Dublin, Ireland (DUB), The Emerald Isle Awaits
Dublin, Ireland, a city I’ve visited many times and love it each time. Two of my favorite things to do is to have a pint of Guinness and two scoops of Murphy’s ice cream (one’s in the center of the city). I know what you’re thinking. “Dublin has many things to see, but you go there for a Guinness and ice cream?” Well, once you get here and sample the Guinness, specially poured, and some Murphy’s ice cream, you will get the message :-). Welcome to the Emerald Isle – Dublin, Ireland (DUB).
Here are some things about the city you may find helpful on your next visit:
Home Airline
There are two home airlines here: Aer Lingus (IE) and Ryanair (FR).
Airport Information
The city is served by the Dublin Airport (DUB) https://www.dublinairport.com/. The airport has Immigration Pre-screening when flying to the U.S. So give yourself some additional time to clear the lines. Your Global Entry will still work, but you still have to go through the normal line at Immigration.
There are Lounges at this airport, but only one of them is after Immigration, that is the 51st&Green Lounge.
Here are also some social media links so you can keep in touch and communicate with them if necessary:
Dublin, Ireland – Aer Lingus Checkin Dublin Airport (DUB)
Scheduled Service Airlines Serving Dublin International Airport (DUB)
Aegean Airlines (A3), Aer Lingus (EI), Air Arabia Maroc (3O), Air Canada (AC), Air France (AF), Air Moldova (9U), Air Transat (TS), American Airlines (AA), Arkia-Israeli Airlines (IZ), Blue Air (0B), British Airways (BA), Cathay Pacific Airways (CX), CityJet (WX), Croatia Airlines (OU), Delta Air Lines (DL), Emirates (EK), Ethiopian Airlines (ET), Etihad Airways (EY), Eurowings (EW), Finnair (AY), Flybe. (BE), Hainan Airlines (HU), Iberia Express (I2), Icelandair (FI), KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KL), LM, Lufthansa German Airlines (LH), Luxair (LG), Norwegian Air International (D8), Norwegian Air Shuttle (DY), Qatar Airways (QR), Ryanair (FR), S7 Airlines (S7), SAS (SK), Swiss Airlines (LX), Thomas Cook Airlines (TOM), Transavia France (TO), Turkish Airlines (TK), United Airlines (UA), Vueling (VY) and WestJet (WS).
Dublin, Ireland – Dublin Airport (DUB)
There is also an alternate airport in Shannon, Ireland (SNN). From here you can take a train or a bus to Dublin:
Aer Lingus (EI), Air Canada (AC), American Airlines (AA), British Airways (BA), Norwegian Air International (D8), Delta Air Lines (DL), Helvetic Airways (2L), Kuwait Airways (KU), Lufthansa German Airlines (LH), Ryanair (FR) and United Airlines (UA).
Cargo Airlines Serving Dublin International Airport (DUB)
There are a few cargo airlines serving this airport. You can find an updated list here.
Airport To The City
You can find additional information here. Some highlights are below:
- Train – There are no trains available from the airport to the city.
- Bus – There are a number of buses from the airport to the city of Dublin. There are local buses as well as special buses including the Airlink Express.
- Airport Taxi – Grab a cab to your hotel from the taxi stand just outside the terminal on arrival
Airport Hotels
There are a few hotels at the Dublin Airport. Here are a few of them: Carlton, Clayton, The Comfy Cottage, Crowne Plaza, Glenmore House Bed and Breakfast, Holiday Inn, Maldron and Radisson Blu. You can book using the search box below:
Trains Serving The City
Irish Rail serves the city of Dublin. You can go almost everywhere using it. There are several stations around the city serving different parts of the country. They are: Connolly, Dundalk and Heuston.
There is a Light Rail system called the Luas which goes to the suburbs and around the city.
Dublin, Ireland – The Luas
Buses Serving The City
Ireland has several bus companies and almost all of them ends or starts in Dublin. The buses are very comfortable and will take you all over the country. Some places are really far away and will take upwards of four hours. There are a few bus stations around the city as well as stops in the city center. In the city of Dublin, you can take the Dublin Bus which has service to/from the airport. Here are some services:
Currency
The currency of Ireland is the Euro (EUR). I recommend getting money at an ATM. They won’t take USD for purchases. Use an ATM as opposed to currency exchange places.
Language
English with a friendly Irish accent.
Visa Information
No visa is required for U.S. citizens and you can stay up to 90 days. Plus your passport must be valid for at least three months after your departure date. Other citizens should check with the Irish consulate/embassy in your region for specifics. Alternatively, you can use the IATA Web site for visa/health requirements. They do have U.S. Pre-clearance on your return so you clear Immigration and Customs before you leave Ireland.
Places To Eat and Drink
It’s Dublin, so Guinness is the name of the game. It’s everywhere. There are bars all over the place where you can get a good pint.
Dublin, Ireland – The Dropping Well Guinness
Dublin, Ireland – Oneill’s Pub
Lots of restaurant as well. Follow your nose.
Places Worth Seeing in Dublin
I recommend stopping at the Dublin Visitor’s Center and talking to the kind and very knowledgeable folks there. Their only job is to ensure that you have a great time in their fine city so make use of them. They are located right in front of Trinity College. As a matter of fact the bus from the airport stops right outside.
Just walk around the city and enjoy it. It’s quite big so get out those walking shoes. There are lots of churches, restaurants and bars to choose from as you walk the city. There are also a few markets so make sure you check it out. You can also take the Luas (a light rail) around the city.
I’m a big fan of trains and Dublin does not disappoint with a few train stations around the city. The trains are very efficient so if you want you can nip out to say Drogheda by train for a quick trip or take the Luas out to Milltown, a small suburban area of Dublin, when you get tired of the hustle and bustle of the city. Ensure that you note the right train station though.
Bus Eireann to Droghed, Ireland
Speaking of hustle and bustle, check out the statue of Molly Malone. It’s a statue of her and her wheel barrow. As a child growing up, I used to sing that nursery rhyme so the first time I went to Dublin, I had to make my way there.
I also enjoy the parks in the city and I recommend seeing the only color statue in the city, that of Oscar Wilde in Merrion Square. His house is across the street, so check that out too.
Here are some of the main attractions in Dublin:
Guinness Storehouse
St. James’s Gate Dublin 8. It’s within walking distance of the city, but you should take a bus or cab. This is the most popular tourist attraction in all of Ireland.
Dublin Zoo
Phoenix Park, Dublin 8
National Aquatic Centre
Snugborough Road, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15. Not sure why this place is so popular, but it is.
Book of Kells
Trinity College in the center of the city. While The Book of Kells is worth seeing, the Old Library above is even more magnificent in my mind. Check them both out and spend more time in the Library.
National Gallery of Ireland
Merrion Square W, Dublin 2
Irish Museum of Modern Art
Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, Dublin 8
National Botanic Gardens
Glasnevin Dublin 9
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
St Patrick’s Close, Wood Quay, Dublin 8
Dublin Castle
Dame St, Dublin 2
The Old Jameson Distillery
Bow St, Smithfield Village, Dublin 7. You can see some of the whiskey process as well as taste some fine whiskey
Kilmainham Gaol
Museum Visitor Centre, Kilmainham Courthouse, Inchicore Road, Kilmainham, Dublin 8. I have yet to make it here as its a bit out of town. Worth visiting I’m told.
Recommend Hotels I’ve Stayed
I’ve stayed at differing types of accommodations on my trips to Dublin. From hotels, to the Trinity College housing to hostels, I’ve sampled them all, so I have a good flavor for the city. Dublin is expensive when it comes to finding a place to stay so be prepared for that. If you head over to Booking.com, you can find a host of properties to choose from.
You can find most of the major hotel chains in the city in case you need to earn points and miles.