Pre-trip Preparation for Dublin, Ireland
The Best Time to Travel to Dublin
March, May and June are the best seasons to travel to Dublin.
March is Ireland’s National Day when you can see many performances along the streets, which are distinctive and provide the most authentic experience of Irish customs and culture. May-June is the sunniest time of the year, with an average of 5 -7 hours of sunshine. Dublin’s lawns are soft and green at this time of year, with early morning dewdrops. And the countryside is full of idyllic flavour. The river is sparkling, and there’s no better way to see Dublin than from a boat.
Dublin is green throughout the year, and you can enjoy the natural beauty of the “Emerald Isle” of Ireland at other times. It rarely snows in winter, but it does rain, making Dublin look severe and grey.
Language
The common language in Dublin is English. So those who know English don’t need to worry about the language problem. And those who don’t know it so well can download translation software or make up for the travelling English expression in advance. Of course, some older people in Dublin speak Irish, but not many young people.
Irish Visa
From 1 July 2019, regular travellers with a good travel record can apply for a five-year multiple-entry visa to Ireland. This is undoubtedly a great boon for those who love travelling to the UK and Ireland!
BIVS Visa:
The BIVS visa is the British Irish Visa Scheme (BIVS), meaning the UK and Ireland recognise each other’s short-term visas. Travellers with a BIVS visa can stay in Ireland for up to 90 days and enter the UK (including Northern Ireland) simultaneously, enjoying the convenience of ‘one visa for two countries’.
The BIVS visa has the same application process, window and documentation as a regular tourist visa, but the BIVS visa allows travel to Ireland, Northern Ireland and the UK. Both the UK and Ireland have BIVS visas. Which BIVS visa you apply for depends on where your country of entry is. If your first stop is Ireland (e.g. Dublin, Cork, Galway, etc.) →, choose the Irish BIVS visa. If your first stop is Northern Ireland (e.g. Belfast), UK cities →, choose the UK BIVS visa.
Whether to apply for a single or multiple visa depends entirely on your own needs; the price difference between a single and multiple is more than 300 points. If you are sure to go once in five years, for a single can certainly save some money.
Visa Process and Required Documents:
Process:
Prepare the documents – Complete the online application form (https://www.visas.inis.gov.ie/AVATS/OnlineHome.aspx) – After completing the application form, you will see a link to the Visa Centre – Make an appointment – Visit the Visa Centre
Required Documents:
Original passport, which is valid for at least six months. A photocopy of the first page of the passport, i.e., the personal information page with all visas and all stamps. Old passport.
A signed copy of the online application form summary sheet: www.visas.inis.gov.ie/AVATS/OnlineHome.aspx
A signed letter of application including the purpose of your stay in Ireland and the applicant’s contact details.
Two passport-size colour photographs taken within the last six months should be as follows: Minimum 35mm by 45mm, Maximum 38mm by 50mm, taken within six months Printed on photographic paper with a clear and distinctive white or light grey background.
The original copy and translation of the resident’s family register.
If you are married or have children under 18, your spouse or children are not travelling with you. You need to submit your marriage certificate or your children’s birth certificate.
Please provide details of family members residing in Ireland or other EU countries.
Prepare Proof of Funds:
- Sufficient funds to cover your trip. Proof of funds should include evidence of bank deposit, passbook, deposit slip or original bank statement. Proof of funds should cover at least six months of financial history prior to the date of application submission.
- Accommodation booking form.
- Travel/medical insurance covers the entire trip. Please note that you may be required to produce your travel medical insurance on entry to Ireland.
Produce evidence of your obligation to return to your home country or residence.
- You must produce an employment letter if you are employed. The letter should include the period of your employment, the date of commencement of your annual leave, the date of your return to work and the name and contact details of the contact person at the workplace who issued the letter of employment.
- If you are a full-time student, a letter of enrolment from your school will be required, including how long you have been attending the school, how many semesters/years you have left to complete, and that you will be returning to the school to continue your studies after your visit to Ireland.
- If you are not working or retired, you must submit relevant documents to prove your social or economic ties with your home country.
Note: All visa applicants must submit a signed declaration letter in English and Chinese, guaranteeing that the applicant will comply with the visa requirements and will not be a burden to Ireland. The applicant will visit Ireland for a maximum of 90 days. They will not renew their visa while in Ireland and will return to China before the expiry date of their residence permit.
Air Ticket
When buying a plane ticket, you can compare prices on Skyscanner before deciding where to order. Of course, although Skyscanner is a price comparison website, you can also go directly to the air ticket provider to book through the website, which is still more convenient!
If you don’t want to go to Skyscanner, book a ticket at the official Priceline website. And the price is generally cheaper than other websites. Many people in the country do not know these two sites, but they often go abroad to travel or on business trips. Friends of these two sites must be familiar, and most are in use.
Communication (Wi-Fi)
Buy an Ireland WiFi package online at the official Jingdong Roaming Superman flagship shop for only RMB 19 a day, with a Jingdong rebate of up to 0.8% and as high as 0.95% with a super rebate coupon. The vast majority of goods purchased on Jingdong are rebates. Oh! Like to buy things in Jingdong, friends. Also, do not forget to go to the site through the Extrabux rebate website to buy oh! After buying, you can pick it up at the airport or mail it.
Travelling in Dublin
Dublin uses the Euro (EURO), and local spending is high, second only to the Nordic region and comparable to London and Paris. A glass of stout is usually around 4 EURO; lunch is 9-14 EURO. Dinner will cost 12-20 EURO; if you order a full Western meal, it will be 30-45 EURO. If you buy a sandwich at the supermarket, it’s around €5. Regular hotel accommodation is also 70-150 euros a night, but there are many relatively cheap youth hostels in the city, and there are some options for around 20-30 euros. On average, you can spend around €50 per person per day in Dublin without accommodation. Before you travel, remember to fill your wallet o(∩_∩)o ~~.
Tipping is expected in most restaurants in Ireland. If the service charge (usually 15%) is included in the restaurant bill, there is no need to pay another tip. If there is no additional charge, you can tip 10%. Taxi rides are usually rounded up to the nearest whole dollar for the driver, the same as tipping. Hotel baggage handlers need to be tipped according to the number of pieces of luggage, or €1 is fine.
What are the best restaurants to eat at when travelling in Dublin?
Regarding the choice of restaurants, you can go to TripAdvisor.
(https://www.tripadvisor.com/ ) to choose your favourite. TripAdvisor is the foreign version of Dianping. The website allows you to check out restaurants and has other travel services, such as attraction references (honest reviews), flight bookings, hotel bookings, etc. Through the Extrabux rebate network, going to TripAdvisor also has the corresponding rebate.
Essential Software for Travelling in Dublin
- iMoney: Global exchange rate converter.
- Google Translate: for translation, you can also choose Google Translate.
- Google Maps: for travelling.
Tips for Travelling to Dublin, Ireland
How to play the most fun in Dublin, Ireland? We all know that most popular European tourist cities like London and Paris have introduced city travel passes, including tickets to attractions and towns with up-and-down sightseeing buses. Dublin, Ireland, is no exception. It also has its official website to buy city travel passes; purchasing a pass to visit Dublin, Ireland, is the best.
Purchase: Dublin Pass on the purchase of Dublin, Ireland, registered Extrabux rebate network also has cash back to get. Successful orders can get up to 2.5% cash back, and super coupons can be increased to 3%.
Dublin Pass Price:
At the end of the year, there are promotional prices. You can also pay attention to the usual holidays, which may also have a discount price. If you want to go, you can buy it in advance and activate it when you use it.
What is Included in the Dublin Pass:
- Newbridge House and Farm – €10
- Christ Church Cathedral – €7
- Dublin Castle – €8
- Guinness Storehouse – €25
- Vaults Live – €19.50
- St Patrick’s Cathedral – €8
- Jameson Distillery Bow St. Tour – €25
- Jeanie Johnston Tallship & Famine Museum – €11
- Teelings Whiskey Distillery Tour – €17
- Dublinia – €10
- Irish Rock ‘n Roll Museum Experience – €16
- Dublin Hop on Hop Off Bus Tour – €22
- Malahide Castle – €14
- Croke Park Stadium Tour & GAA Museum – €14
- Dublin Zoo – €17.50
- James Joyce Centre – €15
Must-buy Shopping List for Dublin, Ireland
Chocolate
If chocolate lovers know to buy Cadbury’s in the UK, they should know that many of Europe’s best chocolates are made in Ireland. Bittersweet chocolates are a must-buy for countless tourists, and a visit to the open-plan Skellig Chocolate Factory in County Kerry is a great way to sample fresh chocolate while making your DIY.
Irish Whiskey
Ireland is the birthplace of whiskey, and a wide range of whiskeys are available at all prices and qualities. However, due to the high taxes on whiskey, it may not be very cheap. In addition, the liqueur made from whiskey and cream is also delicious. It is usually used as an after-dinner liqueur for cooking, baking, etc.
Foxford Blanket
Established in 1892, the Foxford Blanket Factory has stood the test of time, producing luxurious blankets that perfectly accompany a chilly Irish night. The factory uses traditional techniques handed down to them to produce a wide range of blankets, from robust wool to luxurious mohair and from more contemporary styles to conventional Irish tartan.
Waterford Crystal
The origins of Irish crystal making can be traced back to the early 18th century, mainly in County Waterford, south of Dublin. Today, Waterford Crystal remains a global leader in the field, with Waterford Crystal launching an annual New Year’s Eve crystal ball in Times Square and the Waterford Crystal chandelier hanging in London’s Westminster Abbey.
Allen Sweater
The Allen Sweater represents culture and tradition as well as fashion and legend. Its intricate knitting and large, self-contained pattern make it synonymous with handmade jumpers.
Lemon Soap from Sweeney’s
Anyone who has read James Joyce’s Ulysses knows that the story’s protagonist purchases a bar of lemon soap at Sweeney’s, a non-fictional apothecary shop around the corner from Merion Square. To this day, the historic old shop stocks many Joyce-related books, and the clerk will even pull out his guitar and sing you a traditional Gaelic ballad.
Nuxe Skincare
Nuxe Skincare is one of the most celebrated brands in French cosmeceuticals, with over a few celebrities using her products. As a French pure plant beauty brand, Nuxe advocates the concept of nature; the main focus is pure plant formulas, materials are very safe, the product is a combination of plants and aromatic essential oils, the flavour is strong but is very good-smelling plant scent. It contains a lot of active ingredients. The star products are Eucalyptus 24-hour Moisturising Essence Lotion and Botanical Milk Cream.
REN
REN is an authentic British local brand that takes the natural route, with a name that means “pure, pure, pure”. Another reason for its popularity is that it’s suitable for pregnant mums, as the ingredients are very gentle—star products: REN ROSA CENTIFOLIA CLEANSING GEL and REN CLARIMATTE CLARIFYING TONER.
NYR Rehab
It is sort of an old Covent Garden skincare brand that has always been known for its herbal remedies. Their skincare products are all purely organic and medicinal. And when you walk into this shop, you can smell the strong smell of medicine and feel like you’ve arrived at a traditional Chinese medicine shop. This brand is considered a more typical representative of the British drugstore. The shop’s name is the location of the first shop, Neal’s Yard in Covent Garden, a charming, colourful alleyway. The star product is the drugstore moisturiser, which has different formulations for different skin types.
There’s plenty to buy in Ireland, such as the distinctive Irish pottery and various bee products. And the historic tweeds of County Donegal. Wander the streets of Ireland, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised at what’s on offer.
FAQ
Dublin is a charming destination throughout the year. However, the best time to visit is usually during the late spring (May and June) or early fall (September) when the weather is mild and the city is less crowded with tourists.
When in Dublin, make sure to try traditional Irish dishes like Irish stew, soda bread, black pudding, and of course, a pint of Guinness. For seafood lovers, Dublin Bay prawns are a must-try.
Absolutely! From high-end boutiques to vintage markets, Dublin offers a variety of shopping experiences. Grafton Street is known for its mainstream shops, while George’s Street Arcade offers a range of unique boutiques. Don’t miss the Irish Design Shop for locally made crafts and goods.
Irish people are known for their friendliness and hospitality. A simple greeting and thank you go a long way. In pubs, it’s common for people to buy rounds of drinks for the group.
The currency used in Dublin is the Euro (€). Credit cards are widely accepted, but having some cash on hand for smaller establishments or tipping is good.
