Living in Dublin

Whether you are staying for a couple of months, a few years or longer, Dublin is an easy going city. The pace of life is generally relaxed and you will notice a certain lack of ‘black and white’ in the average Dubliners’ approach to life, which is replaced by a tendency to give everything a go. Depending on what you are used to, this can be very liberating or somewhat confusing. Go with the flow, watch what the locals do and you may find that the quality of life makes up for the rather steep cost of living which ranks among the highest in Europe. Few places in Europe can rival Dublin in the amount and quality of its cultural activities. If you live in Dublin, you are getting world class entertainment in a relatively small and manageable city.

Which Area To Stay In
Dublin is a city of subtle contrasts and the area you live in will help to shape your Dublin experience, both positively and negatively. So choose according to your requirements and tastes within your budget. If you are looking for a place to rent or buy, the Northside generally speaking offers you more value for your money. While the Southside may be pricier, it has some of the most picturesque seaside villages and sceneries, particularly in South County Dublin. Newer areas like Blanchardstown, Sandyford and Tallaght offer the cheapest rents and property prices, but generally these places offer limited amenities and precious little of Dublin’s real flavour has rubbed off here. Please see our Dublin Area Guide for more information

Food Shopping In Dublin
The larger Supermarkets are mainly located on the outskirts. The main supermarket chains in Dublin are Tesco, Dunnes Stores, Super Valu and Superquinn. In the city centre, you will find one Dunnes Store in the Stephens Green shopping centre and one in the Ilac centre. Discount supermarkets Lidl and Aldi tend to be cheaper and are present in the city centre - on Moore Street and Parnell Street respectively - and also in some locations on the outskirts. There are smaller Londis, Centra and Spar convenience stores all over town, serving residential areas. Convenience stores are more expensive than the other shopping options but are usually only a short walk away and often open late. The one thing Dubliners are very spiffy about is the quality of their meat and you will find more butchers in Dublin than any other type of shop. Ask locally for a recommendation. If you desire some more exotic foodstuffs, try one of the many ethnic Asian, Afro-Caribbean and Eastern European shops in town. See our Shopping section for more detail.

Dublin On A Budget
Dublin offers a large number of free events all year round. Check out our events section for more information. For free use of computers and free internet access you can go to your local branch of the Dublin City Library. Many of Dublin’s museums and galleries are free. Check out our Attractions section for more detail. An increasing number of ethnic restaurants offer good value meals and our Restaurants section has recommendations for every budget size.

Dublin For Kids
Dublin is a very child friendly city and you will soon notice the large number of kids everywhere. As a result, restaurants, shops and even pubs are well used to kids and will cater to them without batting an eyelid. Please note that kids accompanied by an adult are only allowed in pubs until 21:00. Dublin offers many attractions which are geared towards children, such as Dublinia in the city centre or Imaginosity in Sandyford. Dublin City Libaries are a major resource to parents with children. Simply visit your local library for hours of reading fun, arts and crafts workshops or information on kids’ events organised by Dublin City council. The Hugh Lane Gallery regularly organises workshops for kids which are typically free of charge. Dublin also hosts a large number of free events throughout the year that include kiddy friendly entertainment. Check out our Events section for more detail.

Dublin Parks
For a city of more than 1 million inhabitants, Dublin is surprisingly green. There are more than 3,500 acres of parkland within the inner city alone, not counting parks on the outskirts. The most popular parks in Dublin are Phoenix Park which incorporates Dublin Zoo, St. Stephen's Green and Merrion Square in the city centre, St. Anne's Park in Clontarf, Marlay Park in Rathfarnham, Herbert Park in Ballsbridge and Bushy Park in Terenure. Dublin's parks brim with activities. Many parks have a few Gaelic football, rugby and soccer pitches. All are landscaped with spacious lawn areas framed by trees, inviting you for a picnic or an outdoors game of frisbee, boules or whatever strikes your fancy. Marlay Park on the Southside and the park at Malahide Castle in Malahide host open air concerts throughout the summer.

Dublin For Active Types
Dubliners are big into football, both the classic soccer and the Gaelic variety, and you will see the Dublin colours – pale blue and dark blue - on replica jerseys on young and old. If you want to get stuck in and play a bit of footie yourself, there are various five-a-side leagues in most parts of town. Watch out for information on amateur sports at work, most business and industrial parks in Dublin have organized sorting activities going on. There are gyms, swimming pools and fitness centres for every budget. Golf is a popular pastime with Dubliners of all backgrounds and it is not the kind of exclusive, high brow affair it is in many other countries. Yes, there are some pretty posh clubs around, but you are just as likely to see a couple of lads carrying a few clubs on the way to their local council course. Or why not make the most of living at the seaside and learn to sail or take up kite surfing? For more information, please see our Sports section.

Dublin for Night Owls
Dublin is a city devoted to the pursuit of the craic, the Irish word for having a good time. There are endless entertainment options as the city’s theatres, cinemas and music venues vie for your attention after dark. Dublin’s nightlife is legendary and the atmosphere in its pubs and night clubs is hard to beat. Music is in the air everywhere, both traditional Irish and the latest pop sounds. You can get a taste of a bit of everything Dublin has to offer in the Temple Bar area or go and explore the city’s other happening spots. Please see our Nightlife section for more detail.

Counselling In Dublin
Since the 1980's the number of counselling services and practitioners in Dublin has increased steadily. In general terms, a counsellor listens to your problems and supports you in finding a solution of your own. Counselling sessions aim to provide a safe and supportive environment helping you to work through an issue in total confidentiality. You will now find a wide selection of specialist counsellors dealing with issues such as stress, bereavement, depression, eating disorders, drugs and alcohol addiction, illness, relationship problems, physical abuse and sexual abuse. The Irish Association For Counselling And Psychotherapy (IACP) in Bray, County Dublin, has some 2,500 members and can help you find an accredited member near you. IACP operates a telephone helpline for individuals, couples, children, teenagers, families, professionals and organisations. You can contact IACP at +353 (01) 272 3427
www.irish-counselling.ie