Ireland’s capital city is not only its largest, but also the country’s economic centre. In 2019, Ireland received 11.3 million overseas visitors, with 59% of these heading to Dublin. With tourism at its heart, buoyed by a flourishing tech industry, the city continues to draw thousands of business travellers – whether simply visiting Dublin for a short trip or relocating to Dublin as part of a longer-term career move. To help you on your business trip to Dublin, we present our ultimate business travel guide to the city.
Relocating to Dublin
If you’re looking to relocate to Dublin and you’re from Europe, the process is refreshingly straightforward. Even UK citizens are entitled to live and work in Ireland – this is because of the Common Travel Area arrangement between Ireland and the UK. Similarly, as Ireland is part of the EU, citizens of the EU, EEA, and Switzerland can live and work in Ireland free from visa or employment permit requirements.
Non-EU and Non-EEA citizens, on the other hand, are required to apply for an Irish visa when relocating to Dublin. For more information about this process, head straight to the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INS) website. There are five types of visas that foreign nationals in this case can apply for: Short Stay, Long Stay, Re-entry, Transit, and Multiple Entry. Those planning to work in Dublin should apply for a Long Stay visa and an employment permit.
It's no secret that many Dublin serviced apartments cater to those with pets. If you’re considering bringing a pet with you when relocating, Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has all the information you need to know. While bringing pets into Ireland from the EU is relatively straightforward (assuming your pet has a microchip, is vaccinated against rabies, holds an EU passport or health certificate, and has been treated for tapeworm), bringing a pet from elsewhere is more logistically challenging. For a full breakdown, head to the Irish government’s dedicated website for pet travel.
Key Dublin neighbourhoods
Dublin Docklands
If you’re visiting Dublin on business, there’s a high chance you’ll be heading to the Docklands area. Formally a centre of maritime trade, the Docklands became home to the Irish Financial Services Centre in 1987. This in turn catalysed renewed development and investment in the area, making it the de facto business hub of the city.
Today, over 500 firms operate in the Docklands, including major banks, insurance companies, and more recently technology brands such as Google and Airbnb (indeed, the prevalence of technology companies has resulted in the immediate area being dubbed Silicon Docks). Furthermore, many startups are choosing the Docklands as their home, not least due to the numerous support packages and incentives on offer. If in need of accommodation in the area, Staycity Aparthotel City Quay is not only conveniently located close to the Docklands, it also provides some of the best serviced apartments Dublin has to offer.
Smithfield
Located north of the River Liffey, Smithfield is a Dublin suburb with a focal public square once used as the city’s open market. Another neighbourhood which has seen considerable regeneration and development, Smithfield is now increasingly popular with young professionals due to its vibrant arts scene and nightlife - if you like to be at the heart of the action when on a business trip to Dublin, Smithfield is for you.
In addition to bars and restaurants, the neighbourhood boasts key attractions such as the Jameson Distillery Chimney tower and observation deck and the Light House Cinema.
Portobello
Portobello is situated in the southern city centre and is one of the most desirable suburbs in Dublin. Featuring a mix of Victorian redbrick and town houses, the neighbourhood is part suburb, part city, and comprises quiet leafy streets as well as busy main thoroughfares.
On any given day in Portobello, residents can be seen walking along the Grand Canal, enjoying the many local cafes and pubs, and making the most of the vibrant shops and cultural hubs the area has to offer. For those looking to enjoy a slice of suburbia when visiting Dublin, we recommend the contemporary Iveagh Court Apartments or the lavish Premier Suites Plus Dublin Leeson Street.
Things to know when visiting Dublin
Climate
Due to its northerly coastal location, Dublin is typically cool and humid year-round. This means temperatures rarely exceed 20°C, and in winter tend to rest between -5 and 5 °C – so it’s best to pack warm clothes whenever you visit. Similarly, Dublin experiences high levels of rainfall, despite being in the least rainy part of the country, and unfortunately the city also experiences a low amount of sunshine – but Spring is your best chance for catching some rays!
Attractions
There are plenty of attractions to enjoy during your business trip to Dublin. The city is synonymous with Guinness, and so a trip to the Guinness Storehouse is almost a rite of passage when visiting Dublin. Boasting seven floors of brewing history, the tour ends with a pint of Guinness overlooking the Dublin skyline.
The city is also home to several historic buildings which are open to the public. From the prehistoric Dublin Castle to the picketed Ha’penny Bridge, Dublin has history to discover around every corner. There are also many modern architectural marvels to visit, such as the 120 metres tall Spire on O’Connell Street and the brutalist Berkeley Library built in 1967.
Culture
The good news for those relocating to Dublin is that the city’s residents are consistently voted as the friendliest in the world. A good sense of humour is a must, as Dubliners are renowned for their love of ‘craic’ (having a good time). As such, you can always expect a warm welcome in any of the city’s numerous bars and pubs, where live music, a festive atmosphere, and endless pints of the good stuff are guaranteed.
Eager to learn more about Dublin? Why not explore our top five serviced apartments in Dublin, or peruse the best restaurants for business meals in the city? If you’d like to learn more about Dublin’s industry, read our blog on the city’s blend of ancient history and modern industry.
