Dublin

Smaller ships can sail directly up the River Liffey into the city centre.

If an itinerary lists Dublin as a 'Tendered' port, the stop is probably Dun Laoghaire rather than Dublin port. Check both cruise schedules to be certain.

A taxi into town costs around 12.50 Euro. Where your cruise line charges around 10 Euro for a shuttle, a taxi may be the better choice for a small group.

The nearest Luas (Tram) stop, The Point, is one mile from the Dublin cruise terminal. A return to Abbey, 5 stops away and beside O'Connell Street, currently costs €3.30. Leave the Cruise Terminal at Ocean pier onto Alexander Road, turn left, continue to the end of the Road and turn left once more. Head towards the river: the Luas stop is to the right near the big wheel. Trams run every 10 minutes.

Hop on Hop off buses can be joined on O'Connell Street.

Dublin Airport is about 10 km north of Dublin city centre.

Dublin is Ireland's busiest cruise port, with Cobh a close second.

A printable map to bring with you.

From Ocean Pier 33, the walk to town is about 30 minutes; the closest tram stop is 17 minutes away, or 1.4 km.

The Point tram stop is only a 9-minute walk from berth 18 (750 meters).

Ireland's capital spreads across the broad River Liffey valley around Dublin Bay, sweeping from Howth's rocky brow in the north to the Dalkey headland in the south, with the Wicklow Hills providing shelter.

Alongside its grand civic buildings, Dublin is especially notable for 18th-century architecture: elegant Georgian mansions, broad streets and generous squares. The city also has fashionable shopping centres plus cultural and sporting entertainment.

Dublin has numerous public parks, most notably Phoenix Park on its western edge. Once priory land, it became a royal deer park in the 17th century and is now home to the Irish President and the US ambassador to Ireland. The National Gallery, in the west wing of Leinster House, holds more than 2000 paintings.

The National Museum's Irish antiquities range from the Stone Age through medieval times. Its best-known items are the eighth-century Ardagh Chalice and Tara Brooch, plus the 12th-century Cross of Cong. A room is dedicated to the Easter Rising and War of Independence.

Take the open-top Hop on and off bus around the city. It calls at all major visitor sights and lets you get on and off as often as you wish. The drivers are very funny, making it a good introduction to Dublin's layout.

Typical purchases include hand-woven tweed, hand-crocheted woollens and cotton goods, sheepskin items, gold and silver jewellery, Aran knitwear, linen, pottery, Irish crystal and basketry. Grafton Street is among Dublin's principal shopping streets.

Visit the places where Dublin's best-known drinks began: the Guinness Brewery and Irish Distillery both welcome visitors, while Dublin's pubs are famous worldwide. Jameson Whiskey Distillery, home of Irish Whiskey, is 15 minutes from Temple Bar.

The Republic of Ireland belongs to the Eurozone, so its currency, as in many European Union countries, is the Euro (symbol: €). Stand Alone Cash machines (ATMs) are common in cities and towns, and credit cards are accepted in 90% of outlets. Irish ATMs do not generally charge fees, although your own bank may do so.

English is spoken throughout Dublin, but Irish (Gaeilge) is the first official language.

Office hours are 9am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday. Shops generally open 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday, until 8pm on Thursday; Saturday: 9am to 6pm; Sunday: Limited Hours. Pubs operate 10.30am to 11.30pm Monday to Thursday, closing at 12.30am on Friday and Saturday; Sunday hours are 12.30 to 11.30pm. Pubs close on Christmas Day and Good Friday.