Photo Credit: James Moore

TripOut Gay Travel:
Dublin

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Gay Friendly Rating: Gay Friendly Rating Tolerant and friendly; but be mindful about PDAs.
Get lucky in the cool capital of the Emerald Isle.

Dublin Fast Facts:

  • Gayborhood Dublin's gay life has spilled over from the bars into the art scene; but Temple Bar's gay haunts are a good place to start.
  • Dublin nightlife tends to divide up into sophisticated clubs and ordinary pubs. If it's the former you're after, you better look dapper as the door policies are fierce round these parts. For your average pub, jeans and t-shirt will do just fine.
  • Dublin is cozy and compact. Your feet are the best way to get around town. Don't bother renting a car while you're in town. Traffic is heavy and very slow, and there's no free parking during the week.
  • Dublin is expensive. The Republic of Ireland is now officially the most expensive country in Europe. However, costs can be cut down by going for pub lunches rather than fancy dinners and plumping for self-catering accommodation if you are planning to stay longer than a week.
  • Late-night violence is an increasing problem in city-center Dublin, especially around Grafton and O'Connell Street. It's often indiscriminate and for no other reason than the thrill of the fight. Don't let it put you off coming as Dubliners are generally a lovely friendly bunch. Just be sensible. Don't walk to your hotel alone after 11pm and if possible pre-book a taxi to whisk you safely to your bed.
  • Homophobia in the form of verbal insults can be a problem in Dublin's rougher areas and more boozy establishments. Dublin may be the sophisticated glam face of the new Ireland but it's only a few years from a very conservative country of farmers.
  • Pick up a copy of GCN, Ireland's top gay magazine, when you get into town to find out all the latest news and what's happening around town. Usually available in Waterstones bookshops and Tower Records.
  • Dublin's gay life has spilled over from the bars into the art scene and there's a wonderful array of festivals taking place throughout the year. If it takes your fancy, time your visit to coincide with one of the following - Dublin International LGBTQ Pride Festival (http://www.dublinpride.org - June), Dublin Lesbian and Gay Film Festival (www.gcn.ie/dlgff - July) or Dublin Gay Theatre Festival (http://www.gaytheatre.ie/ - May).

Video: Dublin travel recommendations

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From Season 2 of “Round Trip Ticket.” Out with the smoke-filled pubs and folk singers and in with boutique hotels, glam eateries and trendoid clubs in Dublin, Ireland. Marc Savoia and Gabriel meet the friendly Irish, get a little religious... Read More Video: Dublin travel...

Dublin Top 5

Don't leave town before checking out...
TripOut Top Five
  1. Guinness Storehouse
  2. The George
  3. Trocadero
  4. Oscar Wilde House Museum
  5. Book of Kells

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