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 Latinas and Españolas Sunday Coffee Meet Up, and 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 and Irlanda Italiana for Italians. There’s also associations for business people, such as the Spanish ISEA and the Ireland India Business Association.

Young couples walking on Killiney Hill

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.

Tradfest

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.

you might also like...

students from diverse backgrounds taking a photo

live

Diversity in the city

Living in Dublin comes with so many benefits, it’s no surprise that so many people are choosing to call the city home. In fact, at least 17% of the population hails from abroad. So you should settle into this diverse city no matter where you’re from. Dublin is considered one of the friendliest in the world, so newcome

new years eve festival Dublin

live

Festivals in Dublin

Dublin's festivals are many and varied, spanning every season and a broad range of interests. Some of the biggest are ones you might guess; but there's a whole host of more unusual – and no less enjoyable! – festivals on offer, just waiting to be joined.

live

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