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Original poster

Does anyone else not like Dublin?

275 replies

tirkishdelighttt · 21/08/2023 09:37

First time in Dublin over the weekend and didn't get the hype
Really expensive (2 drinks 25 euro )
Some places in the city centre quite smelly /dirty
Some people rude especially on busses
I was paying my fare and they just pushed past me to tap the pass
I just don't get the hype of it

OP posts:
Wakintoblueskies · 22/08/2023 22:06

Regarding the visit to the Gaiety, j agree this shouldn't happen - however, you're incorrect to say it's located in a 'better' area. It's city centre, close to Temple Bar / Capel St & I wouldn't go from there to the quays either. I wouldn't feel unsafe, it would just be raucous & full of eejits.

I don't think its near Capel St. Its on the other side of the river.
If you wouldn't go there (on the southside of the city) and you wouldn't go to Temple Bar and you wouldn't go to Capel St (on the northside of the city) - where in the city centre IS safe or are you saying all of the city centre is to be avoided?

EarringsandLipstick · 22/08/2023 22:12

I don't think its near Capel St. Its on the other side of the river

Sorry! I'm tired tonight, doh - I mixed it up with the Olympia!

Yes it's city centre (but not other side of the river, they are both same side). I am not sure where you were going from there you were on the quays but I'm splitting hairs! (I'd get buses from Dawson St which then go up the quays but much easier to be on them from the earlier stop)

EarringsandLipstick · 22/08/2023 22:16

where in the city centre IS safe or are you saying all of the city centre is to be avoided?

Yes, sorry, my post was confused!!

I think a lot of the city centre needs to be treated cautiously at night, yes.

I don't typically feel unsafe at night - but I'll get the train / Dart rather than a bus (just as I think there's more antisocial behaviour on buses); I'd be fine being on Grafton St or side streets but would avoid quieter ones & yes, wouldn't much choose to be in the city centre at nighttime.

Equally at weekends, I like the city centre but will go in early, before it's crowded & I appreciate that's not necessarily going to help tourists.

The city centre was in a bad way post-Covid (and eg summer 2020 into 2021 I did feel unsafe - there were loads of gangs in bikes stealing phones, bags, & so many boarded up shops). It's improved massively but still too many shops closed up & not replaced.

Wakintoblueskies · 22/08/2023 22:35

I'd be fine being on Grafton St or side streets

The Gaiety is a minutes throw from Grafton St. It is on one of its side streets - yet still almost part of Grafton St itself as its still pedestrianised? The number of drunk/homeless/begging and general intimidating behaviour was awful. Walking along Grafton St itself was not ok either - drunk groups and a big line of people queueing for a food bank which was very sad to see.. At the end of Grafton St walking on the paths towards Trinity was ok. After Trinity it was awful. Simply awful. Never again.

Getting a train or a bus is neither here nor there. You have to walk to get to either of them. The area around Pearce Station wasn't great either and it was quiet which unnerved me too.

It is not the same as other cities where there are a few parts that must be avoided. In Dublin city its the opposite - there are only a few parts where it is safe. People need to be aware of that when going there. Otherwise they are in real danger.

asterdaisy · 23/08/2023 08:44

Cities that are nice to go to the city centre is fine. The areas you want to avoid are housing estates that you would not want to go to anyway as a tourist.
What is the point of going to Dublin as a tourist if you have to avoid the city centre.

StephanieSuperpowers · 23/08/2023 09:03

You're saying that like you're being subjected to some kind of pressure to go to Dublin against your will. It's fine if you don't want to go.

Radyward · 23/08/2023 09:17

What! Plans for riot police to be deployed into the city centre - great look that for tourists but shops / bars must be at crisis

JustLikeSugar · 23/08/2023 09:23

Not a huge fan of Dublin either. I've been there several times for work, and was lucky enough to be brought by colleagues to some great music events (even though I'm not a fan of traditional music), a big sporting event (hurley, didn't understand it but more fun than I've ever had at footbal) and lots of nice food. But I find it expensive. Belfast in contrast is much cheaper, but not a place I'd have any interest to go again. Never been to Galway.

Dirt, run down, drugs, homeless, grotty, drunk teens and street fights, not feeling super safe after dark? Sadly I had those same feeling in Dublin that I'd have in many of our cities (I'm English), or Cardiff, or Swansea. Mainland Europe seems do a much better job on maintaining city centre areas.

JustLikeSugar · 23/08/2023 09:25

Btw, I'm from near Bradford, I don't recommend it!! Stay away!!

DeanElderberry · 23/08/2023 09:57

There are world class museums and galleries in Dublin - not just the national Museums and National Gallery, but the Municipal Gallery, Chester Beatty Library, Kilmainham Jail - there is clearly a problem at the moment with mismanagement of housing provision and policing, but Dublin is still a fantastic city to visit.

gertrudemortimer · 23/08/2023 10:22

It's a shame so many posters didn't enjoy Dublin. I really liked Dublin when I visited for the first time in May. There was a heatwave which helps no matter where you are. My boyfriend is Irish so maybe that also helped as he knew the the places to avoid. We did all of the tourist stuff and even the boyfriend enjoyed dancing in temple bar to his shock. We went to Galway but didn't get to spend much time there as was visiting people but next time we'll probably stay put. We went to Connemara at the end of the trip which I can really recommend, the scenery was out of this world. I found everybody friendly and welcoming. Paris is the only city I would never return to, I did feel extremely unwelcome there!

Abhannmor · 23/08/2023 15:53

felisha54 · 22/08/2023 19:30

@Abhannmor

Belfast is way cheaper. You may feel safer in places where the pavements are painted red , white and blue. City centre pretty safe in fairness

Who would feel safer in places where the pavements are red, white and blue?

Not me that's for sure 😂. But some of the pp who think Dublin is full of rabid Anglophobes maybe?

WitheringTights000 · 27/09/2023 19:34

Coming back to this thread.

Think I have had to give up on the idea of living in London as it is just too pricey 🥹🥹

Dublin is 2 hours away from me and it's another place I have always loved and wanted to live in.

If I brought savings with me, say £15-20k?, would that keep me going for at least a while if I managed to secure employment before moving?

I have a very good UK health insurance policy AXA PPP, which I wouldn't want to get rid of as I have been able to access great private healthcare this year through it.

I also have dental cover in north of Ireland for not too expensive.

So perhaps could just go up home for anything medical?

I wouldn't be purchasing a car/bringing a car to Dublin!

I guess any non perishables in terms of food and also toiletries etc I could also get up home if that's more expensive!

Could I afford it?

WitheringTights000 · 27/09/2023 19:35

Also have read that Dublin is 12% cheaper than London so it is somewhat cheaper.

I would also be looking for a fully remote role which makes things a little trickier maybe

DyslexicPoster · 27/09/2023 19:36

Omg love Dublin. Very pricey for a short break but all of Ireland is great. You can get to so many places as day trips too.

StarlightGin · 27/09/2023 19:37

WitheringTights000 · 27/09/2023 19:35

Also have read that Dublin is 12% cheaper than London so it is somewhat cheaper.

I would also be looking for a fully remote role which makes things a little trickier maybe

Where did you read that?! It's absolutely not the case.

WitheringTights000 · 27/09/2023 19:41

@StarlightGin - I have literally just googled it this second. Cost of living in London is 13% more expensive than in Dublin'

According to www.expatistan.com

HarrietJet · 27/09/2023 19:42

WitheringTights000 · 27/09/2023 19:41

@StarlightGin - I have literally just googled it this second. Cost of living in London is 13% more expensive than in Dublin'

According to www.expatistan.com

I live in London and have family in Dublin so travel there frequently. I'm sceptical, I'm afraid.

WitheringTights000 · 27/09/2023 19:46

@HarrietJet - it's coming up on Google, rent etc cheaper.

I'm skeptical also but it does say that weirdly

HarrietJet · 27/09/2023 19:50

WitheringTights000 · 27/09/2023 19:46

@HarrietJet - it's coming up on Google, rent etc cheaper.

I'm skeptical also but it does say that weirdly

Oh, I wasn't doubting you!

WitheringTights000 · 27/09/2023 19:51

@HarrietJet - I mean I would like for it to be true haha...I'm hoping with some savings I maybe could?

I mean many move to Dublin from abroad to study probably without many funds

JaneJeffer · 27/09/2023 19:57

Also have read that Dublin is 12% cheaper than London so it is somewhat cheaper.
No way

PuttingTheGreen · 27/09/2023 19:58

I went in 2008.
We stayed in a hotel in front of the Liffey called The Clifton, on O' Connelly? street if iirc, it made Fawlty towers look 5 star.
I watched a man getting mugged from my room window.
We went to McDonald's to eat and found a security man on the door.
Went to a bar and a local threatened to throw us head first through the window before we'd even been served our drinks.
Never again!

WitheringTights000 · 27/09/2023 19:59

@PuttingTheGreen - lol I think your examples are a tad extreme. I've stayed in many nice hotels in Dublin, never had any bother.

What happened to you could happen anywhere

PuttingTheGreen · 27/09/2023 20:14

WitheringTights000 · 27/09/2023 19:59

@PuttingTheGreen - lol I think your examples are a tad extreme. I've stayed in many nice hotels in Dublin, never had any bother.

What happened to you could happen anywhere

It could, that's true.
However, I'm well travelled and I've never been threatened to be slung through a bar window just for ordering a drink.