The City
A blend of new and old, Dublin is a vibrant global city located on the East coast of Ireland. From its charming medieval quarter—through art-filled neighborhoods and parks—to the Docklands, Europe’s Silicon Valley, the city is filled with history and innovation.
Dublin has the youngest population in Europe, with one in eight residents being foreign-born. History and technology buffs, literature, music, theater, and sports enthusiasts all have a place in this charming city.
The Center
The CAPA Dublin Center is located in Ireland’s largest private College, Griffith College Dublin. The Center is in one of the city’s most sought-after residential neighborhoods filled with cafes and restaurants, the beautiful Grand Canal, and is just a 20-minute stroll to the city center.
There are public transport links right outside the campus which will take you all over the city. The CAPA student services office is where you will find our CAPA Dublin team.
The Lifestyle
Dublin is a lively city, full of friendly and vibrant people. There’s always a buzz throughout the city as its residents are friendly storytellers looking to connect with one another. Dublin embraces “the craic”, slang for fun and enjoyment, and enhances it by creating a welcoming community for all. With all amenities of a metropolis, but a small-town feel, Dublin has a warm and communal demeanor.
The Irish are known for their humor and wit, as well as their humility. Avoiding conflict and remaining polite are also components of the population’s indirect style of communication. The loud and direct style of communicating in the U.S. is in stark contrast to the softer and more reserved tone in Dublin. However, the city is full of international residents, so don’t assume everyone fits into one communication style.
Literature, music, and artistic expression all play a significant role in shaping the identity of the city. Street artists and musicians make the streets feel more like a stage at times. Creatives are respected for their contribution to the city and the country. Dubliners also care about their health and wellness, with a plethora of vegetarian, vegan, and diet-friendly cafes, restaurants, and grocery items popping up in recent years. Walking or cycling to work is common for residents to get a bit of extra exercise in for the day. Dublin welcomes all with open arms and you’ll experience the local charm as soon as you step foot in this wonderful city.
The Commute
Dublin is a compact city, so you may find yourself walking to most of your destinations. However, you can utilize the different types of public transport systems this city has to offer. Dublin Bus has a network of approximately 200 bus routes that go throughout Dublin and its suburbs. The Dublin Area Rapid Transit (DART) is a rail line that runs along the coastline into Dublin. Over 80,000 riders take the DART every day as it connects the outer coast cities to the city center.
The Luas, a tram system, also runs through the city, allowing you to get from one side of Dublin to the other quicker than if you were on foot! All of the transport in the city can be ridden with a Leap card, the fare payment method used across Dublin.
The Language
One of the biggest advantages for American students coming to study in Ireland is the fact that English is spoken, and you will be understood by everyone without much trouble.
However, the Irish have a very colorful use of their Hiberno-English (the official name for the Irish-English dialect), very much influenced by the Irish language, such as vocabulary, grammatical structure, and pronunciation. Most of this is used in spoken language and often makes for some funny misunderstandings with non-Irish people. Hiberno-English uses "yes" and "no" less frequently than other English dialects as speakers can repeat the verb, positively or negatively. For example: “Are you coming home soon?” – “I am.”
Along with dialect differences, you may see the Irish language on street signs, roadways, billboards, and more! Céad míle fáilte go Baile Átha Cliath! (A hundred, thousand welcomes to Dublin!)
The Currency
The euro (EUR) is the official currency of Ireland and is used across 19 of the 27 members of the European Union. The euro and the US dollar have an almost equal exchange rate, with whom it favors going back and forth from time to time.
You may want to purchase a wallet with a change pouch, as you’ll get €1’s and €2’s back in the form of coins, not bills!
The Weather
Dublin experiences mild summers and cool winters and doesn’t see much temperature variation. You will find Dublin hovers in the 39 to 69 °F range throughout the year—meaning you’ll never be too hot or too cold.
By Ireland’s standards, Dublin is the driest place in the country, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be rain. Dublin receives close to 30 inches of rain per year so it’s important to pack a rain jacket and shoes you don’t mind getting a little wet. Expect cloudy and wet weather while in Dublin as a full day of sun is a rarity—but that doesn’t take away the charm and friendliness of the city!
