Dublin Travel Tips

Wearing millennia of history and deep patriotism with casual flair, Dublin is a many layered city, where the more you explore, the more you're rewarded. It’s linked deeply to its coastal landscape, and this natural beauty has proved a draw for writers, artists and musicians across the centuries. Throughout its history, even in the most recent years, it has weathered many turbulent periods, but this Emerald City just shines ever brighter.

 

Best Time to Travel

 

Dublin takes on different characters through the seasons. High summer remains the most popular time to visit, and while you will have to share the city with hordes of tourists, it’s the best period for enjoying the city’s green spaces and many festivals. In the winter, you’ll be rewarded with cheaper prices, and though you’ll need to wrap up against the weather, cosy pubs and wonderful museums are ideal for warming up in. For arts and culture fans, September offers the Dublin Fringe Festival.

 

Not to Miss

 

Even if you only have a passing interest in literature or history, a visit to Trinity College’s Old Library is a must. This venerable place is home to one of the most precious texts in the world – the Book of Kells. This richly illuminated manuscript dates back to the early 9th century and is one of Ireland’s most prized treasures. It has survived Viking pillages, medieval thievery, the dissolution of churches, and the sheer passage of time, so to behold it is quite an extraordinary thing.

 

Getting around

 

Dublin’s airport is a major international hub, so you can get there from pretty much anywhere in the world without much hassle. European and transatlantic routes are particularly well serviced. It’s located 10 kilometres from the city centre, with efficient bus services and plentiful taxis to get you there. Alternatively, you can hire a car. In the city, trams and buses will shuttle you around, while the DART light rail service offers a spectacular coastal journey to the far reaches of Dublin and beyond.

 

Cuisine

 

The Dublin food scene is booming, with trendy new restaurants springing up all over town. Sleek Asian restaurants and fusion cuisine are popular with the international crowd living and working here. Traditional Irish pubs and restaurants still hold their own, however, serving up hearty meals of Irish stew and potatoes, in their many guises. Of course, Guinness is pretty much considered a national dish too, and there’s no shortage of places where you can get it.

 

Customs and etiquette

 

Dublin is a very international city, but it holds on firmly to its Irish traditions. Pub culture is a world of its own. Pouring the perfect pint of Guinness is an art form, so be patient and wait until it’s handed to you. If you’re with a group, everyone will be expected to chip in and buy rounds. Irish humour can be very dry and ironic, especially when the pints flow - it’s meant with no offence. In restaurants, tips of about 10% are normal for decent service. Fast Facts

 

• Population: 527600

• Spoken languages: English, Irish

• Electrical: Ireland runs on 230V, 50 Hz current

• Phone Calling Code: +353999