Major city · Ireland
Dún Laoghaire
Base here 1–2 nights only if you want Dublin without Dublin prices: DART to the city centre is 25–30 min, and the harbour, piers and Joyce Tower fill a day.
Dún Laoghaire is a 19th-century harbour town 10 km south of Dublin, on the DART line and inside the city's short-hop fare zone. The old ferry traffic moved to Dublin, so the seafront is quiet, walkable and cheaper to sleep in than the city centre. Most travellers come for a half-day on the piers and at the Joyce Tower, or use it as a calm base with a 25–30 min train into Dublin.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Feb (wet, windy, short days)
- Airport
- Dublin (DUB)
- Nights
- 1–2
About Dún Laoghaire
Dún Laoghaire is a port town 10 km south of Dublin, pronounced "Dunleary". It was laid out as a harbour in the 19th century and named Kingstown after George IV's 1821 visit. For nearly two centuries it served as Ireland's main point of entry, linked to the capital by the country's first railway, until ferry terminals shifted back to Dublin in the early 21st century. The town is now part of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County, which had 234,000 residents in 2022.
James Joyce wrote and set the opening scenes of Ulysses here, and the seafront sights sit within walking distance of each other. DART trains reach central Dublin in a short hop, and cruise liners still call at the harbour from time to time.
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- Ireland ↗Ireland is in the EU but not in the Schengen area; it sets its own entry rules and a Schengen visa is not valid for Ireland. Check Irish immigration for your passport.
- Ireland ↗Ireland and the UK form the Common Travel Area, with no routine checks on the land border. Visitors who are not Irish or British must still meet UK rules (including the UK ETA where it applies) to enter Northern Ireland.
- Ireland ↗Driving is on the left; rural roads are narrow with hedges and few passing places.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
See
What is worth your time in Dún Laoghaire.
- Dún Laoghaire Harbour — Two long granite piers, east and west, with the shorter Carlisle and St Michael's piers between them, make a calm place for a stroll since the ferries left.
- Dún Laoghaire Oratory — A small oratory by the west side of Bloomfields Shopping Centre, dedicated to Christian Brothers pupils who died in World War I, with walls decorated by a nun; it is rarely open, so watch for Open House Dublin days.
- National Maritime Museum of Ireland — Set in the former Mariner's Church on Haigh Terrace, it holds the optic from the Bailey Lighthouse at Howth, the MV Kerlogue, material on the sinking of RMS Leinster and the story of Captain Halpin of the Great Eastern.
- People's Park — A small Victorian park with a play area, Tea Rooms, wrought iron railings and gates, and two cast-iron fountains.
- Joyce Tower Museum — The Martello tower at Sandycove Point keeps its gun platform and living quarters much as Joyce described them, and displays letters, photographs, first and rare editions and a plaster death mask of Joyce by Paul Speck.
Do
- Walk the granite piers of the harbour.
- Swim or scuba-dive at Forty Foot Deep, checking the tidal depth first.
- See theatre, live music or dance at the Pavilion Theatre on Marine Rd.
- Watch junior soccer at Kilbogget Park or racing at Leopardstown in Foxrock.
Eat and drink
Specialities of this place.
- Harry's Cafe Bar — On Upper George's St, it serves breakfast and lunches with vegan choices.
- Sushida — A Japanese restaurant in the Harbour Pavilion, open daily from noon to 10PM.
- Hartley's — A smart European restaurant on Harbour Rd by the station.
- Teddy's Ice Cream — A popular chain with two cafes in the shopping centre and one on Windsor Terrace by People's Park.
Customs
- The town name is pronounced "Dunleary".
- Forty Foot Deep is traditionally a male nude bathing area, and in the 1970s female activists campaigned successfully for the right to bathe there too.
- The harbour plaque commemorates the original Laoghaire, a 5th-century High King who used the spot as a sea base for raiding Britain and Gaul.
Events
- People's Park Market — Held every Sunday 11AM-4PM year round in the Victorian park.Sunday
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Dún Laoghaire112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Dún Laoghaire, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR).Ireland-wide
- SIM or eSIMVodafone, Three and Eir run the networks; prepaid SIMs (also 48, Tesco Mobile, GoMo) sell in phone shops and newsagents, no registration fuss.Ireland-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe; occasional local 'boil water' notices are posted by Uisce Éireann.Ireland-wide
- TippingRestaurant with table service: 10–15% if service is not included.Ireland-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Ireland-wide
- SafetyA low-crime, well-lit seaside town; the real risks are cold-water shock at the Forty Foot, slippery pier and rock surfaces…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree in shopping centres, museums, pubs (as a customer) and many petrol stations; some public toilets charge 50c.Ireland-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police, ambulance, fire, coast guard (gardaí) · 999 police, ambulance, fire, coast guard (gardaí)
- Sundays & holidaysShops open Sunday afternoons in towns; rural shops and some attractions close in winter (November–March).Ireland-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportDUB Dublin Airport (Aircoach 703 runs hourly to Dún Laoghaire, stopping by the Royal Marine Hotel; scheduled about 1 h but often slower in traffic).
- Getting aroundThe sights are within walking distance of each other.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee€3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
- Sit-down mealPub main course€14–22 (≈ US$17–30)
- BeerPint of stout€5.50–7 (≈ US$7–9)
- Museum or sight ticketNational Maritime Museum entryAdult €8 (≈ US$10), concession €6 (≈ US$7), child under 12 €4 (≈ US$5)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per person€30 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse or hotel double room, a night, per room€160 (≈ US$190)
- High-end bedGuesthouse or hotel double room, a night, per room€260 (≈ US$350)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €60 (≈ US$70) · Mid €110 (≈ US$130) · High €200 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- DUB Dublin Airport (Aircoach 703 runs hourly to Dún Laoghaire, stopping by the Royal Marine Hotel; scheduled about 1 h but often slower in traffic)
Map of Dún Laoghaire
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
- Dún Laoghaire
- Full city guide
- Basic guide
Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps
Guides nearby
- Dalkey · 3.6 km straight line
- Booterstown · 3.9 km straight line
- Dublin · 9.7 km straight line · full guide
- Howth · 11 km straight line
- Bray · 11 km straight line
- Enniskerry · 12 km straight line
- Malahide · 17 km straight line
- Swords · 18 km straight line
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Feb
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Mar
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jun
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jul
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Aug
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Sep
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Oct
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Nov
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Dec
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)), coolest Jan (3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) low), wettest Jan (13 rain days), driest Jun (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Dún Laoghaire: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
13 rd
Feb
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
11 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
11 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
May
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
10 rd
Jun
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
9 rd
Jul
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
10 rd
Aug
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
10 rd
Sep
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
10 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
12 rd
Nov
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
12 rd
Dec
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
13 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The sights are within walking distance of each other. The DART runs every 10 min through Dún Laoghaire Mallin station to central Dublin (Connolly, Tara Street, Pearse) and south to Dalkey, Bray and Greystones; all of these are in the Dublin short-hop zone. Dublin Bus 46a runs to the city centre every 10 min.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 25–30 min
DART from Dún Laoghaire Mallin to Connolly, Tara Street or Pearse
Short-hop zone fare; trains every 10 min.
Dalkey
goDoor to door: 10–15 min by train
DART one or two stops south, or a walk along the coast road
Castle, church and a compact village centre.
Howth
goDoor to door: 1 h by boat
Dublin Bay Cruises from the east pier (mid-March to September, 12:30 departure, about 1 h) or DART via ConnollyDublin Bay Cruises from the east pier (mid-March to September, 12:30 PM departure, about 1 h) or DART via Connolly
Return sailing from Howth west pier at 15:30; a 2024 adult single was €25 with a €2 DART return voucher.Return sailing from Howth west pier at 3:30 PM; a 2024 adult single was €25 with a €2 DART return voucher.
Door to door: 20–25 min
DART south along the coast
Seafront promenade and the start of the Wicklow hills.
Malahide
cautionDoor to door: 50–60 min
DART north through Connolly
A long ride for a day trip; better as a stop on a northside day.
Door to door: 1.5 h+
DART or bus to the city centre, then bus onward
No direct rail link; not worth the transfer time from here.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Harbour and Marine Road
Sea-view hotels and the DART station on the doorstep; best for a short stay without a car.
George's Street Lower and Upper
The main eating and drinking strip, 5–10 min walk from the station; B&Bs and guesthouses.
Sandycove and Glasthule
Quieter, closer to the Joyce Tower and Forty Foot; about 20–25 min walk or one DART stop from the town centre.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €60–95 (≈ US$70–120) excl. bed
- Mid
- €95–160 (≈ US$120–190) excl. bed
- High
- €160 (≈ US$190)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse or hotel double room1 × 1 night × €160 | €160 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €110 | €220 |
| DART return to Dublin city centre2 × €6 | €12 |
| Aircoach 703 from Dublin Airport, one way2 × €10 | €20 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €20 | €40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €45 |
| Trip total≈ €249 per person per day, bed included | €497≈ US$600 |
2026 estimate in euro; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | €3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Pub main course | €14–22 (≈ US$17–30) |
| Pint of stout | €5.50–7 (≈ US$7–9) |
| National Maritime Museum entry | Adult €8 (≈ US$10), concession €6 (≈ US$7), child under 12 €4 (≈ US$5) |
| Joyce Tower Museum entry | Free |
| DART short-hop single | €2–3 (≈ US$3–4) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The Forty Foot is a tidal, deep-water bathing spot with a rocky entry: check the depth and the tide before you jump.
- The Oratory beside Bloomfields Shopping Centre is rarely open; it may only be accessible on Open House Dublin days.
- Aircoach 703 is timetabled at about an hour from the airport but southside traffic often makes it longer: allow a buffer for a flight.
- Intercity buses do not stop in Dún Laoghaire: you have to go into central Dublin and come back out, or take the train.
Emergency numbers
- Police, ambulance, fire, coast guard (Gardaí)
- 112
- Police, ambulance, fire, coast guard (Gardaí)
- 999
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Dún LaoghaireDún Laoghaire
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Chuig an seoladh seo, le do thoilTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, ambulance, fire, coast guard112
- Police, ambulance, fire, coast guard999
Embassy
No embassies in Dún Laoghaire; most are in Dublin.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- DART Dún Laoghaire → Dublin Connolly: short-hop zone fare, about 25–30 min
- Aircoach 703 Dublin Airport → Dún Laoghaire: about 1 h scheduled, often longer in traffic
- Dublin Bay Cruises Dún Laoghaire → Howth: about 1 h, adult single €25 (≈ US$30) in 2024
Say or show
- Dia dhuit — Hello (jeea gwit)
- Go raibh maith agat — Thank you (guh rev mah agut)
- Le do thoil — Please (leh duh hull)
- Gabh mo leithscéal — Excuse me (gov muh lesh-kayl)
- Cé mhéad é? — How much is it? (kay vade ay)
- Cá bhfuil an leithreas? — Where is the toilet? (kaw will un leh-rass)
English is spoken everywhere; Irish is not needed to get by.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Dún Laoghaire. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Nov–Feb (wet, windy, short days) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
- officialDún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council
- officialIrish Rail (DART)
- officialDublin Bus
- officialAircoach
- officialNational Maritime Museum of Ireland
- officialJames Joyce Tower and Museum
- officialDublin Bay Cruises
- secondaryWikivoyage: Dún Laoghaire, revision 5320383 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Dún Laoghaire
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