Cricket on the Green at Trinity College**
Trinity College Information
Purchase tickets in the U.S. for shows in Dublin 1-800-223-6108 - EST
Dublin Tourist Information
A Services web site from the Irish Times. Info on Music, Theatre, Museums, & other tourist info.
A Guide to Dublin / Trinity College Visitor Information
Fodor's Smart Travel Tips for Dublin
International Home Exchange / The Internet Guide to Hostelling
[Note: These tips have been provided by former students and others. As we cannot keep prices updated, inflationary increases should be expected.]
Before you go:
Binding materials and tourist books: Most students want their course materials unbound so they only need carry what is necessary to class. Some students want them bound. It is cheaper to have them bound here than in Dublin. Also, buying your 'Let's Go Britain/Ireland' or 'Let's Go Europe' over there may cost you twice as much than if you purchased it here in the US. Also, call the Irish Tourist Board for FREE info at 1-800-223-6470.
Getting To Trinity College From The Airport
Once you come out of the Terminal, cross the street and look for the bus called "AIRCOACH". This bus runs every 15 minutes from Dublin Airport from 5:30am - 11:30pm to the City every day and drops you off practically outside of Trinity College main entrance gate. They will put away your luggage for you and you collect it when you get off the bus. However, if you have many pieces of luggage, your might want to take a taxi from the airport for about $42 -$47 straight to the Pearse St East entrance and have the taxi drive you to the Accommodations office.
. Aircoach departs from the City back to the Airport every 15 minutes from 5:30am - 10:30pm every day. Catch this same bus right next to the Irish Tourist Board that is located in the Old Church. Look for the sign for that bus right outside the Tourist Office walking up the street towards the Church, from the Molly Malone sculpture at the entrance to Grafton Street.
The AirCoaches are air conditioned Luxury Coaches. Trinity College is the 2nd stop from the Airport coming into the City. There are a total of 14 stops on the way to the airport from the City. The round trip cost is about $14.00 per adult. Accompanied Children are FREE (under the age of 12 up to 2 children). Here is their web site Aircoach for more information.
Via Public Transport from Airport - If you are staying at Trinity College and you do not have a lot of luggage, you can take the #16-A bus which will drop you off practically in front of Trinity College for about $4.00 each way.
NOT STAYING AT TRINITY COLLEGE: If you are not staying at Trinity and you do not have a place to stay yet, after collecting your luggage, find the Dublin Tourist booth on the 1st floor. They will help you find a B & B for about an $8 reservation charge (plus you pay for the B & B).
Housing At Trinity College:
Check-in at Trinity College is only from 2pm on 30 June and check-out is at 10am on 2 August. Unless you have arranged, a head of time to arrive earlier. When you arrive, go to the Accommodations Office (open 8am to midnight only), (you will receive a map of Trinity College when you arrive and a copy of one when you sign up from USD San Diego). Your taxi will be able to drive you directly to the Accommodations Office from the back gate (Pearse Street Gate East) and take you to your dorm if you ask them to wait. However, they may charge you. If so, then ask the Accommodations office if their shuttle van can take you.
If walking in the Main Entrance of Trinity College, go straight through the main arch, down to the end of the first grassy area and turn left. It's the door in the corner of the building on the right hand side. Here is a map of Trinity College, you will need Adobe reader to view it. (enlarge to 150% to read the captions) The staff and students working in the office are extremely helpful. If arriving after 6:30pm you will need to use the back gate (on Pearse Street Gate East) This gate is open until midnight, and your taxi will be able to drive you to the Accommodations Office and possibly to your dorm. Or if your walking towards the, the side entrance (Arts Building on Nassau St) to gain entrance, make your way to the Accommodations Office, it is a very long walk from the back and side entrance to get to the Accommodations Office. The Nassau St gate is open 8am - 10pm, Monday -Friday, and Saturday and Sunday from 8am - midnight only. This entrance is a pedestrian walk way only. The main front gate entrance into Trinity is closed and locked starting at midnight, Monday - Friday, but if you are a resident, you will have access through the front, you just need to show your room key card to the guard.
TRINITY COLLEGE: DORMS ARE CO-ED: There are no telephones in the rooms. Public phones are located in the Archway at the front of Trinity College and throughout the campus. There are no specific study areas set aside - just your living room/kitchen or the library (which is usually closed during 2 weeks of our program). There is a TV lounge. There are heaters in each room. Sheets, towels, pillows and cases, and blankets are provided. Maid service is twice weekly. Linens are changed weekly. If you are addicted to large bath towels or washcloths (as opposed to wash mitts), you should bring your own.
Sending Items Ahead To Trinity College:
You can only send small packages ahead of time to Trinity College. You cannot send luggage ahead of time they do not have the facilities to hold luggage for you. Small packages ONLY must be addressed as follows: Your name, University of San Diego, c/o Accommodation Office, West Chapel, Trinity College, Dublin 2 Ireland. If luggage is sent, it will be returned to sender and the sender will have to pay the fees for the returned items. Students might wish to search the Internet for "Storage Facilities" in Dublin that you might be able to ship large items to and then pick up once you have arrived in Dublin.
Apartment: If Looking To Rent An Apartment Off Campus:
In the past, there was a place called Home Locators for students on Dawson Street. There was no charge to students to find them apartments. You may have to show your International Student or Teacher I.D. Card. You can obtain this card through a STA Travel Agency near you. Click here for more details: STA, or if in San Diego at 953 Garnet Ave, San Diego CA 92109, 619-270-6402. USD students can purchase these International ID cards at the UC box office on campus. Cost: about $25. The required picture is an extra cost, so bring a passport size photo.
In Dublin, you may also go to the Irish Tourist Board. Go 1 (one) block outside the main entrance of Trinity College, cross the street on the left hand side then turn left at the 1st signal light and walk straight ahead. It's located in the old church straight ahead.
Childern And Child Care
If you are staying at Trinity College and have children accompanying you under the age of 14, then the rate would be about $55 per day either in the same room as you or in another room, depending on space availability.
If you wish to arrange child care through the Day Care Center at Trinity College, you will need to contact the Day Nursery at Trinity College a head of time, and as soon as possible. Their phone #'s are: 021-353-1-608-2277 or 021-353-1-608-1938. If they are unable to accommodate you, they might be able to provide some information about securing Day Care outside of Trinity College.
Laundry
There are now washers and dryers at Trinity College. You have to bring your own washing powder. It is located behind the Chapel which is the building behind the Accommodations office, near the Atrium which is in the same building where breakfast is served. You have to walk between the Chapel and Dining Hall to find it. Trinity College will provide you with a map. There is a charge for this service. Or you can wash your clothes in your sink in your room, or go to the American Launderette Company on Georges St Great South (straight out Trinity College front gate, walk down 2 signal lights, turn left and go down about 4 blocks and it's on your left). If you go past HOGAN'S PUB you've gone too far. Open Monday - Saturday 8:30am - 5:30pm for self-service or if you want them to do it then you can pick up as late as 7pm. Sunday from 10am - 5pm for self-service and until 6pm if they do it. They have a number of washers and dryers. It costs about $7 to wash and dry for all your loads if you do it, but if you wish for them to do it, it will cost about $8 for wash and dry for all your loads. It takes about 30-40 minutes to wash and about 30 minutes to dry. All the above includes their laundry soap. You can bring your own soap if you wish. There is also a laundromat at Leeson Laundry - 128 Leeson St Upper, phone 660-3106 or Powders Laundrette at 42a Sth Richmond St, phone 478-2655. An iron and ironing board for your use in your room, is available from the Accommodation Office or at the Information Desk in Goldsmith Hall for Goldsmith residents.
Doctor
The Doctor is on campus until 5:00p at the student health service center, located in building #48 and #51 located next to the Samuel Beckett Theatre building. There is a charge to see him of about $40. No doctor or nurse in Ireland can issue any type of allergy shot. It is banned there, believe it or not. So bring your medications with you in a PILL form if possible. Also, bring a doctor's original prescription in case you need a refill or your medicine gets lost and you need to purchase more. You can get a taxi to the hospital - $50.00 (estimate) includes taxi and hospital visit. Medication is extra. Bring over-the-counter allergy medication even if you don't normally have allergies because you may need it. If you are on allergy medication - remember to bring it along with you. There is a Late Night Pharmacy called O'Connells at 55 Lower O'Connell St, about two blocks on the left across the River Liffey; open 8:30a - 10:00p Mon-Sat and Sun 10:00a -10:00p. The Grafton Medical Centre on Anne Street is reasonable and efficient. Our Director's suggest using them instead of the campus doctor.
Library
The Library on campus is open from 12:00p to 5:00p and closed on weekends. It will also be closed for inventory/vacation during 2 weeks of our program. As a USD student, you may need to get a temporary "reader's card" to use the library. It may also get you in to see the Book of Kells and other library treasures for free. Ask at the library front desk for more info on this or ask our Administrative Assistant or Director at Orientation.
Pubs
There are over 900 pubs in Dublin, so there is no lack of liquid refreshments. The Buttery is located on campus under the dining hall. (make a left turn after the first building on your left, coming away from the Accommodations Office, go down a ramp (you'll see an ATM machine there) and turn right to enter then turn left. O'Donohue's is at 15 Merrion Row, 15-20 min walk from Trinity College. Go out Trinity College's Nassau St exit, walk straight down Dawson St and walk to the very end towards St Stephen's Green, turn left and walk past the Intersection and it's about 2-3 blocks down on the right. This is a student hangout that can get very crowded, very early. Music usually starts between 9:00-l0p. The Baggott Inn is down about another block on this same street and on the same side. This is also another student hang out. O'Neills, Suffolk St. another student hangout; Go out Trinity College's front gate, cross at the light and walk 1 block. At signal light turn left and it's at the top of the street. Cheap food and a student hangout; The Brazen Head - 20 Lower Bridge St. (1/2 Block from the Liffey River on the same side of the river as Christ Church). The oldest pub in Dublin dating back to 1666. Slattery's - 130 Cape St - music pub with traditional Irish dancing. The Pavilion Pub is on Trinity campus towards the back gate by the cricket field; some atmosphere but a nice place to drink outdoors on the occasional sunny afternoon. The rugby players usually stop in for a drink after a game. Phillers and The Stag - Temple Bar area. Judge Roy Bean's on Nassau Street; right outside the Nassau St exit from Trinity College, gets packed very early. They also have a restaurant in the back. A bit expensive though. The Bailey, off Grafton Street on Duke Street, a pleasant upscale pub with good food (see below) and a good pint. McGrath's on O'Connell St, ask Mick from Clan Ri to sing "Alice" for you. Of course for great fun, you can do the literary or musical pub crawl where you get quotes from famous author's as well an Irish philosophy, such as the claim that a true Irishman is the only man in the world that will crawl over 20 naked women for a pint. For real drinking you can go to the Kitchen owned by Bono (lead singer of U-2) for atmosphere and music (depending on the night); Major Tom's is a great place to go and sing, drink, and dance; Cross the Border - dancing and drinking, diagonally across from Major Tom's; the Brouxxels has a little basement with a jukebox and some good rock selections. And if you are lucky enough to meet someone who is a member of the private club, Lilly's Bordello, first alleyway off Grafton St, you can drink, dance and party there until 4-5am. O'Gougherty's - Temple bar area, (walk out the front gate of Trinity College, cross the street to the right hand side, go 2 blocks to Angleses Street - it looks like an alley way, turn right and go about 2 blocks and look right on the corner. You also start your musical pub crawl here.
Also recommended by previous students:
The Stag's Head; The Pod, The Mercantile Pub - Dame St; Club M, Bad Bobs, The Pier, Fitzsimmons - Temple Bar area; Thomas Read's - Dame St or anywhere in the Temple Bar area is great.
Eating Places
It's Natural - natural food - by Dublin Castle; Eddie Rocket's - '50's American diner (2 locations) walk down Grafton St and towards the end at St Stephen's Green or on the left hand side of O'Connell St right after crossing the O'Connell St bridge, open late; Beweley's - on Grafton, and another on O'Connell St across the River Liffey on the left hand side. (Cafeteria style) open M,T,W,F 7:30a - 7:00p, Thursday 7:30a-8:00p; Sat 8:00a-7:00p, Sun 10:00a-6:00p; Kylemore - O'Connell St about 2-3 blocks past Bewley's on the right hand side. Take 5 - Nassau St; Gallagher's, also called "The Boxty House" - 20/21 Temple Bar (walk straight out the front of Trinity College, cross the street to the right hand side, go 2 blocks to Anglesea Street - it looks like an alley way, turn right and go about 2 blocks and look left, it has a green front, there's a pizza place on the corner and they are right next door). The staff and management are very friendly and extremely attentive to all your needs. Your best bet is to make a reservation early in the evening or day for later that same night. They do get quite crowded. You generally cannot just pop in for a meal. The Boxty is a potato pancake, thin like a crepe and stuffed with either beef, lamb, or chicken and served with several vegetables on the side. Try the lamb boxty. The Mongolian Barbecue at 7 Anglesea St, an ALL YOU CAN EAT place. You choose your meat from the 5-6 selections, then you choose your veggies from the many selections and add your sauce and then hand it all to the chef and it will be stir fried for you while you wait. For those who have never tried this method, they also list many recipes, above your meat and veggie selections, that you can try out. Eat before 3 or 4pm for about $15. After 4pm they are closed until 6 or 6:30pm and it's more expensive. The Elephant Cafe is also right down this same street for burgers. If you want to eat where Sinead O'Conner worked, go to the Bad Ass Cafe - Crown Alley, off Dame St (which is the street straight out from Trinity College's front gate, also know as College St) in the Temple Bar area - good food and real salads! The Bailey, 2 Duke St. Good Irish meals; great for lunch (eat in the pub, not the restaurant). For those who cannot do without a Burger King or a McDonald's, they are there as well, but you can expect to pay about $3-4 for a Whopper alone. The McDonald's on O'Connell Street is open early, 7:30a on Sunday morning, if you are an early riser and did not purchase anything for breakfast the night before. There are NO $.99 Whopper's or $.99 Big Mac's. The Wicklow and Penny Farthing Cafe - go out Trinity College front gate, turn left to Grafton Street, walk to Wicklow St, turn right and it's about 2-3 blocks down on the left side. Powers Court Townhouse - on Clarendon Street off of Johnston Court off of Grafton for bagels- there's a deli in there. Pasta Fresca - good Italian place - on Chatham Street off Grafton St down towards St. Stephen's Green; and Judge Roy Bean's on Nassau St for Mexican food. Remember, food is VERY expensive in Dublin, usually 1 1/2 to 2 times more expensive than the U.S. Also, some places you have to pay ala carte for everything (a separate price for your meat, veggies, potatoes, etc.). They are not always included in the same price so be aware of this. Cornacopia - Vegetarian. Turn left out of the front gate of Trinity and go down Grafton St take the first right turn off of Grafton St. Great variety and cheap. Capt America - Go to the end of Grafton St it's on the left hand side at the top of the Sport Shop - American and Vegetarian. Sinners- Parliament St -Lebanese. Very nice, reasonable about $11 for the main course with large portions. 10 minutes from Trinity College, on Fri and Sat nights they have belly dancers. No beer is served, just wine.
Here is a list from previous students of other eating places to go to:
The Mercantile Pub - Dame St; The Alamo - Temple Bar area; Pasta Fresca, Tosca, Front Page - Grafton St; Beshoffs - O'Connell St (left hand side); Eastern Tandoori - on South William St; The Enchanted Cafe - Dingle Peninsula.
Sightseeing
Pick up the Dublin Events of the Week in the Accommodations Office at Trinity or at the Dublin Tourist Office, open 9-5pm, Mon - Sat, corner of Church Lane and Suffolk St across the street from O'Neill's Pub. It has a listing of things to see and do in Dublin with maps and information. This is FREE. There is also another FREE magazine that you can pick up from the Dublin Tourist Office on a table near the Bus Eireann desk on the left hand side as you walk up the stairs. Another guide to buy would be the Dublin Street Guide (full street index a-z; bus routes shown in red and tourist information). Also, while you are there, pick up the Tourism News. It's free and it alerts you to the many things to see and do in Dublin. Inside the Dublin Tourist Office, which is now located in an old church, you will find another American Express office, Bus Eireann desk (like our Greyhound bus line-but better), Grey Line Tours desk - for 1/2 day and Day trips outside of Dublin, 2 shops, one for postcards, books, maps, and the other for clothes, jewelry, drinking glasses, knick knacks, etc., the restaurant and bathrooms are upstairs. They are extremely helpful. You will have to get a ticket from the ticket machine directly in front of you when you enter and they will call your number. Plus they have lots of racks with information along the walls. Also, when making any type of purchases use your credit card, check your rate before leaving, as most credit card companies are now charging their customers 1% to 10% for purchases made in Europe. Check with your credit card company to see what their going rate is.
Check out Dublin Places To Visit, Tourist Attractions, Things to Do in Dublin, Site Seeing, Ireland for more information.
See Dublin for $19.95, save hundreds of $$$
Bray and Howth are nice (and cheap) day or half-day trips from Dublin. They are at the south and north ends of the DART line, respectively; about $4 round trip. If you're feeling energetic in Bray, take the 3-mile cliff side walk to Greystones.
Newgrange Tomb - older than the pyramids in Egypt and Stonehenge in England. The civilization that built these tombs is totally unknown. Take the inner city bus to Slane from Busaras Bus Station (bus-r-us is located behind the Customs House on Store Street). About $15 round trip and $1.25 for student entrance fee. Newgrange is about an hours walk from Slane.
Purchase a Bus Eireann Rambler pass (like a Eurail pass but cheaper) which allows you to travel around the countryside and get off and on just about anywhere during your pass days, which can be anywhere from 3-14 days, your choice. A 3-day Rambler pass, in September, averaged out to be about $20 per day, which was cheap since I went from Dublin to Kilkenny, Cork, Blarney, Killarney, Ring of Kerry and back to Dublin. In July it might be a bit more expensive, because it is high tourist season. Check the prices and schedules at the Bus Eireann booth in the Dublin Tourist Office on Suffolk and Church Street. You can purchase this pass from them there.
Limerick by train is about 3-4 hours and about $60. Try the Bus Eireann, it's cheaper but it may take you longer.
Galway by bus is about 4-5 hours and about $40-$60. You can get a B and B in Galway for about $35-$40/night per individual, hostels around $7-$9/night per individual.
Dingle Peninsula
Dingle is a small and very beautiful fishing town in the West. Take the train to Tralee, then a bus to Dingle.
Double check all your schedules before leaving for the train or bus station. Changes occur without notice! Always ask if there's a student rate when sightseeing - it's often not posted. Always have your International Students ID Card with you and show it every chance you get for discounted rates.
Drop by USIT for discounts. USIT is a very large Student Organization, like STA. Walk towards O'Connell St bridge but DO NOT CROSS. USIT is on the left hand side of the street so turn left and it's a couple doors down from the corner on the left hand side. If you do cross the O'Connell St bridge, just turn around and look back and you see it on the right hand side (look up).
For a Live View of Dublin
The Dublin webcam camera pans from O'Connell St Bridge to the famous ha'penny bridge.
Live View of O'Connell St Bridge.
Another Live View of O'Connell St Bridge.
If you're going West to places like Dingle, Ring of Kerry, Beara Peninsula (all very spectacular) it's really best to rent a car if you are going with a group. But beware, gas is around $8.00 per gallon. Your U.S. driver's license is ok to use but you must be over 25 to rent a car. There is a car rental place just as you cross the O'Connell St bridge directly on your left. The Trinity Accommodations Office may be able to help in referrals to various car agencies or you can shop around in the Dublin yellow pages. It is also recommended that you obtain an International Driver's License.
There is a public swimming pool adjacent to Trinity College; basketball courts, squash courts, and weight lifting equipment at Trinity. The weight lifting equipment is located in Luce Hall and it costs about $35-$40 for 4 weeks use - its self service. The campus is well spread out for jogging. Litton Lane Dance Studio on Bachelors Walk. Mixed gym impact class $10/ea class. Diggs Lane - St. Stephen's Green Center off Grafton - step/bench areobics class about $20/class or membership for about $41 plus around $13 each time you go. Luce Hall, high impact aerobics on Trinity campus around $10/class, check with program director to get letter saying that you are a student to get this price. Or look in the Dublin 2 phone book under health/fitness.
There may be USD-Dublin group tours to the Courts of Justice, Guinness Brewery and to Kilmainham Jail, where "In the Name of the Father" with Daniel Day Lewis, was partly filmed. All tours depend upon how many students sign up for these, there is usually a charge. With your International Student ID card it costs about $3 for the Guinness tour if you do not go with the group. You should do this if for nothing else than to get your 2 FREE 1/2 pints or 1 full pint glass of Guinness in their Pub after the tour. Check with the director of the Dublin program at Orientation. Trinity graduate students give an excellent historical/ political walking tour of Dublin 3-4 times daily for about $8. "The Dublin Experience", in the Arts Bldg, is a good multimedia introduction to Irish history. You should try to familiarize yourself with the country's history before the trip. None of the current politics, attitudes, symbolism will make sense without it and a majority of people you will talk to will talk about the politics of Ireland.
You can rent bikes at C. Harding - 30 Bachelors Walk-right across the O'Connell Bridge on the River Liffey and to the left; refundable deposit required of about $90, all major credit cards accepted. All rentals come with lock, pump, and tool kit. Rates are from $10/day to $90/week or about $122 per month. Also, Rent-a-Bike - 58 Lower Gardiner St. Rates are from $54-70/week, $70-110 for the refundable deposit, unless of course the bike is damaged.
Both Thomas Cooke and American Express are in the Tourist Board office (in an old church), go 1 block outside the main entrance, cross the street on the left hand side then turn left at the 1st signal light and walk straight ahead. It's located in the old church straight ahead, both are open Mon-Sat, check the time when you get there. But only American Express is open on Sunday from 11-4p. Thomas Cooke is not. AmEx and Cooke both open at 9:00am. If you exchange either AmEx or Cooke checks, there is usually no commission charged if you have their travelers checks.
Contact your bank before you leave to see if your ATM card or Credit Card needs a special European pin number to access your account!
Banks have the best rates if you are exchanging US dollars for Euro's. There are quite a number of them around Trinity College. There are also Exchange Houses, but they usually charge a commission.
Grafton Street is closed off to all motor traffic with a few exceptions. Along Grafton Street there are tons and tons of stores for shopping, as well as lots of food and drink places. Upper O'Connell Street is also loaded with shops. You really don't have to walk far for shopping, drinking, or eating. Trinity College is very centrally located.
Dunnes Stores carry American food. There is one located at the end of Grafton Street in St. Stephen's Green Mall on the right hand side of the street. When you walk in, stay to the left and go all the way towards the back. You will see the Dunnes Store on your left hand side - the grocery store part is located in the basement level. It is not visible when you walk into any Dunnes Store. You have to follow the signs or ask directions. There are also small market places just off Grafton Street.
You may ask the Trinity housekeeper for cooking utensils if you're Trinity kitchenette lacks them (No guarantees that they will have any though) or you may purchase what you need.
If you would like names, e-mail addresses and/or phone numbers of previous Dublin students, just send an e-mail to Cindy with what school you go to and what city you live in cking@sandiego.edu or darlenes@sandiego.edu and she'll e-mail you back with the info.
Send Cindy or Darlene an e-mail should you have more questions that were not answered in these FAQ's or in the Dublin Tips - General section
If you find an error, please let Cindy or Darlene know by providing the exact web site address location (http://www.sandiego.edu/lawabroad/..............) where the problem is located by cutting and pasting it into your e-mail, so that it can be corrected right away. Thank you!
Dublin Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Pictures and text used with permission
**Courtesy of Cindy King
Many things in Dublin are double the U.S. price.Car Rental
Gym Facilities
Tours
Bike Riding
Money: Travelers Checks
Currency Exchange
Shopping
Grocery Shopping
References: Names and addresses of former students.
Questions: