Life in Dublin

Like other capital cities, Dublin offers great amenities, tons of job opportunities, a thriving social scene and a cosmopolitan environment. However, Dublin life is completely unique in many ways too.

Why Dublin is different

There are a whole host of reasons to live in Dublin but surprisingly much of its strength comes from its compact size. Dublin is relatively small, low rise and is home to just under 1.5 million people. As a result, the city is easy to navigate and many of its residents get from A to B by foot or bike.

City life without the drawbacks

Life in Dublin offers all the perks of city living but it manages to maintain an easy-going vibe. You won’t experience the rushing and pushing that’s common in other capital cities. Irish people are generally known for being polite, friendly and laid back.

Whether you relocate to Dublin for work or study, you’re sure to get an invite to the local pub. As a cornerstone of Ireland’s social scene, they come in many forms. There’s small and cosy cottage pubs right through to multi-storey sports bars.

For those who prefer dry nights out, Dublin city centre recently welcomed its first booze-free bar. There are tons of cafés, markets, eateries and parks where you can hang out as well.

A capital city with beautiful scenery

The mountains and coast surrounding Dublin also offer a quick escape into nature. Many hiking routes and swimming spots are accessible by public transport and provide locals with a break away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

While Ireland is famous for its rainfall, Dublin’s position on the country’s east coast means it’s sunnier than other parts of the country. The weather is usually mild whatever the season. So a little bit of rain doesn’t stop Dubliners from getting out and about. Whether you enjoy urban living or scenic walks, the Dublin lifestyle offers the best of both worlds.

If you want to know more about the city’s culture, people, transport or neighbourhoods, check out the articles below for more detailed information on what you can expect from day-to-day life in Dublin.

image of oscar wilde statue with green coat and blue trousers in merrion park

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The people and culture of Dublin

Dublin-born icon, Oscar Wilde wrote, "It is absurd to divide people into good and bad. People are either charming or tedious!" If there's one thing that's central to Dubliners, it's the dry wit you'll find here; the tongue-in-cheek, good-hearted humour that makes teasing just as much a sign of the welcome as it is part of the vernacular. The biggest draw to Dublin has to be its people. They’re the reason the city was recently voted in the top 10 friendliest cities in the world; why it has the greatest nightlife; why its art and culture is some of the most influential and vibrant to be found anywhere.

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History and society

Dublin’s history stretches back over a millennium. Back in the fourth century, the first known settlement here was built in the Cornmarket area of the city centre. It was called Áth Cliath – which means ‘Hurdled Fort’ and continues to inspire the modern Irish translation today. Since then, the city has seen many different settlers and undergone many changes. A timeline of Dublin’s history Around the sixth century, a monastery named Duiblinn – which is Irish for ‘blackpool’ – was founded. This is where the Vikings eventually arrived in the year 841. After the Anglo-Norman invasion in 1170, Dublin became the capital of the En

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FAQs about day-to-day life in Dublin

Often, it’s only when you arrive in a new destination that questions about everyday life crop up. Will I need an adaptor to charge my phone? Do I need to bring a raincoat? We’ve rounded up FAQs about life in Dublin to address the queries you didn’t even know you had. What is the Dublin climate like? There’s tons of reasons to live in Dublin. But the weather probably isn’t one of them. Ireland’s climate could be described as mild, moist and changeable. Dublin gets about 730mm (28 inches) of rain a year – more than London or Paris, but less than Copenhagen

ryanair flight landing at Dublin Airport

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Travelling to Dublin

Although Ireland is an island nation, Dublin is closely connected to the rest of Europe by air and sea – and to the rest of the island by road and rail. Flights from Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Berlin and Luxembourg all take two hours or less. While flights coming to Dublin from UK locations like London, Liverpool and Edinburgh are even shorter. Whether you plan to travel for business or pleasure, Dublin is a great base for your journeys. It’s just one of the many perks of living in the city. Getting to Dublin by air In 2019, Dublin Airport was one of the top 20 in Europe for connectiv

Dublin buses

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Getting Around: Transport in Dublin

There are plenty of options for getting from A to B in Dublin. It is a fairly compact city, which means walking and cycling are viable options. You can walk from many of the city’s outlying districts to its centre in around 30 or 40 minutes. But the public transport in Dublin is pretty good too. It’s one of the benefits that comes with living in the city. Public transport Getting around Dublin by bus Dublin Bus connects most parts of the city through a network of over 100 routes.

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The four Dublin council areas

Dublin city stretches across 115km² while the entire county covers just 921km². Despite its compact size, because of its status as Ireland’s capital city, Dublin has a lot going on. That’s why the county is split into four local authorities: Dublin City Council Fingal County Council South Dublin County Council Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council

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Dublin neighbourhoods

An introduction to the districts of Dublin The River Liffey flows through the centre of Dublin dividing it in two. Traditionally, the north side of the river was home to the city’s working class residents, while the south side was associated with Dublin’s middle and upper classes. However, this is changing as neighbourhoods like Smithfield, Stoneybatter and Clontarf to the north become gentrified. Today, the county would be more accurately described as having a west-east division. Although there isn’t any river drawing a line between the two areas, the east side of Dublin is generally considered to be more affluent – particularly along the coast.