200 Years and Counting...

It’s no secret that Dublin has its share of admirers.

Ten U.S. cities have derived their name from the Irish capital, which  celebrated a millennium in 1988. At the same time Dublin, Ireland was marking 1,000 years, Dublin, Ohio was experiencing its first. To commemorate its inaugural year as a city, Ohio’s Dublin held its first-ever Irish Festival. The event has become a staple of the community, attracting thousands of revelers each year and generating an estimated $1.7 million in revenue.

This year’s festival, along with other annual events scattered about the city on the banks of the Scioto River, carried special importance – Dublin celebrated its Centennial in 2010.

Golf has been a major facilitator of growth in Dublin. In the 1970s Jack Nicklaus built Muirfield Village Golf Club and residential community, creating an upscale facility that would quickly lure the PGA Tour to town, and a lovely gated neighborhood. This year the 36th Memorial Tournament will be played at Muirfield Village, and there is no sign of the event stopping. Nationwide Insurance recently signed a long-term deal to become presenting sponsor.

An international audience will turn to Dublin in 2013 when Muirfield Village becomes the 3rd facility in the U.S. to host the biennial President’s Cup competition.

In total, Dublin has more than a dozen public and private golf courses, including the dynamic Golf Club of Dublin. Designed by the Hurdzan-Fry team, this links-style course like the city at large offers a hint of Ireland with sod wall bunkers and handstacked stone walls.

There are a handful of public-access courses that promise an intriguing and challenging round of golf in and around Dublin, including Bent Tree Golf Club, Scioto Reserve Country Club, Clover Valley Golf Club and Safari Golf Club.

Off the course visitors can enjoy the culture and history of this charming city. Explore Dublin’s 19th century architecture, squelch your hunger with great local dining, browse unique shops and toast to today or tomorrow at a local pub.

Dublin is renowned for its 1,500-acre park system which features 88 miles of bike paths that stretch from end to end of the emerald city. Another popular attraction is the nearby Columbus Zoo, where a brand new ‘Polar Frontier’ exhibit recently opened.

Discover everything there is to see and do in Dublin at www.irishisanattitude.com. Format an itinerary, browse lodging options, download a visitor’s guide and stay up-to-date with the Dublin CVB’s blog.