Making the Most of Dublin: Studying Abroad in Ireland
LOCATION
Dublin, the capital of Ireland, and its biggest city, sits about halfway down the country’s east coast at the mouth of the River Liffey which runs through the city. To the south are the Dublin Mountains. It’s a great travel hub to the rest of Europe, but also an excellent starting point to explore Ireland’s beautiful countryside and charming villages.
STUDYING ABROAD IN DUBLIN
When you study abroad in Dublin with ASA, you’ll have two options.
You can position yourself in the bustling city center with about 5,000 students at Griffith College, one of the top private universities in Ireland.
Or you can attend Maynooth University, with more of a small-town atmosphere a 15-minute train ride from Dublin’s city center. This is which is also one of the top ranked universities in Ireland and the first institution outside of the US to be ranked in the Princeton Review. Here, campus is more spread out and you’ll be with about 8,400 students.
Both institutions host students from 50+ countries, both have plenty of clubs and societies you can join and in both, you’d be able to live on campus.
WHAT’S DUBLIN LIKE?
Students often tell us that the locals in Dublin are some of the friendliest and most welcoming people that they’ve ever met. We’re inclined to agree. It’s a small and intimate yet cosmopolitan and diverse city that’s easy to navigate. You’ll find food from around the world. It’s a place where humor, creativity, and intelligence mingle, where writers and intellectuals have gathered for centuries. It’s lively. Music spills out into streets. There’s a rich history of a medieval past found here. It has a castle and cathedrals and character and cobblestones and a stunning coastline. It’s famous for its “craic” (fun).
In the words of Lonely Planet, Dublin is “A small capital with a huge reputation and a cosmopolitan outlook, [with] a mix of heritage and hedonism that will not disappoint.”
Dublin is a city pulsating with energy. It’s also the European hub of many start-ups with its “Silicon Docks” and huge companies like PayPal, eBay, Microsoft, Google, LinkedIn, Facebook, Amazon, and many more.
HOW CAN I SPEND MY FREE TIME?
Dublin may be one of our smaller cities, but don’t let that trick you into thinking it’s not just as exciting as its larger counterparts. There’s plenty to keep you excited, inspired, and entertained round here!
HISTORY. There are stories hidden all over the landscape of Dublin. Some modern and others that stretch back into history. History buffs, don’t miss Trinity College Library, Christ Church Cathedral, Kilmainham Gaol, the General Post Office, Dublin Castle, and Leinster House for starters. You’ll also love the Little Museum of Dublin, the National Museum of Ireland, and the Tenement Museum.
MUSIC & NIGHTLIFE. Follow your ears to the Temple Bar area where you’ll have your choice of live music, DJs and bustling pubs. There’s no shortage of good nights out in Dublin!
BOOKS. If you’re a book lover, this is a city for you. Famous Irish authors like James Joyce, Jonathan Swift, W.B. Yeats, Oscar Wilde, Bran Stoker and more have connections with the city. Visit Marsh’s Library, Oscar Wilde House, Trinity College Library, Dublin Writers Museum and the many literary restaurants, pubs, and bookshops in the city. The Winding Stair is a good place to start, and Chapters is one of the biggest. Sweny’s Pharmacy is another gem.
WALKS. Dublin is such a walkable city. Take an urban stroll, a wander around St. Stephen’s Green, through the Iveagh Gardens, or through Phoenix Park. Or wake up early and try the Ticknock Fairy Castle Loop where you have amazing views over the city. On your doorstep, you have the Howth Cliff walk, and lots of other nearby beach and forest walks.
MARKETS. Markets are some of the best places to soak up the local culture in Dublin. There are street markets, food markets, antique markets, and farmer’s markets. Moore Street Market is one of the oldest and representative of the city’s diversity and George’s Street Arcade was the first shopping center in Ireland and still a market today. Also see Temple Bar Food Market, Bushy Park Market, Red Stables Market, Dún Laoghaire CoCo Market, Howth Market, and the occasional Flea Market at The Digital Hub.
WATER. Dubliners love their coastal stretch. Enjoy it on a boat tour, kayaking, or paddle boarding. You can follow one of Europe’s longest sea walls for a walk out to the red Poolbeg Lighthouse. Explore the historic docklands with their futuristic makeover where the tech giants work. Or visit the award-winning Irish Emigration Museum or the Jeanie Johnston famine ship docked on the river. You can follow the Dublin Coastal trail too and explore some of the nearby seaside villages.
DAY TRIPS. Ireland is a gorgeous country to explore, and Dublin makes a perfect base for day trips. Some faves include the Cliffs of Moher and Galway, Giant’s Causeway and Belfast (Northern Ireland), Kilkenny and Wicklow, Blarney Castle, and Connemara to name a few!
WHAT (AND WHERE) SHOULD I EAT?
Dublin has an amazingly diverse food scene for a small city. Over a century and a half since the famous Irish Potato Famine, there’s not a thriving and innovative food culture here. In fact, the city recently ranked among the top 10 European capitals for foodies!
CAFES. You’re spoiled for choice of cafes here. We love the unpretentious vibes at The Fumbally. Kaph has great coffee, as does Two Boys Brew in Phibsborough and 3fe too. You can also take in the charm of the Cake Café (a bit of a hidden gem) or the popular Queen of Tarts. And south of the river’s Beanhive Coffee is one of the best breakfast spots. North of the river, some of our faves for food are Brother Hubbard (think locally sourced, made from scratch in-house) and Lemon Jelly. One Society on Lower Gardiner Street gets a thumbs up for food too!
FOOD. Dublin caters to its student population with some cheap and cheerful choices. You have Bunsen for burgers, Captain America for a taste of home, The Mongolian BBQ, YO! for sushi, Neon for Thai, Sprezzatura for pasta, Pablo Picante or Boojum for a Mexican fix, The Jar or Sano for pizza, the hidden gem in the back of a Korean grocery store called Han Sung. If you’re into retro arcade games, don’t miss Token.
MUST TRY. A few foods you have to try while you’re in Dublin (if they’re within your diet) are an Irish breakfast, Irish stew, beef and Guinness pie, soda bread, and boxty pancakes.
ANY OTHER TIPS?
A few other things to keep in mind to make the most of a study abroad experience in Dublin…
LEAP CARD. Take full advantage of your student status and get a Student Leap Card for the bus, Luas and Irish Rail. It costs €10 with your students ID. With this card, your transportation is capped at €5 a day and €20 a week so you can save a lot of money. You can also use it at other places around the city for discounts.
NATIONAL LEPRECHAUN MUSEUM. Enter the world of weird and wonderful with a visit to this quirky museum.
SAINT VALENTINE. The relics of St. Valentine are said to be buried in Dublin. You’ll find a small plaque and shrine in Whitefriar Church.
BUDGET. If money is a concern consider Maynooth and then taking the train into Dublin to explore. The city center can be expensive in terms of cost of living, but Maynooth offers a more affordable alternative.