When I was young, my father’s oft repeated favorite riddle was: What is the richest country in the world? The first time he quizzed me, I wracked my brain and offered a few feeble guesses. When he could contain his mirth no longer, with a grin, a twinkle, and a nudge to my ribs he chuckled: “Ireland, of course! Because its capital is always doublin’!!”

Dublin has been awarded the prestigious UNESCO City of Literature award. Dublin joins Edinburgh, Iowa City and Melbourne to become the fourth city in the world to receive this accolade.
 
The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural organization (UNESCO) created the award as part of it’s Creative Cities Network. The network was designed to promote the social, economic and cultural development of cities in both the developed and the developing world.
 
Speaking about the award. Mary Hanafin T.D., Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport said "Dublin has been awarded this accolade because of the rich historical literary past of the city, the vibrant contemporary literature, the variety of festivals and attractions available and because it is the birthplace and home of literary greats".
 
She added, "Names such as Swift, O'Casey, Wilde, Shaw, Behan, Beckett and Joyce are synonymous with Dublin and there are reminders of their great literary works throughout the city - which captures both scholars and tourist imaginations when they visit the city."
 
Man Booker prize winner Anne Enright said: "In other towns, clever people go out and make money. In Dublin, clever people go home and write their books."