TO PARAPHRASE SAMUEL Johnson, when you’re tired of Dublin, you’re tired of life.

The city has its bad and good parts – usually ones that have actually escaped from the decades of badly-thought-out planning – but from the air, it looks beautiful.

These photographs were taken by the people with some of the best views of the city: the Irish Air Corps, who took the photographs on the days when their operations took them over the capital.

Good work, folks.

O'Connell Street

Dublin Bay, with the Poolbeg lighthouses on the left and the Liffey leading to the city centre.

St Stephen's Green

Above The Ha'penny Bridge, looking east along the Liffey towards Dublin Port.

South of Grand Canal Dock, looking north over the city.

Trinity College Dublin.

The Phoenix Park.

The view along the Liffey from above the Customs House. You can see the Phoenix Park on the right hand side.

All pics: Irish Air Corps

Read: Stunning photographs show Ireland from the air by the people with the best view >