I spent six weeks at American College Dublin this past summer and it was the trip of a lifetime. Dublin is a much underrated city which offers much in the ways of culture and general experience. The ACD staff is nothing but helpful, especially the program advisor Colum who is always available for questions about academics, travel, Irish adventures, and much more. The school itself, though small, offers the intimate academic setting which inspires discussion based classes and student direction debate. There is absolutely no better way to learn about Irish history, culture, business, or language than in the country itself. Having taken History of Ireland at my home institution, I can see the merit in taking culturally relevant courses in the applicable setting. I highly recommend this program to students looking to expand their horizons not only in the classroom, but also in life.
What to bring
Dublin is a very expensive city and with the dollar to Euro exchange rate the way it is, it costs even more. I recommend you bring everything you can that you plan on using during your stay in Dublin. Items such as shampoos, deodorants, and perfumes are often different over there and it is best to bring them to ensure a comfortable stay.
- Toiletries
- Shampoo/conditioner
- Soap
- Face wash
- Shaving cream
- Razor
- Hairspray, etc.
- Blow drier, hair straightener, etc
- Make sure to bring the appropriate converters and applicators or you risk the chance of blowing your appliance circuit.
- Clothes
- The weather in Dublin in the summer is unpredictable so you should plan by packing a variety of different outfits. Everyone is different in what they plan to do while abroad so you should think about that as you pack.
- For instance, if you plan on going to the many bars or clubs in Dublin (highly recommend at least once for the experience) I would bring a few “going out” outfits with heels as there are dress codes enforced in Dublin.
- You need to bring a rain jacket and umbrella. You will, no doubt, run across some rain while here and it is best to be prepared.
- The sun does come out so shorts, capris, and jeans/slacks will all be beneficial to have while here.
- Bring at least one “loungy” outfit for rainy days (such as comfortable sweatpants and sweatshirt).
- Bring sunglasses!
- Bring plenty of underwear as it is sometimes hard to get the washer/dryer right when you want it so you should make sure to have at least one extra clean outfit at all times!
- Bring good shoes for walking! Dublin is a relatively small city and you will be walking a lot! At least one pair of running/hiking shoes for when you leave Dublin and comfortable shoes that can take a lot of walking while still being comfortable.
- You can get a gym membership if you wish and so you should plan accordingly if you plan on working out while in Dublin.
- Bring one nicer outfit (semi casual dress or skirt for girls and slacks and dress shirt for guys) in case you go to a play or need to go someplace where dress attire is expected.
Money
Dublin is an expensive city and costs add up quickly when you realize all the little things you need to buy.
- I would plan on spending at least $1,000 (not euros) on food and the occasional drink for a six week stay. Even buying groceries at the store can add up quickly so be frugal from the beginning and you will not have to worry as much about food throughout your time here.
- The average pint is €5 and the average mixed drink is €7, although you can sometimes find good deals on weekday nights.
- Here are some examples of food and cost:
- McDonalds Double Cheesburger - €2
- Subway 6inch Sub - €5
- Loaf of bread- €1 (cheapest)
- Equivalent of 12oz soda - €0.75
- Avg. Fish and chips at pub - €9.95
- Box of cereal - €4-6
- Box of crackers - €1.50-3.00
- Chocolate bar - €0.90
- It is important to remember that these prices are in Euros and you must convert your dollars to euros to understand the real cost of these items.
Travel
- If you plan on traveling while in Dublin, which is highly recommended, you should budget money for that. A bus ticket to Galway (a must see) was €18 for students return (roundtrip), a ticket to Cork (also amazing) was around €19 return, and a ticket to Belfast is around the same cost. An organized tour, such as the Paddy Wagon, run day trips, 2-day trips, and 3-day trips. These run between €50-€180, depending on the length of the trip. These trips have a lot of commentary and allow you to see much of the island.
- I would recommend allotting at least €200 euros for travel in Dublin. This would cover a two day Paddy Wagon and money for DART (train) tickets for some coastal trips.
- Traveling within the EU is also an option which I would recommend you think about before coming to Dublin. If you plan ahead you can get very cheap flights to major cities close to Ireland, this would require at least 2-3 weeks prior to the flight. If you plan from before your arrival in Dublin or once here you can get very good flight deals.
- Examples:
- Return flight to London - <€30
- Return flight to Edinburgh - <€40
- Return flight to Paris - <€90
- Return flight to Berlin - <€80
- These prices were all based on summer 2009 numbers.
- Examples:
- Here are some great tips for travel:
- Use the DART (two main stations in city) to see coastal towns such as Bray and Houth.
- Use Bus Eireann as it is affordable, reliable, and convenient.
- Use www.hostelworld.com to find legitamite hotels in the city you are staying
- Kinlay House in Galway has an incredible reputation and is the #1 hostel to stay in!
- Plan ahead! You get better deals which can save you a ton of money.
- If you want to travel in the EU look to see if you have a friend studying abroad in any place close – you can save a lot of money on room and board and it is also a great way to see a city as you have a built in tour guide!
- Some places have deals for specific weekends or times and you can get much more for your money.
- Look for festivals, concerts, etc ahead of time and book early. Dublin is a music hot spot and they have major names coming in regularly.
- Be smart about traveling. Do not travel alone to a foreign country you know littler about. Keep your passport and money in a safe place.
Dublin
- Places to visit in Dublin:
- Phoenix Park (Dublin Zoo is €12.50 and is smaller than most city zoos but if you want to go to a zoo it is your best option!)
- Grafton Street (best to visit at day and night as the street performers keep you entertained throughout!)
- St. Stephens Green (amazing park)
- National Gallery (right by school and free!)
- All National museums including Natural History, National Library, etc.
- National Museum – Collins Barracks (right on the DART line and a true piece of history)
- Guinness Factory (€11 with a free pint)
- Jameson Distillery (€10 with tasting at conclusion with very entertaining guided tour)
- Croke Park (best to see a GAA game there if at all possible)
- National Archives (only worth while if you know a substantial amount about your family’s genealogy. You should come with first names, surnames, dates, locations, etc or you will not learn much at all.)
- Places to shop for groceries:
- Dunnes grocery off of Grafton street
- Marks and Spencers on Grafton
- Super Value off of Westmoreland St. before crossing the Liffey.
- Places to eat:
- Rooftop restaurant on top of M&S on Grafton (good food and decent prices)
- Any pub in town!
- There is a cheap pub on the corner of Westmoreland St before the Liffey which has great prices.
- Grafton Street has Burger King, McDonalds, and many restaurants and cafes
- There is a Subway of Nassau and Westmoreland St.
- Dame Street has many small eateries including places with kebabs, burgers, fish and chips, etc.
- Pubs/Clubs:
- Whalens on Camden Street (from PS I Love You)
- Doyle’s (right below College Street Apartments)
- Porter House (right by Grafton)
- Q Bar – 1 min walk from College St.
- 21 (club) – right by Q Bar off the Liffey
- All of Temple Bar!
- Purty’s Kitchen at the end of Temple Bar is the best!
- Captain America’s (karaoke on Wednesday’s with cheap drinks and American food – young)
- Dandelion (top of Grafton Street – great drinks, decent prices M-Th, and great atmosphere)
- Food and drinks to try in Ireland:
- Fish and chips (best to find a real Irish place, not just fast food)
- Kebab (chicken or doner – not Irish, but still good to try if you have never had one)
- Guinness
- Jameson
- Bailey’s
- Traditional Irish Breakfast
- Guinness Stew (or other Irish stew).