What to expect when moving to Dublin.
DUBLIN, WHAT’S THE CRAIC?
Definitely not Leprechauns with pots of gold like the American media suggested when we were kids, lol. But a warm, welcoming & lovely conversation with a stranger, which is often referred to as a “good craic.” the Irish driver who drives you home/to your destination from the airport giving you a sweet orientation of the Emerald Isle (a.k.a Dublin) .
I came in to further my education, evidently falling in love with the place, a strong agape love for the country. The Irish are generally a welcoming, friendly, and optimistic bunch. The only thing you’d hear an Irish person typically complain about is the bloody weather (which isn’t that bad, to be honest). It’s the intro to every small talk episode. The weather is mild, moist, and interchangeably bipolar, with abundant rainfall and a lack of extreme temperatures, which is grand for the most part and easy to adapt to. Then there is traffic between 7–9:45 am & 5–7 pm during the weekdays (heads up with this one whenever you’re considering coming into town.)
So when it’s cold–it is not dreadful, neither is it when it’s hot.
Now, first things–first: make sure you book a place to stay; if you don’t already have student accommodation (for students) or a temp Airbnb, hotel, or family and friends’ house (for workers), the best strategy is to choose the closest county/area to your daily commute (whether school or workplace). This will make your commute more bearable and convenient and reduce your transportation budget.
Secondly, ensure that you carry a decent amount of cash!!!! I can not emphasise this enough, as you’d need to settle a lot of payments in cash before being able to download and install payment apps, register with a bank and all the necessary good stuff that comes with immigrating to a new country.
If you are just arriving, Dublin nightlife is so lit! Depending on the area(s), most of Dublin goes to bed after 9–10 pm, except for a few clubs and pubs. Depending on your interests and preferences, something fun is always happening in the city centre; Eventbrite is one application you should download. It’s a news and social platform showcasing 90% of the events within the city, which will vary depending on your location.
Dublin is buzzing with seasonal and cultural activities as December ends, and we are anticipating the New Year; events in such categories will flood your timelines on the app. Anticipate:
Festive Celebrations:
- Dublin Winter Lights: Iconic landmarks like the Custom House, Trinity College, and the Ha’penny Bridge have been transformed with artistic light projections and festive displays, running until the end of the month
- Christmas Markets: Popular markets include “Christmas at the Castle” at Dublin Castle and the Smithfield Square Christmas Spectacular, featuring crafts, food, and ice skating.
Concerts and Performances:
- Venues like the 3Arena, Vicar Street, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral host performances by artists including Kygo, Pillow Queens, and the classical ensemble London Concertante.
Local Traditions:
- Bono and other artists are expected to return to Grafton Street for their annual Christmas Eve charity busking for the Simon Community.
- The Forty Foot Christmas Day swim remains a beloved, chilly tradition for locals.
Craft and Design Events:
- The “Gifted Craft & Design Fair” at the RDS in Ballsbridge showcases handmade goods from artisans across Ireland.
Unique Attractions:
- Sustainable Christmas markets, such as those at the National Botanic Gardens and the Rediscovery Centre, are drawing attention for their eco-conscious focus.
In summary, when moving to Dublin, just prep your wallet and learn how to drink like an Irish; these folks have been drinking since they were wee babies (hypothetically) lol, but seriously, nobody beats the Irish in drinking.
With its vibrant arts scene and traditional celebrations, Dublin’s festive spirit makes it a dynamic holiday destination where you can relax and unwind with family and friends, enjoy the buzz in the city centre and all that the city has to offer. Although it gets awfully quiet in some areas, do not worry; there are a lot of activities to get into.
In the meantime… WELCOME! FAILTE! (Gaelic) TO THE EMERALD ISLE.
Give this a round of applause if you found it helpful. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
