How to meet people in Dublin

Moving somewhere new can be daunting. But spending time with other new arrivals who have shared your experience can really help you to settle in. There are also plenty of ways to make friends with local Dubs.

Here are some tips to help you meet new people in Dublin.

Seeking out other expats

If you want to meet up with your fellow nationals in the city, both Meetup and InterNations run groups that can make that happen. There’s already some meetups like American expats.

Alternatively, you could try one of Dublin’s many thriving expat associations for people from different countries. There’s associations for private individuals, like Oi for Brazilians. There’s also associations for business people, such as the Spanish ISEA and the Ireland India Business Association.

Many universities and colleges also have societies run by and for students from various countries. For example, Trinity College Dublin has a Chinese Society, while UCD runs an Arab Society. So, if you’re a student, be sure to check what’s on offer at your college.

Getting to know the locals

Meetup is also useful if you are interested in making friends with the locals. The site enables you to find people that share a specific interest. There’s groups for everything from astronomy and hiking, to soccer and surfing.

Each Meetup is different, so the regularity and location of these get-togethers vary. But it can be a great way to seek out like-minded people and make friends in Dublin.

If you’re looking for one-off events, like concerts, comedy gigs or festivals, Eventbrite is an excellent resource. Many of its listings are free too.

Dublin.ie’s own What’s On page also highlights a huge range of events and activities that are taking place throughout the city. The page is updated regularly, so it’s worth checking out for your weekend plans.

Socialising is also a big part of Irish culture, so expect invites to join your colleagues and classmates after hours. This practice is particularly common in multinational companies that tend to hire the largest number of international staff.

If all else fails, signing up to volunteer your time to a good cause is a great way to meet friendly and open-minded people in the city. Helping-out a local organisation can really make you feel like part of the community too.

Language exchanges in Dublin

Taking part in a language exchange is a great way to meet both internationals and locals in Dublin.

At these events, speakers of different languages come together to practice conversing in one another’s mother tongue. You’ll meet Irish people studying a language in school or college that want to practice speaking your native language with you. Then, you can practice speaking English with them. Because everyone is learning it removes any shyness or embarrassment from the situation too.

Dublin’s Central Library and Language Exchange Ireland regularly organise language exchanges in Dublin.

If you can manage to connect with people and build up a close-knit group of friends around you, living in Dublin will be a much better experience. So don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and try our tips.

For other advice on getting settled in the city, check out our guide on moving to Dublin.