Dublin is and the capital city and the largest city of the Republic of Ireland, with an urban population of over 1 million, containing almost 25% of the country's population. The English name is derived from the Irish name Dubh Linn, meaning "black pool". Dublin is situated near the midpoint of Ireland's east coast, at the mouth of the River Liffey, and at the centre of the Dublin Region.

Originally founded as a Viking settlement, it evolved into the Kingdom of Dublin and became the island's primary city following the Norman invasion. The city expanded rapidly from the 17th century, and for a brief period was the second largest city within the British Empire and the fifth largest in Europe. Following the partition of Ireland in 1922, Dublin became the capital of the Irish Free State and later of the Republic of Ireland. The city is currently ranked 29th in the Global FinancialCentres Index and among the top 30 cities in the world. It is a historical and contemporary cultural centre for the country.

Dublin has many famous sights dating back hundreds of years, with Dublin Castle as one of the oldest (1204) symbols of the city, and the Spire of Dublin (2003) as one of the newest. Other popular landmarks and monuments include the Mansion House, the Anna Livia monument, the Molly Malone statue, Christ Church Cathedral, St Patrick's Cathedral, and Áras an Uachtaráin.