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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:
toadasoda · 21/08/2023 14:17

@Rogerstreasures They sound like a bunch of dicks. Unfortunately they exist everywhere.

I lived in Dublin for a few years and times change so quickly, the things I disliked about Dublin seem to no longer exist. It was all trendy pretentious expensive cafes and bars. New places opening every weekend with queues just to be seem to be there. Rich trendy people everywhere in the city centre. Construction everywhere, roadworks everywhere. That was during boom time and my goodness did it change quickly. I much preferred the post recession Dublin, from the 2010s on, the city had a really cool vibe. I visit a lot maybe 3 /4 times a year but maybe get to the city once a year. I enjoy it but glad I don't live there.

andyourpointiswhat · 21/08/2023 14:58

There is no “hype”. You didn’t enjoy your weekend, lots of people were probably there the same time and had a great weekend. I am baffled by your comment about the buses, other people passed you to tap on while you were dithering, maybe they were all supposed to stand back so the tourist could have a good experience, British public transport users are so tolerant like that!

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 21/08/2023 15:01

I love Dublin! Most people I know who haven’t liked it spent all weekend in temple bar and surrounding areas. It’s the same as spending all weekend in Liecester square!

Finlesswonder · 21/08/2023 15:08

@Lastqueenofscotland2
Very patronising?

I grew up there and don't like it.

NewYorkFirstTimer · 21/08/2023 15:10

Utterly boring and way too expensive

TruthThatsHardAsSteel · 21/08/2023 15:11

Come to Belfast instead 😁

MrsFiddle · 21/08/2023 15:17

The only time I went I was horrified to see security guards on the door of fairly crap shops there. The Temple Bar area was small and uninspiring. We stayed at the Shelbourne which was lovely but even Brown Thomas was limited .

Berlinlover · 21/08/2023 15:20

AffIt · 21/08/2023 14:00

I'm not mad about it - found it grey and a bit sad, like Glasgow in the early 90s, except about 100 x more expensive (source: am Glaswegian).

I far prefer Belfast, although if we're talking about cities in the south, Galway is nice.

Galway is in the west.

Forgoodnesssakewhatnow · 21/08/2023 15:22

Been 5 times (not actively chosen to go since the first). Each time I found people really rude and apart from drinking not much to do.

It’s the worst city break I’ve been on.

MrsMitford3 · 21/08/2023 15:23

Was in Dublin a couple of months ago and was def very underwhelmed.

Don't think we stayed in a very nice bit but got very very dodgy after dark.

Not that it is possible to know a city after a weekend but where we were was very tatty, crowded with tourists (like me I know) and expensive.

Not a great impression tbh

3luckystars · 21/08/2023 15:23

It is disgusting and dangerous, and also very dear. It is full of drugs and dirty also.

All the Ds.
And I wouldn’t darken the door.
So dare.

Daffodildilys · 21/08/2023 15:23

Dirty syringes littering the streets.
friend got her handbag stolen in a cafe.
Witnessed a man get his jacket stolen in a cafe.
My memories of Dublin on a two night stay.

KnutonHardz · 21/08/2023 15:25

I don't really like Dublin either. I've been there many times, always work related. It's not a place I'd consider to go on vacation or a city break, or a place that I've ever recommended to friends. Having said that, I'm very much of the same opinion with respect to Belfast, and I'm from that general area. Different people like things places and things, that's normal.

SkaneTos · 21/08/2023 15:26

I love Dublin!

Teawaster · 21/08/2023 15:29

@Berlinlover , it's just a saying for all of the Republic of Ireland generally if living in NI. I am from ROI and live in NI. I often now refer to ROI as 'Down South'.
As regards Dublin, I live there years ago and hated it. However it improved a lot over the years and became quite cosmopolitan. I have noticed it becoming a bit grotty and dingy in parts in recent years again.
Belfast is ok, improved a lot over the years but doesn't have the architectural grandeur that Dublin does. However it's an easy access gateway for beautiful non touristy places and I love living here, well outside of Belfast .

romdowa · 21/08/2023 15:30

Dublin is a filthy hole! I've been several times over the years and I hate it. Cork is the same and limerick. Waterford is nice but very small. I think the nicest city in Ireland really is galway

3luckystars · 21/08/2023 15:37

Galway is lovely.

Toddlerteaplease · 21/08/2023 15:40

I went a few years ago and just didn't get it either. Same with Edinburgh.

Pluffe · 21/08/2023 15:42

Moredarkchocolateplease · 21/08/2023 13:06

You all realise that Temple Bar is a bit like Leicester Sq?

But if you for instance like Clapham or Kensington or chi chi parts of north London, you'd be better off going out to Monkstown or Dalkey where there isn't any visible drug taking and the pints are much cheaper?!

Exactly! We’re on the south side and rarely go into the city.

PieRSquared · 21/08/2023 15:42

English and living in Cork for many years, and I'd certainly recommend it as a place to visit. Never cared much for Limerick or Waterford, but liked Kilkenny and Galway a lot more. "a bit grotty and dingy" could well be applied to both Dublin and Belfast, two places I'd never again plan to visit. Then again, being from Birmingham area I'd NEVER recommend that as a location either :)

LookItsMeAgain · 21/08/2023 15:46

Two drinks for €25?? Where were you buying them? What were they??

The Leap Card tapping machine is either available by putting your card flat on the machine that the driver can issue tickets from and you put your cash into, or there is a separate machine to the left of the driver that, yes, other passengers will push by you to be able to board the bus. They are the only machines that can validate a trip on board.

Any post on this board where someone says that they are thinking of going to visit Dublin for any length of time, I recommend getting a Visitor Leap Card or a general Leap card so you can be part of the queue to board the bus and tap on. Cash is no longer king on Dublin transportation (unless it's a taxi).

Yes there are dirty areas - there are also lots of lovely well kept areas too in the capital.

Based on the examples you've given in your post, yeah I think you're being unreasonable about Dublin.

But hey, you don't get the hype so you don't have to revisit. That's ok too.

MrsMarzetti · 21/08/2023 15:48

First visited 35 years ago and it was rough, women begging on the street with their children. Went again 20 years ago it had changed for the better, more prosperous and much much cleaner, went back just before the pandemic and wondered what the hell they had done to the place, went back last year and vowed i would never go back. It is a expensive dump these days.

Banquosfeast · 21/08/2023 15:51

James Joyce’s view of Dublin…..’shite and spite.’

JaneJeffer · 21/08/2023 15:57

That accent needs a bit of working on Gerard Butler. @3luckystars

3luckystars · 21/08/2023 16:03

😀