I>U2. Sinead O ‘Connor, Chris de Burgh and the classic Seventies rockers Thin Lizzy and the Boomtown Rats are all associated with Dublin. The city commemorates its rich rock music heritage with a tourist route called "The Rock’‘N’Stroll Trail". Turn up your stereo and join us for the tour.

The trail was created in the early 1990s and consists of sixteen plaques in the shape of an LP. It takes you on a journey through contemporary rock history through some of Dublin’s most famous locations. The plagues mark the places that were significant in the lives and careers of many world-famous musicians: where they worked, first performed, or recorded.

To begin the trail, go to 13 Trinity Street, the headquarters of Hot Press -Ireland’s first serious rock music magazine. Established in 1977, it played an important role in the development of the Irish rock scene. Recordings and gigs were intelligently reviewed, ideas were discussed and the first stars of Irish music were created. Simultaneously, Dublin’s first pirate radio station got started in a terraced house on the outskirts of the city. Irish rock music has never looked back.

The fashionable Temple Bar, otherwise known as Dublin’s Cultural Quarter, has two places linked with rock stars. A plaque on Merchants’ Arch is devoted to the late Phil Lynette and his band Thin Lizzy, regarded by many rock fans as the greatest Irish band of all. Their 1973 hit "Whisky in the Jar" is still regularly played on radio stations worldwide.

Another must-see is the Bad Ass Cafe in Crown Alley. Serving American-style burgers and pizzas, this place is mostly frequented by Sinead O’Connor fans. It was here that the young Ms O’Connor worked as a waitress before signing her first record deal.

Now fully pedestrianized, Grafion Street is a prime shopping area and the real heart of Dublin. Here you’ll find the elegant Bewley’s coffee shop. This is where Bob Geldof wrote "Rat Trap" - one of the Boomtown Rats’ greatest hits.

Further down Grafton Street is Captain America’s Cookhouse. Since it opened in 1971 it has put together an extensive collection of rock and roll memorabilia - both Irish and international. There’s a guitar signed by the members of U2, and a drum kit which once belonged to them, a T-shirt signed by the Rolling Stones and masses of other items donated by REM, David Bowie, Tina Turner and many others. Captain America’s has another claim to fame, marked by the plaque outside. It was here that Chris de Burgh began his career in the early seventies, serenading the customers during their dinner. Where Grafton Street meets St. Stephen’s Green, another plaque marks the place were U2 played some of their earliest gigs. The most famous of all Irish bands, U2 first got together in Dublin’s Mount Temple comprehensive school way back in 1977. The trail commemorates them in two places, the other being Windmill Lane Recording Studios. Though a long walk from the city centre, Windmill Lane is the most popular place of pilgrimage for U2 fans. The street is covered with graffiti - even the pavement and signposts.

Although an ancient city, wherever you go Dublin buzzes with youthful energy and creativity. It is a city filled with music and dreams of fame. Maybe that’s its secret, maybe that’s how Dublin