In its eighteenth-century heyday Dublin was the second city of the British Empire - a short period of wealth which saw the construction of the Georgian city. A period of slow decline followed which helped preserve much of the historic urban fabric until the neglect and economic slump of recent years accelerated the loss and damage. The last ten years, however, have seen a spectacular transformation in the fortunes of the city, with a wealth of new architecture that exhibits a deep understanding of urban design and an appreciation of the context, continuity and history of the city. Contemporary architecture has been allowed to flourish even in the historic centres. Areas such as Trinity College are being transformed by challenging modern buildings while the great experiment of Temple Bar is an urban-renewal project of European significance. Elsewhere developments such as the Custom House Dock are forcing the city to face 21st-century commercial pressures head on. This guide describes more than 100 recent buildings and urban schemes, viewing them within the continuum of a historic city renewing itself.