Page 4 | Can I go to Dublin for lunch?

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 2024-08-17T17:22:55+00:00

DD (nearly 13) wants to go to every country in the world. We are currently on holiday in her 11th country. Her birthday is just before October half term. I was considering taking her to Dublin for the day (she has not been to Ireland, only NI). The flights from our local-ish airport leave at 8:45 am, arrive at 10 am, then return at 18:20 pm. I've never been to Dublin, and I've only ever ferry-ed to Ireland. How long will it take to travel from the airport to the city centre? Do we need to leave 2hrs to pass through check in and security as if we were going further abroad? I know people go to Dublin on business, but it feels like if we don't get to the city until around 11am, and have to leave at say 15:30, then we're hardly there at all!!

Darkdiamond · 17/08/2024 23:36

DownNative · 17/08/2024 23:31

Not at all because these two statements are both true:

Ireland is an island
Ireland is not an island.

Indeed, as @Janedoe82 points out, Northern Ireland is significantly different to the Republic of Ireland. After all, they ARE two different jurisdictions and divergent significantly after more than 100 years which is normal.

Nobody uses the same name for Scotland as for the island it sits on. Nor does Scotland have close to the same historical issues the last 100+ years.

Not the same situation at all.

Indeed, in the lists of Sovereign States in the world, Northern Ireland is NOT listed as part of the Republic of Ireland...is it? Like Scotland, it comes under United Kingdom.

Either way, partition is a reality and the OP did nothing wrong in making a very clear distinction between the two. Visiting Northern Ireland does not count as Visiting the Republic of Ireland. And vice versa. 🤷‍♂️

Show quote history

I'm actually a Down native myself, and know this as I was raised close to the border, but I misinterpreted the OP as I explained above.

Kelly51 · 17/08/2024 23:40

If your daughter has been to Northern Ireland she has been to Ireland.
Seriously? ROI is separate from NI, would you tell someone who has visited England they've been to Wales?

theduchessofspork · 17/08/2024 23:55

Kelly51 · 17/08/2024 23:40

If your daughter has been to Northern Ireland she has been to Ireland.
Seriously? ROI is separate from NI, would you tell someone who has visited England they've been to Wales?

The PP has explained she was distracted by cold chips..

Copperoliverbear · 18/08/2024 05:38

Yes, you will love it. X

nightmaries · 18/08/2024 06:27

Look you can obviously visit Dublin for lunch.

But Perhaps thwres a conversation to be had on the plan of every country in the world rather than giving into it. For example -

Has she been made aware that certain countries are profoundly unsafe to visit? As in, not temporary rioting or flooding but chronic long standing insecurity and violence?

Is she aware that certain countries will ban you from entering overtly or covertly if you've visited some other countries they consider enemy states? Will India lef you enter easily if you've visited Pakistan and vice versa?

Is she aware that not everywhere can be visited without planes and the financial and environmental costs of that?

Sparklesandbeer · 18/08/2024 06:34

I did day in Dublin. 7am flight and 9pm back. It was great bus was about 30 min as pps said, we got hop on hop off bus around city

CeruleanBelt · 18/08/2024 07:35

Op i did a day trip to Dublin years ago - my friend bought me a ticket but didn't stretch to a hotel. It was such a long, long tiring day but we did get loads done and seen - went on a horse and carriage ride round the Georgian crescent and a park, went to see Oscar Wilde statue, went to St Stephens Green, the book of kells and the library at trinity college which was surprisingly interesting, and we had a guinness in an Irish pub which was doing Irish music.

You can pack a lot in, even if just going for a walk around the city after your lunch you'll see a lot.

CeruleanBelt · 18/08/2024 07:37

nightmaries · 18/08/2024 06:27

Look you can obviously visit Dublin for lunch.

But Perhaps thwres a conversation to be had on the plan of every country in the world rather than giving into it. For example -

Has she been made aware that certain countries are profoundly unsafe to visit? As in, not temporary rioting or flooding but chronic long standing insecurity and violence?

Is she aware that certain countries will ban you from entering overtly or covertly if you've visited some other countries they consider enemy states? Will India lef you enter easily if you've visited Pakistan and vice versa?

Is she aware that not everywhere can be visited without planes and the financial and environmental costs of that?

She's 13. She's allowed a bucket list.

I've got stuff on mine I'll probably never do now due to money/time. But it doesn't mean I'm not allowed a dream! If she wants to aim for every country, who cares?

CeruleanBelt · 18/08/2024 07:38

Op also didn't ask for a lesson on Irish politics so why are people banging on about that?

AgileDreamer · 18/08/2024 07:40

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines - previously banned poster.

villainousbroodmare · 18/08/2024 07:51

Fly to Shannon, go to Bunratty Castle for the day and fly back. Far better experience.

Marshmallowtoastie · 18/08/2024 07:52

Some of these responses are ridiculous

it sounds like a lovely idea op, I hope your daughter has an amazing birthday, what a fun way to spend it.

faffadoodledo · 18/08/2024 07:59

Maybe it was just my bad luck but Dublin airport ime is a nightmare to get out of. And often subject to seemingly baffling delays.
DS and his wife lived there for a couple of years so we visited several times.
Can you fly to Cork or another city instead.
Dublin's public transport is a bit urgh unless you happen to be on the Dart. I expect a Dubliner will correct me. But that was my experience as a frequent visitor.

Royalshyness · 18/08/2024 08:04

You might be able to get the hop on hop off bus your op in that time- the drivers are so nice and funny !!!

Mabelthebore · 18/08/2024 08:22

faffadoodledo · 18/08/2024 07:59

Maybe it was just my bad luck but Dublin airport ime is a nightmare to get out of. And often subject to seemingly baffling delays.
DS and his wife lived there for a couple of years so we visited several times.
Can you fly to Cork or another city instead.
Dublin's public transport is a bit urgh unless you happen to be on the Dart. I expect a Dubliner will correct me. But that was my experience as a frequent visitor.

Dublin airport is pretty big so it takes a while to get out of. Maybe 15 minutes walk to passport control. Not sure if Brexit has affected how quickly you get through passport control but the EU channel is always fairly quick. To get to the city you can take Aircoach or public bus. Aircoach is more comfortable and more expensive. For the public bus you need coins ( exact fare as they don't give change) or a leap card. Its not far to the centre but takes about 30 minutes on the bus due to stops/traffic etc. Make sure you know where to get the bus back to the airport from. The bus will pass through O'Connell Street. You are best to stay on the bus and go to the Grafton Street area as its nicer for walking around/eating etc. You could easily walk around Temple Bar, Trinity College, Grafton Street ( and side streets) and St. Stephens Green in a couple of hours. Weather in October could be bright and sunny or cold and wet! I hope she enjoys.

TerfTalking · 18/08/2024 08:27

DD lives in Leeds, her friend lives in Dublin, she has been known to take the first and last Ryan Air of the day out of Leeds/Bradford and fly to meet her friend whose born and bred there so no time was wasted on thinking what to do where to go.

if you’re flight time is short, do it.

WickieRoy · 18/08/2024 09:09

faffadoodledo · 18/08/2024 07:59

Maybe it was just my bad luck but Dublin airport ime is a nightmare to get out of. And often subject to seemingly baffling delays.
DS and his wife lived there for a couple of years so we visited several times.
Can you fly to Cork or another city instead.
Dublin's public transport is a bit urgh unless you happen to be on the Dart. I expect a Dubliner will correct me. But that was my experience as a frequent visitor.

Doubt any of us will correct you re the transport - even the official Dublin Airport account tweets jokes about its complete lack of connectivity.

Soccergearmissingagain · 18/08/2024 10:26

Another option is to fly in to Cork airport, which as pp have said is much less busy - and to take the bus from there to Kinsale for lunch. Kinsale is a lovely small town by the sea that has the reputation of being the foodie capital of ireland. I think the 226 bus connects the two but not sure of the logistics of it all so you'd have to check it out. Cork airport is situated on the Kinsale road out of the city so you shouldn't have traffic delays at least, though you might have to wait for a bus. I think they run hourly.

Bjorkdidit · 18/08/2024 10:57

Yes, thanks for those who've mentioned Cork. However, the only scope for a northern England to Cork day trip is on a Wednesday from Manchester with Ryanair Which is something that's doable to me and likely that I will do as an 'extreme day trip' so hopefully this is also something the OP can do.

BlackForestCake · 18/08/2024 18:15

Has she been made aware that certain countries are profoundly unsafe to visit? As in, not temporary rioting or flooding but chronic long standing insecurity and violence?

The OP's DD is only 13. Who knows what political changes will happen during her lifetime?

When I was 13 there were countries that were safe that now aren't safe, and vice versa, and quite a few countries that now don’t exist any more.

littlebilliie · 21/08/2024 19:01

Anyway I'm invested in things to do on the day quirky places to visit and somewhere nice to eat!

RandyBentwick · 22/08/2024 10:03

faffadoodledo · 18/08/2024 07:59

Maybe it was just my bad luck but Dublin airport ime is a nightmare to get out of. And often subject to seemingly baffling delays.
DS and his wife lived there for a couple of years so we visited several times.
Can you fly to Cork or another city instead.
Dublin's public transport is a bit urgh unless you happen to be on the Dart. I expect a Dubliner will correct me. But that was my experience as a frequent visitor.

Best buses to city are Dublin Express or Aircoach.