When to Visit - Arts and Events

Music is very important to the Irish and wherever you go in this lively capital you will hear it, whether from buskers in Grafton Street or in a cosy pub late at night. One word of warning, you may be asked to join in.

Dublin Dining

Dubliners appreciate good food and the increase in demand for good quality has meant that a number of excellent restaurants have sprung up across the city within the last ten years. Every type of cuisine is now available plus the 'New Irish' cuisine that blends rich local flavours with Mediterranean or Asian influences. Traditionalists can still find local favourites such as, 'colcannon', a winter vegetable casserole, 'boxty', griddle cakes and of course, Irish stew.

A trip to Ireland is not the same without savouring the various selections of Irish stout. Usually drier in taste than other stouts, they say 'it's good for you', as it is high in iron content and is definitely worth trying.

Dublin Tipping Advice

The usual tip in Ireland is 10 to 12 percent. This is added to the bill automatically in many hotels and restaurants, as a service charge. Tipping in bars is not expected unless you have table service, when a small tip is adequate. Tipping porters, taxi drivers, etc is customary but not obligatory. Dublin taxi drivers should be tipped 10 percent of the fare displayed on the meter.