Much like the Irish, Dublin is a place of immense personality and home to almost 25 per cent of Ireland’s population. The city itself a buzzing metropolitan district with vibrant nightlife and more parkland per square kilometre than any city in Europe.
A large number of technology and finance companies have set up European headquarters in the city including, Microsoft, Google, Facebook and Citibank. Listed as one of the ten richest cities in the world, Dublin remains a strong global business centre.
Dublin Information
Population: Approx. 506,211
Time Zone: UTC +1
Languages: English (official), Irish (official)
Currency: Euro
Currency Exchange: Purchase your euro cash and travellers cheques before you leave Australia
Dublin Climate
Dublin experiences a temperate marine climate with summer averages ranging between 10°C (50° F) and 18°C (64° F). In recent years summer temperatures have risen substantially above these averages.
Winter months range between 3°C (37° F) overnight and 8°C (46° F) during the day. Rain is highest during winter but the city experiences substantially less rainfall than the rest of the country. December is the wettest month with averages recorded around 75mm.
Dublin Airport
Name: Dublin Airport
Website: http://www.dublinairport.com/
Partner Airline: Etihad Airways
Car Rental:Mates rates on all car hire with our preferred partners
Around Dublin
Jump on any Irish tourism website and somewhere on the page there will be a clock counting down the days (if not seconds) to St Patricks Day. March 17 marks the day Ireland’s patron saint passed. Despite his celebrity status and the exaggerated stories of him driving the snakes out of Ireland he was in fact a Christian missionary and creator of the treasured Celtic cross. To this day it remains one of the most important events on the Irish calendar. With more than a million people joining in the five days of festivities, it goes without saying – March is a great time to visit Dublin.
St Patricks Day wouldn’t be complete without a pint of Guinness. The original brewery opened at St James Gate in 1759 and tours of the Guinness Storehouse (located across the street) operate seven-days-a-week. Here you can learn how to craft the perfect brew and take an entertaining look at the history of Guinness marketing. Work your way (and your appetite) up the seven-story building to a pint of Guinness and your favourite stout infused meal at the Gravity bar, which boasts 360° views of Dublin city and beyond.
A great piece of Irish history can be found at the Dublin Castle, Lame Street. Originally built as a defensive fortress after the Norman invasion, the castle is now utilised by the Irish government for state receptions and Presidential inaugurations. Guided tours of the castle run Monday through Saturday.
Surrounding Area
No trip to Ireland would be complete without a traditional pub crawl. Leave the car at the hotel and enjoy a rural pub tour through one of the local tourist providers. Tours depart Dublin late in the afternoon/early evening and take you into Country Wicklow and the Dublin Mountains where you can experience a real country pub.
For the ‘gift of the gab’ take a day trip to picturesque Blarney Castle. Kiss the famous Blarney Stone and eternal eloquence will be yours.
The Fitzwilliam Hotel
5 Star Property
Chic, unique and boutique, The Fitzwilliam oozes urban style and is the place to be in the place to be. Overlooking St Stephen's Green and at the top of Grafton Street, a stir was created when this five-star hotel opened and they're still stirring. Packed full of calming comforts and intriguing Conran interiors. It continues to be one of the hippest venues in Dublin.
Burlington Hotel
4 Star Property
The Burlington hotel is located in the prestigious Ballsbridge area of Dublin city, just a 10-minute walk from Grafton Street & Stephens green. Everything about the Burlington Hotel has style making it one of Dublin city's most distinguished hotels.
O'Callaghan Davenport Hotel
4 Star Property
The O'Callaghan Davenport is conveniently located by Merrion Square within minutes walk of Trinity College and the main shopping are of Grafton Street. Its magnificent facade dates back to 1863 and is an elegant, well appointed and welcoming hotel which offers old world charm, combined with all the modern facilities dh3anded by guests.
The Gresham
4 Star Property
This deluxe 4-star-hotel is a landmark building in the very heart of Dublin that successfully combines traditional hospitality with modern comforts. This hotel is all set to entertain you with modern facilities and world-class hospitality.
The Merrion
4 Star Property
Converted from 4 magnificent Georgian townhouses, The Merrion Hotel sets the benchmark for Dublin hotels. Painstakingly restored to its 18th century splendour, it boasts one of the most important private art collections in Ireland. With magnificent Rococo Stucco plasterwork ceilings, the hotel stands directly opposite Government Buildings in the heart of Dublin.
Arlington Hotel Th3ple Bar
4 Star Property
The bustling Temple Bar is at the throbbing heart of Dublin's nightlife, and this beautiful Arlington Hotel Temple Bar is home to the stylish Parliament Hotel which is perfect for weekend breaks. The shops, restaurants, sights, bars and clubs of this vibrant city are on your doorstep, while the stylish interior and the comfy rooms are ideal for sleeping off last night's excesses.
Dining
Dublin hosts a young and vibrant night scene with almost half its population under the age of 25. Popular night spots can be found along Harcourt, Camden, Wexford and Leeson streets. Frequented by locals, they tend to avoid the ‘ye olde Irish’ marketing ploys used to draw people in.
At Gallagher’s Boxty House at 20 Temple Bar you’ll find generous serves of traditional Irish food. Sit by the peat fireplace and find warm comfort in their Irish stew, Gaelic pancakes and bread and butter pudding.
Visiting celebrities can often be seen dining amongst the minimalist décor at uber cool, The Tea Room. Menu staples include foie gras, trout and Irish game. The Clarence Hotel, 8 Wellington Quay.
Great value fish and chips can be found wrapped in paper with chunky chips and sinful batter at Leo Burdock’s, 2 Werburgh St.
Shopping
Shopping centres are prolific throughout Dublin. The largest of which are Arnotts at 12 Henry St and Clerys at 27 Lower O’Connell St. From Armani through to Zegna, you’ll find your favourite luxury brands at Brown Thomas, located at 88 Grafton St.
Dublin is also home to a thriving market culture. The Blackberry Fair flea market at 42 Rathmines Rd has a great range of second-hand books and furniture. The Art Market held each weekend at Merrion Square is the perfect place to source locally made pieces. Don’t leave Dublin without buying some fresh fruit and flowers from perennial favourite, Moore St Markets. Open Monday through Saturday there’s a great mix of food cultures from around the world. Close to bars and restaurants, the market turns into a popular meeting point for locals on Friday and Saturday nights.
