A Dublin neighbourhood has been named among the coolest on the planet.
Smithfield was topped only by Laureles in Medellín in Colombia, on the annual list by magazine, Time Out, which polls thousands of city-dwellers to rank the greatest spots for fun, food, culture and community.
Located in the north of Dublin city centre, Smithfield was praised for its "no-frills, post-industrial charm" with several highlights including grabbing a coffee at Proper Order, dinner at Fish Shop and a trip to the Light House Cinema.
"Smithfield represents the Dublin that refuses to disappear,” Time Out said.
The publication said, for the sixth year running, more than 12,000 people had their say in deciding the '40 coolest neighbourhoods in the world', naming the places "where everyone wants to be right now".
"Then, we narrowed down the selection with the insight and expertise of city editors and local experts who know their cities better than anyone else," it said.
"To create and rank the final list, we considered factors including community and social ventures, access to open and green space, and thriving street life."
Read more:
Travel: Pubs and people give Dublin its real heart on a wintry weekend
It's still possible to get a bargain holiday at half term – here's how
Time Out highlighted how in Smithfield "historic pubs sit alongside trendy new businesses, and at the end of August each year is a two-day celebration of all things local and Irish".
Representing the Irish listing, journalist Kate Demolder wrote that "Smithfield represents the Dublin that refuses to disappear".
"This Dublin 7 neighbourhood is a space where tradition and activism meet, where long-standing stalwarts co-exist alongside exciting new ventures," she said.
"You’ll not only find The Cobblestone, a historic pub known as the home of traditional Irish music in Dublin (which saw thousands of musicians march in protest when it was threatened with being knocked down in 2021), but new businesses like Third Space.
"This social enterprise café serves homemade sausage rolls with bacon jam, all-the-while making the neighbourhood a better place to live.
"Though the old Smithfieldian haunts (thankfully) remain, the once-empty spaces that sat beside them are today filled with independent bars, vegan-friendly restaurants, artisanal cafés and sourdough pizza shops – deeming the area a must-visit for anyone swayed by no-frills, post-industrial charm."
It also highlighted the hostel Generator, the pub Frank Ryans, the retro arcade/restaurant Token and the live arts venue The Complex.
Ms Demolder urged people to plan their trip when the Smithfield Fleadh takes place on the last weekend of August, adding that it is "the time to visit for two days of live Irish music, local art and hazy, summer evening pints".
Also making the top five on the planet was Carabanchel in Madrid, Spain; Havnen in Copenhagen, Denmark and Sheung Wan in Hong Kong.
