmas time, calling it a "refreshingly unpretentious" event.
