Neighborhoods in Dublin

jay2012

Hi lkono! You're lucky for 2 reasons: (1) If you can handle Northeast DC, you can certainly handle Dublin. And (2), you're getting an awful lot of great advice here. I think people are really being helpful and mostly giving you great tips and useful personal opinions.

It's just my opinion, but I'd also recommend The Liberties / The Coombe in Dublin 8. It's where I live. It's certainly not a fancy neighborhood, but has an interesting, urban vibe. I like The Liberties because it feels very "real": bustling and full of activity, but somehow it is one of those rare "it just is what it is" places: neither overly built up with faceless chain stores nor snootily trying to be "bohemian" or "alternative". It just is what it is, and the area has a lot of personality. Great market on Meath Street (but more of a useful, cheap stuff "great, I need a pair of scissors and can get it for only a euro" place than a high fashion shopping experience :-)

A great thing about The Liberties is that the centre of Dublin is very walkable from here. I never drive or take public transit or even bother to use my bicycle. I'm not even a very fast walker and yet within 15 minutes or so of leaving home and walking towards the centre, I can either cut north a little and be in Dame Str and therefore quite near Trinity and College Green; or cut south a little and be at Camden Str/Portobello or St. Stephen's Green. And it's not a "dead" 15 minute walk into the centre from here either, when you're just walking through nothingness to reach your destination; but shops, pubs, cathedrals, cafes, interesting stuff, all along along my walk, whichever way I head.

I can't say a bad word about the other places people here mentioned, they're all good recommendations, and I'm sure there are a lot of different Dublin neighborhoods that would make you happy. From my point of view though, a summer program of just a few months will go by very quickly. Especially if I was going to be spending most every day at Trinity (and maybe some evenings too, if there are events, dinners, or bar-hopping nights held in Dublin centre for participants?), I wouldn't want to waste even a minute of time each morning and each evening waiting for buses, DART trains, or LUASes to travel between home and Trinity, I'd prefer to just live someplace both very interesting and very central, and for me, that would be The Liberties.

I hope you have great time in Dublin. Good luck!

CiaranC

Ikono, give these a read before you get here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ginger_Man
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beastly_Beatitudes_of_Balthazar_B

Both reference Trinity, Irish Americana and the beauty of Dublin

ProudDUB

Draupnir wrote: »

It's not misrepresentation to say that Mountjoy Square gets some very unsavoury foot traffic from adjoining areas at all times of the day, particularly after dark. Living in Mountjoy Square would also require you to make your way through some of the roughest places in Dublin City Centre to get to TCD or the City Centre proper.

Mountjoy Square on it's own is a lovely place, if a little disused in spots, but it's unfortunately surrounded by the kind of areas and people that are best avoided if possible.

Have to agree with that. I am a very proud Dub, but every city has its areas to avoid & that is one of them. It is a shame as the square itself is quite lovely. OP, you said in your original post you want to be around " lots of young professionals". Am not sure you'd find many of them there. There is a lot of social housing in the area (what you would refer to as the projects) and young families.

I am in the IFSC (International Financial Services Center.) It's not a dedicated area as such, but it starts around Connolly Station and goes all the way down to the start of Dublin Port. I think it has its own listing on Daft. It is mainly offices and apts serving people who work in the financial services sector and companies like Google and Facebook which are nearby. O'Connell St & the city center is a 5 minute walk away. Trinity is a quick 10-15 minute walk away as there is a foot bridge over the river near by.

I rarely need to take public transport anywhere and over time, those savings can really add up. But as you are on the Luas and Dart & mainline rail lines, it makes getting around really easy if you do decide to explore a bit further afield. Agree with the above poster about living in or near the heart of the city. It is great having so much stimulating and interesting stuff right on your doorstep.

flo_indublin

P. Breathnach wrote: »

You're giving a mixed message, but presenting it as if it were not. If you wouldn't want to socialise in the neighbourhood pubs, then the message is that you are not comfortable with your neighbours.

Some Dublin neighbourhoods are tricky to understand, and that includes the Liberties area.

Yeah, it may sound like a mixed message but what I meant is that the Liberties is a very close knit community of people who've lived here all their lives and in the local pubs you only find locals, I mean, they even do lock-ins in some pubs on Saturday night! But apart from that everyone has always been kind to me and welcoming since I've moved to the area in 2008 (and I'm not only a blow-in but also a foreigner :-). It's different, buzzy, alternative and quaint, not everyone's cup of tea but I really like it and it's so close to the city centre! Nothing bad has ever happened to me in the Liberties.

I like Ranelagh and Rathmines too (great library in Rathmines by the way) but not as much. However, if the OP wants to be around young professionals Rathmines is probably his/her best bet even though I'd suggest to check out all these areas and then decide :-)

Rhand

Ernest wrote: »

You must be joking!
Dublin 1 is the area around O'Connell St, Parnell Street, Talbot Street, Gardener Street, Sheriff Street and the notorious boardwalks near the River Liffey.
This is where the junkies hang out and is NOT where you would want to be living (given the lack of law enforcement in Dublin)

Please, you're exaggerating. It's actually an area where a lot of students and foreigners in general live, granted most of those are Brazilians and South Koreans but still. It's a nice place to live with all amenities really close by.
Yes, there are some issues with beggars, drunkards and junkies but I've lived here for 6 months and not once did I feel unsafe or did I encounter a problem.

But I've lived all my life in one of the roughest areas of Antwerp, Dublin 1 is a walk in the park compared to that.

Poster Boy

CiaranC wrote: »

Ikono, give these a read before you get here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ginger_Man
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beastly_Beatitudes_of_Balthazar_B

Both reference Trinity, Irish Americana and the beauty of Dublin

Funny you should mention JP Donleavy - only recently he and others wrote into the city council, looking for Mountjoy Square to be properly preserved:
http://www.archiseek.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7459#p108191

ProudDUB wrote: »

every city has its areas to avoid & that is one of them. It is a shame as the [Mountjoy[ square itself is quite lovely... There is a lot of social housing in the area (what you would refer to as the projects) and young families... I am in the IFSC (International Financial Services Center.)

With due respect, I think this is a sweeping statement - tarring communities because they are living in social housing, while also ignoring regeneration successes such as Killarney Court and James Joyce Street. In any event, as it happens, the IFSC is also surrounded by social and working class housing at Sherrif Street area and the East Wall on the northside - and Moss and Lombard Street areas on the southside, not that this should matter.

OP, as with any city centre, you have to take some degree of care - if you wish for a really quiet area, you may prefer to locate in one of the suburbs. One tip of advice is to avoid places where there is a drugs clinic present as these regrettably tend to be associated anti social behaviour - Butt Bridge and Tara Street area are particularly afflicted.

iguana

iguana wrote: »

Unless you are an old granny it takes about 10 minutes to walk between Ranelagh and Rathmines.

Except when you don't feel like it?
I believe that was implied.

dRNk SAnTA

The OP is clearly looking for an URBAN lifestyle, he wants to be in the thick of it (yes, even if there are a few "rough people" around the place - oh dear!)

So Ranelagh and Rathmines are nice but OUT because that is boring suburbia compared to places like Smithfield, the Liberties etc.

P. Breathnach

dRNk SAnTA wrote: »

The OP is clearly looking for an URBAN lifestyle, he wants to be in the thick of it (yes, even if there are a few "rough people" around the place - oh dear!)

So Ranelagh and Rathmines are nice but OUT because that is boring suburbia compared to places like Smithfield, the Liberties etc.

Yeah. I always thought Rathmines was just like Arlington.

ProudDUB

Poster Boy wrote: »

With due respect, I think this is a sweeping statement - tarring communities because they are living in social housing, while also ignoring regeneration successes such as Killarney Court and James Joyce Street. In any event, as it happens, the IFSC is also surrounded by social and working class housing at Sherrif Street area and the East Wall on the northside - and Moss and Lombard Street areas on the southside, not that this should matter.

I am not tarring anywhere with anything. I was merely responding to a specific request that the OP made about a certain demographic of people. The OP said that they wanted to live in an area with lots of young professionals. I spend a fair amount of time in the Mountjoy Sq/Gardiner St areas. I do not think that the 2 areas contains large numbers of said young professionals. I did not say if that was a bad thing or a good thing, just that it was not what the OP specifically mentioned that they were looking for.

The IFSC does indeed have own dodgy areas that is is close to. But it also has a lot of people living here that fit the OP's requirements - young professionals that they (presumably) will have a lot in common with, and will have fun socializing with. As a lot of them are from overseas too, that could also be very useful for the OP in finding their own feet in a foreign country.

CiaranC

dRNk SAnTA wrote: »

The OP is clearly looking for an URBAN lifestyle, he wants to be in the thick of it (yes, even if there are a few "rough people" around the place - oh dear!)

So Ranelagh and Rathmines are nice but OUT because that is boring suburbia compared to places like Smithfield, the Liberties etc.

?

Rathmines is a few minutes walk to Camden St/Wexford St, the best area to go out in the city.

donaghs

CiaranC wrote: »

The OP is a citizen of Washington DC, and consequently is not afraid of his own shadow or a few shuffling tracksuited zombies. I think he'll be ok.

On the other hand, why bother putting up with that sort of crap when you can live in a nicer area? even closer to the south side of town.

Unless rent is far cheaper of course.

Draupnir

Poster Boy wrote: »

Funny you should mention JP Donleavy - only recently he and others wrote into the city council, looking for Mountjoy Square to be properly preserved:
http://www.archiseek.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7459#p108191



With due respect, I think this is a sweeping statement - tarring communities because they are living in social housing, while also ignoring regeneration successes such as Killarney Court and James Joyce Street. In any event, as it happens, the IFSC is also surrounded by social and working class housing at Sherrif Street area and the East Wall on the northside - and Moss and Lombard Street areas on the southside, not that this should matter.

OP, as with any city centre, you have to take some degree of care - if you wish for a really quiet area, you may prefer to locate in one of the suburbs. One tip of advice is to avoid places where there is a drugs clinic present as these regrettably tend to be associated anti social behaviour - Butt Bridge and Tara Street area are particularly afflicted.

Sweeping statements are unfortunate, I agree, I don't think the poster intended that. I fully agree with you, as does the other poster, that the square itself is lovely and has huge potential. However, the OP is looking for somewhere to live now and Mountjoy Square doesn't fit that bill at all. It may do in 5 to 10 years if some of the surrounding areas are cleaned up to the same extent that they have been over the last 10 years.

Having spent some part of my youth in the general vicinity of Mountjoy Square and it's adjoining areas, I wouldn't recommend it to someone moving to the city that has other options in more relaxed and enjoyable areas. You'd need your wits about you at all times walking to and from the area and that doesn't make for the greatest living experience.

Also, there are little or no decent shops within a 15 minute walk of Mountjoy Square either unless you want to do your weekly shop in a Londis or local newsagent which will cost a fortune. Aldi on Parnell Street is the closest supermarket I can think of, there's a Tesco in Drumcondra too.

sticksman

I live in Kilmainham myself and would recommend it highly. Yes you see the odd junkie around the Inchicore side of it but other than that it's grand. The Luas line is nearby and there are a number of bus routes heading towards town. Also, you are close to the Memorial Gardens and the Phoenix Park which is great in the rare good weather or just to go for a walk. Trinity College is 15 minutes cycle roughly.

JuliusCaesar

Dublin Cycling Campaign... on facebook and elsewhere.

alastair

Draupnir wrote: »

Having spent some part of my youth in the general vicinity of Mountjoy Square and it's adjoining areas, I wouldn't recommend it to someone moving to the city that has other options in more relaxed and enjoyable areas. You'd need your wits about you at all times walking to and from the area and that doesn't make for the greatest living experience.

Also, there are little or no decent shops within a 15 minute walk of Mountjoy Square either unless you want to do your weekly shop in a Londis or local newsagent which will cost a fortune. Aldi on Parnell Street is the closest supermarket I can think of, there's a Tesco in Drumcondra too.

You need to keep your wits about you anywhere in the city.

Within 15 minutes of Mountjoy Square you could choose to shop in Tesco - Parnell street, Lidl - Moore street, Aldi - Parnell street, Dunnes Stores in the ILAC, Marks and Sparks on Henry street, Moore street itself, Parnell street itself (both fantastic for obscure 'ethnic' foodstuffs theses days), or make your way up to the fruit and veg market. It's possibly one of the best shopping locations in the country (as long as you cast your eye further that suburban shopping malls). Slow walker? Lazy? Then grab a Dublin Bike from the rank on the square and zip to the shops in double time - making use of the basket.

There's some grief comes from living in the N.I. City for sure, but it's generally no more dangerous than anywhere else, and commuting between Mountjoy square and Trinity is nothing for anyone to fear.

lkono

Since starting this thread, I've arrived in Dublin and have been looking at apartments over the past few days. I believe I've narrowed it down to three. Do you guys have any thoughts on the following? All are similarly priced.

A. Ushers Quay
-Adorable Landlord. Super helpful, nice guy.
-Good layout, large. Separate dining, kitchen, living, bath and bed
-3 windows (one in dining, one in living and one in bedroom), South facing
-1st floor
-Balcony overlooking courtyard
-Rooftop garden
-Along river

B. Francis St/The Coombe
-New building, everything is shiny
-1st floor
-Bike parking in the basement
-new furniture, nice appliances
-Sweet landlord couple
-Two windows, living room and bedroom (Southeast facing)
-More of a yuppie building

C. South Richmond St/Harcourt Rd.
-Great neighborhood atmosphere
-Older building, older furniture
-3rd floor walkup
-balcony overlooking South Richmond St.
-two windows (bedroom/living room), but on opposite ends - one east
facing one west facing
-has separate dryer

Cienciano

I'd go with C, South Richmond St/Harcourt Rd.
Great location between Rathmines and the City Centre, with plenty of amenities right on your doorstep too.
You have the canal and iveagh gardens for chilling beside, plenty of shops and cafes, camden street is the walk to town which is full of shops, bars, off licences (well, 1 good one I know of!)
You probably have your own bike, but this is worth checking out: http://www.dublinbikes.ie/, and after a quick google is the same as Capital Bike Share

df1985

richmond st 100%.

alastair

Usher's Quay would be my least favoured - it's a bit dead around there, and the Francis Street place would offer similar convenience with more of a buzz and activity around you. Both are within shouting distance of methadone clinic punters, but that's not to write them off - you should just be aware. Richmond street would probably be the safe option of the three, and has the best public transport links, but traffic's a bit heavy and constant around those parts.

Brokentime

CiaranC wrote: »

?

Rathmines is a few minutes walk to Camden St/Wexford St, the best area to go out in the city.

Seconded.

dRNk SAnTA, if you think Rathmines is the suburbs, you need your head, and feet, checked. Takes about as long to walk to Smithfield from Grafton Street as it would to walk to Rathmines. Also has Luas. And nightlinks (ASAIK).

Brokentime

Cienciano wrote: »

http://www.dublinbikes.ie/[/URL]

Sh1te, I thought this was a link for durty young wans in Dublin

Yillan

alastair wrote: »

Usher's Quay would be my least favoured - it's a bit dead around there, and the Francis Street place would offer similar convenience with more of a buzz and activity around you. Both are within shouting distance of methadone clinic punters, but that's not to write them off - you should just be aware. Richmond street would probably be the safe option of the three, and has the best public transport links, but traffic's a bit heavy and constant around those parts.

I live on Ushers Quay (Mellowes Quay apartments) for the past 3 years so I'm biased, but I think it's a really nice place. Trinity, George's St, Henry St, Jervis, Phoenix Park, Temple Bar, Camden St, Stoneybatter and Heuston Station all within 15 minutes walk. Smithfield and the luas just across the river. Great bars very close by on the north quays. Lidl, Tesco, Centra and Spar 5-10 minutes away on Thomas St, along with any number of nice bakeries, cafes and butchers. 24 hour shop at the petrol station downstairs beside a top class fish and chip shop (The Fryery)

I've never had anyone even look at me funny walking home from a night out in the early hours of the morning, nor have I even been aware that there's a methadone clinic nearby. I wouldn't say it's dead, but it's certainly quiet. No Bayno spitting out customers after the Karaoke (Francis St), or all the gang walking to Zaytoon after Harcourt/Camden St closes (Richmond).

SBWife

Richmond St would be my choice,but I'm biased living nearby I moved from NYC to Pleasant St 12 years ago and love the area of town, plenty of local good value restaurants most independently owned, cafes, and some great bars, butchers, green grocers, ethnic food stores etc. definitely more liveable than the other two options.

condra

I’m a proud Northsider but would still recommend Rathmines / Ranelagh / Donnybrook.

Very nice spots, and handy too.

penana

Just one little suggestion: before choosing any 2nd, 3rd or higher floor apartment without lift access, visit it once more, bringing along about a week's worth of groceries. Then, carry them up the stairs before deciding whether or not to sign that lease. Seriously.

Lawrence1895

penana wrote: »

Just one little suggestion: before choosing any 2nd, 3rd or higher floor apartment without lift access, visit it once more, bringing along about a week's worth of groceries. Then, carry them up the stairs before deciding whether or not to sign that lease. Seriously.

You could order your stuff online and get it delivered to your door as well