Planning your visit
Travelling to the conference venue
Dublin city centre is easily accessible by public transport and participants are encouraged to use it where possible.
By car
The conference venue, The Radisson Blu Royal Hotel Dublin, has a limited number of parking spaces (available to guests and non-guests). There is also a large number of car parks within walking distance of the venue. Attendees who choose to travel to the conference by car are encouraged to familiarise themselves with any restrictions for private vehicles in the city, including one-way systems, prior to setting out.
By bus
Dublin city centre is serviced by a variety of bus operating companies providing services from across the island of Ireland. The bus and coach operator Bus Éireann provides a range of routes to the city centre. Participants can view timetables and book tickets its website. Please be aware that services do not terminate at the conference hotel, so an onward journey by foot or by public transport will be necessary.
By train
Regular trains operate between Dublin and many of the major towns and cities across Ireland. Attendees should be aware that these inter-city trains usually terminate at the main train stations, making another mode of transport necessary for the onward journey.
Trains operate between Dublin Heuston and Galway, Limerick, Cork and Waterford. The Belfast and Sligo trains terminate at Dublin Connolly. Both of these stations (Connolly and Heuston) are serviced by one of Dublin’s tram routes (the red line Luas) and by a number of buses.
By air
Dublin airport is located approximately 10km from the centre of the city.
There is no rail or tram link between the airport and the city, so attendees travelling by plane will need to take a taxi, a coach or a bus.
Taxi ranks are located outside Terminals 1 and 2. A fare for one person travelling from the airport to the conference venue in light traffic will cost approximately €35. However, this is indicative only. Rates are higher between 8pm and 8am, and all day Sunday, and routes may vary depending on traffic, which will increase the cost. Participants are encouraged to consult the Transport for Ireland taxi fare calculator.
Participants can also take a coach from the airport to the city centre. Both the Dublin Express and Aircoach operate 7 days a week. The Aircoach departs up to every 15 minutes and takes 30 minutes to reach the city. The 700 route has stops on O’Connell Street, O’Connell Bridge and Kildare Street. A return ticket for one traveller costs €9 and can be purchased on the website. When booking, participants should be aware that the ticket will not be transferrable unless they have selected the ‘flexible fare option’, available for a small additional charge. Alternatively, a ticket can be purchased on board using cash or card.
The Dublin Express (Airlink) has four routes. The 782 stops at Tara Street, Trinity College and the Pearse Street Rail Station. The 783 stops at Patrick’s Street (Christchurch). The 784 stops at Eden Quay. The 785 stops at Burgh Quay. A single ticket costs €9 and can be purchased on the Airlink website. Some stops are drop-off only, so attendees should consult the Airlink website if they are planning to use the service to travel to Dublin airport at the end of the conference.
Both the Dublin Express and the Aircoach offer packages for city tours and transport to and from the airport. If you would like to see more of the city while in Dublin, this is a good option. See the Airlink website for details.
Finally, Dublin airport is serviced by Dublin Bus’s 16 route. Services depart 6am to 11.30pm Monday to Saturday and 8am to 11.30pm on Sundays. Timetables are available on the Dublin Bus website. The standard one-way fare to the city centre is €2.
Please be aware that card payment on Dublin Bus is not accepted. Travellers can make payment to the driver in coins (exact fare only) or they can purchase a pre-paid ticket (Dublin Bus tickets or a Leap card) in participating retail outlets and at ticket machines at selected bus stops.
Travelling around Dublin
Dublin is a very walkable city, and the conference venue is within easy distance of Trinity College (13mins), and the Camden Court Hotel (13mins), where the dinner will be held. It is close to the main shopping area of Grafton Street (10mins), with a range of hotels, bars, and restaurants located nearby.
Conference attendees who intend to stay outside of the city centre are strongly recommended to download the TFI app which provides live updates and timetables across all transport links.
To avoid having to carry exact fares in coins, participants who will be using public transport should consider buying a Leap Card to use while in Dublin. An adult card can be purchased for €5, with credit being added as needed (this can be done in a newsagents, at a tram stop, or using the Leap Card app). A list of vendors can be found on the Leap Card website.
Otherwise, there is a Leap Visitor Card that visitors can buy (for more information see the Leap Card website). For €16, this will provided unlimited travel for 72 hours.
The Leap Card can be used on the Luas (tram), Dublin Bus services, the DART and commuter rail services, as well as Bus Éireann.
Where to stay in Dublin
Accommodation in Dublin books up quickly, so attendees are encouraged to make their reservations as soon as possible.
Rooms are available to book at the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel Dublin at a cost of around €350 for one guest two nights. However, the venue is within walking distances of a wide range of other options.
Hotels in the vicinity include the Camden Court Hotel, Arthaus Hotel Lower Mercer Street, Marlin Hotel Stephen’s Green, and Hyatt Centric Dean Street. For a three- or four-star hotel within walking distance of the hotel venue, guests can expect to pay between €300 and €450 for a two-night stay.
Hotels or guesthouses outside of the city centre (in Ballsbridge, Rathmines and Rathgar for example) usually offer more affordable rates offer easy access to public transport routes.
Hotels in Temple Bar, on Camden Street, and Harcourt Street are in walking distance of the venue.
These areas also host some of the pubs, bars, and clubs that are part of Dublin’s vibrant nightlife.
Visa information
For participants travelling to the Republic of Ireland from outside of the UK, Switzerland or a country in the European Economic Area, it may be necessary to apply for a visa. For information from the Irish government about visa requirements, please see the Irish Immigration Service website.
Conference attendees are responsible for checking visa requirements and obtaining a visa where necessary.