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Dublin
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YOUR GUIDE TO

Make IT In Irelands insiders guide to

living in Dublin, created by us just for you.

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HELLO!
Youve made it to Ireland! By now youre probably adjusting to the Irish weather, the left-hand traffic and the Irish accent? Great! Were here to help you on your way.

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From your own Irish start-up, well lead you through our tips on finding your dream flat, how to best get around the island, and how to bank those all-important pay cheques. But we know your time in Ireland isnt all about the money, rent deposits and income tax. So weve also included the very best of Irelands down-time activities, our favourite hang-outs and secret hideaways. From finding the best pint of Guinness in Dublin City, joining a gym and eating out, consider this your go-to guide for the Fair City. Welcome to Dublin. Your journey starts here

Arrival MAP of dublin

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DUBLIN City Settling in culture shock web Guide

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Arrival

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Youve arrived at Dublin Airport!

Welcome to Dublin Airport, Irelands largest and Europes tenth busiest airport. Depending on your airline, you will arrive at either Terminal 1 (eg. Ryanair flights), or the new Terminal 2 (eg. Aer Lingus flights). Both terminals are in fact side by side and are connected with a walkway which is a three minute transfer. Once youve met your first Irish person (at passport control) and grabbed your luggage from the baggage carousel, youll enter the T1 or T2 arrivals hall. This is a good chance to use Dublin Airports free WiFi, hit the ATM or Bureau de Change to get some Euros or grab your first Irish sandwich at the Spar convenience store! N.B. Dont forget to turn-off the roaming on your mobile phone!

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The Dublin Area

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City Centre

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Ground Transportation from the Airport

Dublin Airport is a pretty calm experience. In the arrival halls of both terminals youll see ground transportation signs for your onward journey to Dublin city centre. You have two simple options:

Taxi
An official taxi rank sits outside the forecourt of both terminals. The journey takes about 30 minutes and typically costs 35 (taxis have a metre system). Tipping is not necessary.

Bus or Coach
There are a number of bus and coach services serving Dublin Airport and the city. Two of these include the Dublin Bus Airlink 747 (6) or the Aircoach (7). Both have bus stops outside the terminals (If arriving from T2, you simply have to walk straight across the sky-walk over the road and the lift/escalator down to the bus stops on the left). The journey to Dublin city centre takes about 30 minutes and both services also offer free wifi: perhaps nows your time to take your first camera phone pic of Ireland or change your social network profile to lives in - Dublin!

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First impressions
You may only be Ireland about an hour by now but a few cultural differences may have caught your eye! Firstly, Ireland (like the U.K., Australia and South Africa) drives on the left-hand side so always take extra care when crossing roads. Secondly, youll also notice that all official signs in Ireland (motorways, street names etc.) are in both English and Irish the countrys national language.

Stephen's Green Shopping Centre, at the top of Grafton street.

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Dublin City

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Orientation
Most visitors arriving in Dublin city centre tend to disembark their bus at OConnell Street, (Dublins main avenue and site of the Spire of Dublin), or alternatively cross the River Liffey south to College Green (home to Trinity College Dublin). Your bus driver will be happy to recommend the best bus stop for you! Now in the middle of downtown Dublin, you may find it most practical to take a taxi to your final destination (point-to-point taxi trips in Dublin tend to cost about 10). If you wish to reach your base by public transport, we suggest you download the Hit the Road app (hittheroad.ie), which will show you exactly where to walk, which bus to take etc.

Here are your transport options!

Bus
Where to buy a ticket: on board the bus / newsagents (Spar, Londis, Centra etc). The capital is served by Dublin Bus (dublinbus.ie), which operates a labyrinth of 200 routes across the city and suburbs. To buy your ticket, simply tell the bus-driver your destination eg. Trinity, please and he will charge you accordingly (from 1.65). The bus-driver does not announce the names of the bus-stops so its a good idea to check your route (or count the stops) beforehand! N.B. Dublin Bus only accepts coins (not notes) and does not give change in cash. Change is given in a paper receipt that you can later exchange for cash at Dublin Bus Office at 59 Upper OConnell Street.

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Tram
Where to buy a ticket: on the platform. The Luas (meaning speed) is Dublins excellent tram service (luas.ie; 1.60). The two lines (Red, mostly Northside and Green, mostly Southside) do not connect but are planned to do so by 2017. You do not need to frank (stamp) your ticket, however fines for travelling without a valid ticket are from 45.

Light Rail
Where to buy your ticket: platform or DART station. The DART is Dublins suburban rail service which whizzes up and down Dublins coastal suburbs from the city centre. It is fast, efficient and can be a great way to beat rush-hour traffic (irishrail.ie; from 2.40).

Bike
How to get your ticket (and bike!): at the bike station or subscribe online. Dublins recent bike sharing scheme is one of the citys great transport successes. The eco-friendly way of getting from A-B allows you to borrow a bike from one of the citys 44 bike stations and return it to the bike station nearest to your destination. Its how we get around in Dublin and we love it! (2 for 3 days or 10 per year! dublinbikes.ie).

Dublin by numbers
Split by the River Liffey, Dublin is divided into 24 postal zones, which may initially seem a little confusing. Just remember however, that all the odd numbers (1,3,5) lie on the Northside while the even numbers (2,4,6) are on the Southside. There is one exception: Phoenix Park, home to President, lies north of the Liffey, but is in fact Dublin 8.

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Dublin at a glance
By far Irelands largest city, the story of Dublin is home to 1,200,000 characters and is one of the youngest, friendliest and most vibrant cities in Europe. When not acting as a multicultural tech-capital however, Dublin has an urban village feel youll soon find it hard to walk down Grafton Street without seeing a familiar face. Enjoying the city isnt about chasing attractions; its simply about soaking in the vibe. Whether that means enjoying a seafood lunch in the fishing village of Howth, or catching an innovative art exhibition in trendy Temple Bar, Dublin is simply waiting to share a pint with you. Or a cup of tea.

A Luas tram the most satisfying way of getting around the Dublin area.

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Settling In

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Temporary Accommodation
If you dont have an apartment pre-organized with your employer, you may wish to find some short-term accommodation in the city before you find your own flat. There are a number of fantastic options in Dublin. Dublin has a growing number of trendy yet affordable designer hostels. Our top picks include Generator Hostel (generatorhostels.com) in Smithfield which has dormitory beds and private rooms from 9/45 per night or Barnacles hostel (barnacles.ie) in Temple Bar from 12/60. If you fancy something with a little more privacy, Ariel House (ariel-house.net) in Lansdowne Road, Dublin 4 is an elegant B&B with rooms from 79 per room while Staydublin.com offer self-catering apartments in the city from 79 per night. After youve checked-into your new accommodation, youve unpacked your raincoat, and youve charged your smartphone, then what? Check out our Dublin social guide later in the guide to say how you can best enjoy your Dublin days!

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First Week Checklist

Leap Card
Our transport tip? Buy a Leap Card (similar to the London Oyster card) which allows you to use all of Dublins bus, DART and Luas services with one single card. You can buy one in most newsagents (eg. Spar, Easons) and youll also pocket a saving of about 15% per journey. You can then top-up your card at various charge-points across the city.

Irish Mobile
Hopefully youll have unlocked your own mobile phone before you arrived in Ireland - but if not, no panic. The main phone providers are Vodafone, O2, Meteor and Three, all of which seem to have shops located on every street across the city centre. Youve two options: Pay as You go where you can buy a phone and buy top up vouchers at most stores. Prices range from 50 for a generic smartphone, to 679 for an iPhone 5 16GB! Alternatively, go for a bill-pay phone. With bill-pay, your phone is often free but you must commit to a contract from about 30 per month. This can include a certain amount of domestic calls, international minutes and internet data. Mobile Phone contracts in Ireland typically last from 18 months to two years. Dont forget to bring your bank details, photo-id and proof of address to your phone provider.

PPS Number
You will need a PPS (Personal Public Service number) to live in Ireland, for both tax and social security purposes. If your employer has not

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The Powerscourt Centre, with its relaxed atmosphere, is a good place to meet with friends. Off Grafton Street.

organized this for you, you will need to go to the Social Welfare Office at 20 Kings Inn St, Dublin 2. You will need; your passport or national identity card, and proof or evidence of your Irish address, such as a household bill (ESB, telephone, gas, etc.) in your name.

Health Insurance
There are several health care options available, should something go wrong health wise. Be prepared for every eventvuality by ensuring that you have the right level of cover if it is necessary. Free cover is available depending on your nationality. European Union citizens living in Ireland are automatically entitled to free public health care. However, private insurance (approximately 500+ a year) is advised since waiting lists for those without insurance can sometimes delay treatment. The main private health care providers in Ireland are VHI (vhi.ie), Aviva (aviva.ie) and Laya (layahealthcare.ie). Visitors from EU countries are also entitled to free urgent medical care so long as they present their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

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English Language Courses

From Beginners English to Business English, you may want to use your first week or two in Dublin to improve your language skills. The city is a very popular destination for English language learning and as a result there are many schools to choose from. Dublin City University Language School (english.dcu.ie; Office VBG11, DCU, Dublin 9) have courses from 225 per week, while International House (IH Dublin.com; 60 Dawson St, Dublin 2) have courses 240. Fancy something from home? Livemocha.com is the worlds largest online language community and offers unlimited interactive language classes from 40 per month. Dont forget, however, that even without taking a course youll find your English will quickly improve in Ireland were a social bunch, who like to chat. You may even acquire a Dublin accent sooner than you think!

Renting a Flat
Finding a new flat is perhaps the greatest worry when moving to a new country so allow us to do some stress-busting. Firstly, almost all flats in Ireland come furnished which tends to save us tech-types, time, money and a lot of sofa-schlepping. Rental agreements in Ireland may be also be a lot more relaxed than you may be used to, but do be sure to always ask for a contract of your tenancy. You are usually required to give your landlord a deposit of one months rent before you move in and a minimum of one months notice should you decide to leave.

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The best and most extensive area website to find a flat in Ireland is daft.ie or myhome.ie where you can do a search on Letting (renting) your own flat or Sharing with a group of people. If youre aiming to improve your English, we suggest you find some fellow Irish people to live with. They like to chat!

Which D?
When flat-hunting you may wonder where to start in terms of Dublins neighbourhoods. Well here are some of our tips. The main hitech village of Google et al. sits along the Docklands area (D4) where gleaming apartments and plush penthouses offer panoramic views over the River Liffey. The D2 area (Rathmines, Rathgar) offers more canal-life, street parties and trendy caf and bistro culture and is a hub for many young professionals, while the traditional red-bricked streets and new apartment complexes of D7 (Smithfield, Stoneybatter) are a becoming a popular in-spot for Dublins creative and artsy folk.

Make it your home

If you decide to rent an unfurnished flat, or simply want to make some changes, the new IKEA (ikea.com.ie) in Ballymun has quickly become Irelands most popular furniture shop. To get there, take either the Dublin Bus number 13 or number 140 from OConnell Street. Home delivery starts from 35. Another popular way to shop is catalogue shopping with Argos (argos.ie). You can visit their website, reserve a product, and pick it up at one of their many stores across Dublin (eg. Jervis Street).

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If youre looking for something a little more unique, why not try one of the citys flea markets? Our favourite includes Newmarket Square in Dublin 8 (dublinflea.ie), where you can pick up everything from a retro lamp to a vintage record player. Should you want to buy a television in Ireland, you will also need to purchase a television license. This can be bought at any Post Office (anpost.ie) and costs 160 per year.

Bank
In order to enjoy those pay checks of yours, youll also need to open your Irish bank account. The main banks in Ireland are Bank of Ireland, Allied Irish Bank and Ulster Bank, all of which offer convenient online banking options. To open a bank account, youll simply need to bring photo ID (e.g. passport or drivers license) and proof of address to your branch. If youve no Irish proof of address (phone bill etc), you can ask your employer for a letter stating that you have recently arrived in Ireland and have started work but cannot yet provide evidence of your Irish address. Pay cheques are lodged directly into your current account but if you also plan on saving during your stay, check out askaboutmoney.ie which compares all the various bank savings accounts. Dont forget that the interest your savings account will earn will be subject to a 30% tax known as D.I.R.T.

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Dublin in Numbers / Price Index

Cappuccino Irish Times newspaper Pint of Guinness Litre of Petrol Pack of 20 Cigarettes One bedroom shared-rental in Dublin city centre (per month) Cinema Ticket Big Mac Meal Three-course early bird menu National Museum entrances 2.80 2 5.50 1.65 9:40 500 11.50 7.40 21 free

Your Pay Cheque

When that first pay cheque does finally arrive, its worth familiarizing yourself with all those terms and confusing of acronyms. We all want to know where our cash is going, nest-ce pas? Ireland operates a P.A.Y.E. (Pay As You Earn) system. So, youve guessed it the more you earn, the more tax you pay. PAYE in Ireland is 20% of incomes up to 32,800 and 41% for the balance. PRSI: Is Pay-related Social Insurance. This essentially contributes to your social-welfare payments in Ireland should you find yourself out of work. USC: Universal Social Charge is a tax on incomes greater than 10,036. If your income is over 16,016 your USC will be 7%.

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Shopping
Dublin takes shopping to an almost Japanese-level of street mania. Stand at traffic light at OConnell Bridge at within seconds, youll be surrounded by a swarm of shoppers all laden down with their latest deals from Pennys or Zara. Unlike much of continental Europe, youll even find malls and streets here packed with bargain hunters and window shoppers seven days a week. Its almost shopping 24/7. Tesco, Dunnes Stores and Superquinn and M&S are the main supermarket chains in Dublin but Aldi is our fastest growing chain, who along with Lidl, have stores mushrooming across Ireland. For a more traditional grocery run, you can find really good fruit and veggie value from the traditional traders at Moore Street, while if you fancy some gourmet treats, Fallon & Byrne on Exchequer Street is one of the citys most happening piceries. Also save some room in your basket for Dublins farmers markets such as the one on Harcourt Street which takes place every Thursday morning (irishfarmersmarkets.ie). Dublins main shopping areas surround OConnell, Henry Streets on the Northside, Grafton Street on the Southside. Temple Bars cobbled streets are a maze of book stores, cafs and vintage boutiques, while Dundrum Town Centre with 160 stores is the largest shopping centre on the island (green Luas).

Safety & Annoyances

Dublin is one of the Top 20 safest cities in world, ranked with the likes of Vienna, Toronto and Wellington (source: mercer.com).

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#faxemergency!
Moving to a new country, theres often a paperwork emergency. If you suddenly realize you need to receive a fax from Berlin or scan something to Shanghai, youll find most hotels and hostels are happy to help. Internet Cafs are becoming rare in Dublin nowadays but Global Caf (globalcafe.com) on OConnell Street is a handy spot for photocopying (0.10), printing (0.25), faxing (1) - and they offer free scanning!

Litton Lana Hostel, 2-4 Litton Lane Photo by mulloy on Flickr.

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Although it is a clich, just like any other large city, precautions should be taken. Step one: Dublin has a beautiful medieval old city which also means it has many dark alleys and lanes. Avoid taking short-cuts in Dublin at night and stay to well-lit areas. Step two: Pick-pockets and muggings are rare in Dublin but take caution around busy areas like Temple Bar, where people are walking slower or are congregated by buskers and street performers. Step three: When using public transport at night stick to the busier carriages of the DART and Luas services and the lower deck of Dublin buses. Step four: Drunk and disorderly behaviour is perhaps Dublins most common annoyance. Take care around the city after bars and clubs close and thousands of people emerge on the streets. Step five: Begging is an unfortunate reality of daily life in Dublin. A simple sorry will usually satisfy most beggars, but if youre feeling charitable we suggest a donation to a local homeless shelter. Note: Electricity 230 volts, 50Hz. Square and round three-pin plugs are standard you can buy a converter in most electrical stores in town.

Business Hours
We Irish like to shop and youll find opening hours in Ireland quite a bit more flexible than many countries in Continental Europe.

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Typical opening hours are Monday to Saturday: 0900 to 1800, with later openings on Friday and Saturday until 2100. The hours on Sundays in Dublin are a little more limited but youll still find most stores open from 1000-1800. For all-night shopping, youll find some Tescos, Centras and Spars in the city centre are also open 24hrs. Banks are typically open from 10am until 4pm though this can vary per branch. Pubs in Ireland are open until 2330 from Sunday to Thursday and until 0030 on Fridays and Saturdays. Nightclubs in the city typically close at 0230. Pubs are closed on Christmas Day and Good Friday.

Public Holidays
There are a total of 9 public holidays in Ireland each year. On a public holiday (or bank holiday), schools and many businesses close doors. Other services, for example, public transport still operate but often with restricted schedules. The list of public holidays each year is as follows: New Year's Day (January 1st) St. Patrick's Day (March 17th) Easter Monday First Monday in May, June, August Last Monday in October Christmas Day (December 25th) St. Stephen's Day (December 26th)

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Medical
It happens! Youre away from home and suddenly suffer a cold or a bug. Dont worry, your Dublin GP (doctor) will soon look after you. When looking for a GP remember that in Ireland, clinics are also called surgeries. Suffolk Street Medical Surgery is one of the citys most centrally located clinics where you can expect to pay 55 for a consultation. For dental care, Smiles (smiles.ie) have a number of centrally located clinics around the city (eg. OConnell Street). In Dublin you can expect to pay 40 for a check-up.

Pharmacies
In Ireland pharmacies (also known as chemists) offer prescription and general medical advice services. Boots is one of the countrys most popular chains. If you need painkillers such as Paracetamol or Asprin, you can also buy these in any supermarket or convenience store, however you can only buy one packet per person. Need Passport Photos? Many pharmacies in Dublin offer ID photos services which typically cost 7.

Emergency Services
Like all European Union countries, the emergency number for Ireland is 112 in addition to 999. Fire, Ambulance, Garda , Sea or Mountain Rescue. There is also an emergency SMS service to 112 for the deaf or speech impaired community.

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N.B. The police service in Ireland is known as An Garda Sochna (the guardians of peace). A police officer is referred to as a Garda or a guard (Garda/guards in the plural).

Embassies
Dublin is home to 53 international embassies in Dublin most of which can be found in impressive mansions around the Ballsbridge area of Dublin 4. If your country does not have an embassy based in Dublin, youll probably find one London, a one hour flight from Dublin. http://www.dublin.info/embassies/

Media
Ireland enjoys one of the highest levels of media freedom in the world (source: reporterswithoutborders.com), along with countries such as Finland and the Netherlands. The country has four national television stations: RT 1, RT2, TV3 & TG4 (Gaeilge), with international networks such as BBC, CNN and France 24 available on most satellite systems. RT Radio 1 (90FM), Dublin 98FM, Today FM (100FM) and Newstalk (106FM) are Dublins most popular radio stations, which combine a mix of music and Irelands obsession for politics and current affairs. The Irish Independent and the Irish Times are the top newspapers while Journal.ie is one of Irelands most popular online sources of news. International newspapers such as The NY Times, Die Welt and Le Monde can be bought at newsagents such as Easons but with the age of the internet, the demand for these has almost died.

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Culture Shock
(absorber)

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Your day at work

Youll probably find the work atmosphere in Ireland quite easy-going, particularly for those of you coming from Germanic nations. Titles (Mr & Mrs) are never used, and dress codes tend to be quite informal (but not necessarily casual). We recommend you ask your employer what the dress code or jeans policy of your company is before you start. A good handshake is an absolute must for a positive first impression in Ireland. Firm and friendly is our tip: practice with yourself beforehand if necessary. Typical working days in Ireland are broken into one or two tea breaks and a main-lunch break. For lunch, Dubliners tend to grab something at a nearby bistro or enjoy some pasta leftovers from the previous nights dinner. Youll find with many Irish people mixing their work and private lives more often than not. Colleagues will often socialize for drinks once a week, enjoy sports activities together and organize staff nights out together during the year. Be prepared to open up (as much as you want!) with your workmates. Unlike other European countries, where its often a custom to bring in cake on the day of your birthday, this is not the case in Ireland, though you wont find people complaining if you do

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Dublin Etiquette: Our 5 Tips

One: In Ireland, Hows it going?! generally means hello and not how are you?. So dont be surprised if we dont stick around to hear your answer. Two: Dubliners are world champion jay-walkers (crossing streets during a red traffic light). While weve had years of practise, we advise you to always take care when crossing roads in our capital. Three: The Irish like to small-talk, a lot. In the elevator, the staff kitchen or even in the changing rooms at the gym, be prepared to discuss the weather or the Champions League at any given moment during your day. Four: Hold doors, say thank you to bus drivers, and always put up the next please sign for the customer behind you at the supermarket check-out. Its good Irish Kharma! Five: If visiting an Irish home for dinner, always bring a little token of gratitude (like a bottle or wine or a bunch of flowers from Tesco). We always say Oh! You really shouldnt have! but in truth, we rarely mean it!

How to meet us?

Youll find Dublin a surprisingly multi-cultural city; in fact about 17% of our capitals population is non-Irish. So where can you find us Irish? Our best tip is to flat-share with a group of Irish people where youll improve your English (and your Irish accent!) and hopefully broaden your Irish social horizons.

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Otherwise, we Irish are very sociable and are happy to chat and make friends just about anywhere. From the arts scene in Temple Bar to tech events in the city; gyms, flea markets, dance or yoga classes, hiking clubs, pubs and night clubs across the city we advise you to get chatting and dont be afraid to make the first move. Want to things a little further? Why not try some online Irish dating on sites like plentyoffish.com and match.com? th mr ort! (good luck!).

Rounds
Whos round is it?. Thats the phrase youll hear across every pub in Dublin on a Friday night. Rounds operate with one member of a group of friends or colleagues going to the bar to buy a whole order of drinks for his group. This rotates throughout the evening (regardless of the cost of individual drinks: if you like double brandys, good for you!). To be bought a round and not to offer to buy a round is considered poor etiquette so if you dont want to be in a round, opt out! Note: its not an exact science but usually people who drink minerals are exempt from rounds.

Tipping
Tipping in Dublin is not an obligatory custom though you will find most Dubliners providing their waiter with tip of 10%+ if theyve been happy with their restaurant service. Although it is rare, sometimes a service charge is already to your added to your restaurant bill, particularly with larger groups. Tipping bartenders or taxi-drivers is not generally expected though if youre feeling generous (like most Irish are) you can always round-up a figure to the nearest Euro if you wish.

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Dublin DOWNTIME

Lots of activities to do in Dn Laoghaire, a seaside town south of Dublin.

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Surf & Turf

Ok, help us out here. In what other capital city can you catch waves in the morning and go hiking in the afternoon? (Nein Fritz, Los Angeles is not a capital city). Well welcome to your new lifestyle in Dublin!

Water
Dublin has a few good beach spots; the main place you can hang ten is Dollymount, Dublins busiest beach, which come summertime is alive with windsurfers, kitesurfers and boogie boarders (the ferries also help with those waves). For something away from the crowds, try Killiney beach on the Southside, where you can catch some sun next to Bonos house. Brittas Bay just a little further south in County Wicklow is known as one of the best surf-spots on the East Coast. Fancy some lessons? The Surfdock in Dublin offer beginner kitesurfing and windsurfing classes from 65; surfdock.ie.

Hiking
In terms of hiking, Dublin is bodyguarded by its own mountain range which adds a picturesque backdrop to the city (as well as keeping some of that rain away). The Dublin Mountain Way is a 52km trail from Shankill in the east to Tallaght in the west. The higher you climb of course the better the views and you should be able to see Wales or Enya on a fine day. If you fancy a little more adrenalin why not try mountain-biking along its trails?

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While up the mountains, you have to make a stopover at Johnny Foxs Irelands highest pub. It is a bit touristy but they do pull a good pint. Closer to the city (well, actually in the city) is Phoenix Park Europes largest Urban park. Its usually where youll find Dublins fit brigade training for their next 10k, marathon or ironman. Its also home to Dublin Zoo, the Irish President and has a really beautiful herd of 500 fallow deer. For a great way to experience outdoors Dublin we suggest you try a hillwalking group. Its a great way to take in some scenery and meet some friendly Irish folk (and hey, they wont know you just want to practise your English!). Try bogtrotters.ie or walkers.meetup.com for more.

Gyms
The explosion of gyms around the city in the last ten years means gym membership prices have been dipping nicely ahead of your arrival. You should be able to find memberships for from one to twelve months, but shop around and ask for a free trial or day pass before you sign up. Some popular options in town include the pricey but swanky One Escape in Smithfield (D7), (oneescape.ie; 820) and RAW in Portabello (rawcondition.ie; 399). Dont forget many hotels also contain gyms for membership our pick for the Docklands area is the Maldron Hotel on Cardiff Lane (maldronhotels.com; 450). Youll also find a lot of happening in terms of wellness and fitness classes in Dublin. From boxing and MMA classes to Bikram yoga and pilates, most gyms have classes free to members - so be sure to ask.

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If you fancy taking your fitness up a notch check out the courses at bootcamp.ie. Thing youre ready now? Good. Now drop and give us twenty!

Rugby
With local side Leinster having been the European Heineken Cups maestros for the past two year, its fair to say rugby has developed a fanatical following in the city. Leinster play their home games at the Aviva Stadium and we reckon you should check out some of the action during your stay. If you fancy something more active, without the bruises, tag-Rugby is non- contact version of the game and a super way to work your social network. Teams are usually mixed and the Irish aprs-tag scene is known as one of the hottest dating grounds in town. Try! (tagrugby.ie).

GAA
Okay, we may not have topped the medal table at the London Olympics but this partly as Irelands most popular sports are all uniquely Celtic. Gaelic Football (a little like Aussie Rules) Hurling (a little like hockey) and camogie (female hurling) are played throughout every village in the nation. Dublin is mostly a footballing county and watching a game is quite the cultural spectacle. Croke Park is one of the largest stadiums in the world and hosts regular games. Buddy up with a local to learn the rules!

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Soccer
Nothing quite grips the nation however than an International soccer match, even when were losing (danke, Deutschland; merci, Thierry; muchas gracias, Espaa). Dublin has a number of soccer teams such as Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians though they havent been knocking on the door of the Champions League (yet!). To have your own kick-around, youll find many companies run five-a-side nights, but, if you and a few friends or colleagues can put a dream-team together, you can register with the leisureleagues.ie tournament.

Culture & Arts

Dublin is the true cultural hub of Ireland (Galway or Cork might think otherwise) and has been drawing Irelands cultural spirits for decades. The National Gallery of Ireland should be your stop if you want to combo up the works of Irish painter Jack B. Yeats with art from the likes of Picasso and Monet, while the IMMA is a haven for modernist aficionados. For a kicked back Sunday activity, check out Francis Bacons exhibits at the Hugh Lane gallery, which also hosts classical music concerts on Sundays. To set your finger on the pulse on Dublins hipsterville art-scene check out exhibitions at the Monster Truck or the Exchange in Temple Bar.

Cinema
In a city which sees a fair share of drizzle, Dubliners are unsurprisingly romantic old lovers of film. The city even hosts a number of annual movie bashes including the Jameson International Film Festival, the Kinopolis Polish Film Festival and the GAZE LGBT Film Festival.

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Meeting House Square, Temple Bar. Great spot for cultural events.

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For a night at the flicks, the citys main theatres include Cineworld at the Parnell Centre (Dublin 1) and the Savoy on OConnell Street. The citys main indie movie hubs are the Irish Film Institute (IFI) located in Temple Bar and the wonderful Lighthouse cinema in Smithfield.

LGBT Dublin
Tell us. How could the home of Oscar Wilde not be a gay capital? Dublin is one of Europes most vibrant gay cities where conservative attitudes, like Elton Johns wardrobe, have been left in the 1980s. Civil partnerships are legal in Ireland and Dublins councils have recently backed a bill supporting gay marriage in Ireland. Although Dublin 8 (around Portobello) is the unofficial gay village, the scene in the city is not very ghettoised - youll find a strip of gay-friendly business running from Capel St. on the Northside though to Temple Bar and Georges Street on the Southside. Dublins main LGBT hang-out is the Front Lounge on Parliament Street where youll find the girls flirting in the front room, the boys in the back. The Dragon & The George meanwhile are the citys two main late-night spots where you can expect the usual mix of bingo, go-go dancing and Eurovision parties. For a list of all the happening events in the LGBT Dublin, check out the Gay Community News (gcn.ie).

Food & Drink

Dublin dining? What can we say. With an explosion of pop-up restaurants mixed with old Dublin institutions like Bewleys on Grafton

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Street, Dublins dining scene is both irresistibly retro and tantalizingly en-trende. Our current favourites include the very funky Foam on Strand Street who serve incredibly imaginative salads (with a dcor to match) and Mother Hubbard on Capel Street for their quirky gourmet sandwiches and friendly community vibe. Le Bon Crubeen on Talbot Street serve a delish early bird menu, vegetarians can bask in chickpea heaven at Cornucopia on Wicklow Street, sushi lovers can head to Yamamori on Great Georges Street and fancy something ethnic? Try the Little Jerusalem Lebanese restaurant in Rathmines. Finally, no night out in Dublin is complete without a late night chaser to the chipper (fish & chip shop). Our fish and chips faves include Beschoffs on OConnell Street, Burdocks in Christchurch and Irelands very own Supermacs located across the city (try the cheesy chips!). Best coffee in town? We go for Twisted Pepper on Middle Abbey Street but remember, this is a nation of tea-drinkers! To savour the ultimate Irish cuppa head to Wall & Keogh on Richmond Street and lovers of desserts must make tracks for The Cake Caf. The hidden hangout on Pleasants Place (described as Jade Jagger in a tearoom) serves a range of heavenly gateaux and even offer you hot-water bottles if you feel chilly sitting on their courtyard. Cheers to that! Fancy that great Dublin pint? Amid Dublins thousands of bars we suggest you head to some of our old classics: The Lord Edward on Christchurch Place, the Long Hall on Georges Street or Mulligans on Poolbeg Street which dates from 1782 is where youll find us supping. Come swing by and well buy you a pint!

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Web Guide
Handy sites for living in the Fair City

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makeitinireland.com
Were with you all the way. Have a question about living in Ireland? Ask it on our forum. Also stay tuned for great tips and competitions.

visitdublin.com
Dublin's official tourism site - telling you about all our top attractions.

dublintown.ie
Pinterest sytle photo-guide to dining and culture in the city.

totallydublin.ie
Alternative social guide to some of Dublin's best-kept secrets.

dublin.lecool.com
Dublin's weekly mag on the coolest happenings in the capital.

hittheroad.ie
Handy site helping you to get from A-B, anywhere in Dublin and beyond.

entertainment.ie
Gig guides, cinema listings, and theatre reviews: Ireland's social go-to.

expatexchange.com
Social network forum for international community in Ireland.

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