Settling in · Dublin
Landing in Dublin? Start here.
The first fortnight in Dublin, in order: the paperwork that has to happen, then the places that make it feel like somewhere you could stay.
Week one and two
The order to do things in
1
Ring your Sama contact when you land
Whoever placed you. Tell them you arrived and that you are all right. We check in on you, but ring anyway.
2
Get your PPS number started
You cannot be taxed properly without it and emergency tax is expensive. You need proof of address and your job offer.
3
Open a bank account
Bring your passport, your permit or IRP, and a letter from your employer with your address. Some branches are easier than others, which is exactly the kind of thing worth telling the next person.
4
Get an Irish SIM
A local number makes everything else easier, including the bank.
5
Register with a GP
Do it before you are sick, not after. The HSE finder is below.
6
Register for tax with Revenue
myAccount, then give your employer your details. Otherwise emergency tax eats your first pay.
7
Sort your immigration registration
If your permission needs an IRP, book it early. Appointments go quickly.
8
Find the nearest shop, place of worship and club
This is the part that decides whether you stay. It is also the part nobody puts in a handbook, which is why the rest of this page exists.
Official, and free
Official finders
Run by the State, so they stay current. Search each one for your own town.
Find a GPThe HSE list of GPs, searchable by area. Ring a few: some practices are full and some are not.Get a PPS numberYou need one to be paid properly and to be taxed properly. Apply through MyWelfare once you have a job offer and an address.PPS allocation centres by countyWhere to go in person, county by county.Citizens Information centre near youFree, independent, face to face help with anything: rights, benefits, housing, tax, immigration. Phone 0818 07 4000.Register your immigration permissionIf you need an Irish Residence Permit, this is where it is done and where the appointments are.Find your local Garda stationWorth knowing before you need it. Emergency is 112 or 999.Register for taxRevenue myAccount. Do this early or you will be on emergency tax and your first payslips will hurt.Exchange or apply for a driving licenceThe NDLS decides whether your licence can be exchanged or whether you start with the theory test.Renting: know the rulesThreshold gives free advice to tenants, and the RTB registers tenancies and settles disputes.Public transportTimetables and fares for bus, rail and Luas across the country.
Near you
98 places in Dublin worth knowing in week one
From OpenStreetMap, the map that locals build, plus places our team knows. Every card has a map link. If one has closed or moved, WhatsApp us and it comes down.
Nothing nearby matches that yet. Try a shorter word.
Places of worship
Every faith near you, listed so people can find a community when they arrive. Sama Talent Group is not affiliated with any religion or religious organisation.
Churches
Chinese Gospel Church of Dublin
Christian, Protestant
49 Middle Abbey Street, Dublin
Christ Church Cathedral
Christian, Anglican. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:30-18:00; Mar-Oct Su 12:30-14:30,16:30-18:00; Apr-Sep Mo-Sa 09:30-19:00; Apr-Sep,Nov-Feb Su 12:30-14:30,16:30-19:00; Nov-Feb Mo-Sa 09:30-17:00
6 Christchurch Place, Dublin
St Augustine and St John
Christian, Roman catholic
94-96 Thomas Street, Dublin
Adelaide Road Presbyterian Church
Christian, Presbyterian
18a Adelaide Road, Dublin
About 2 km away
St Finian's Church
Christian, Lutheran
23 Adelaide Road, Dublin
About 2 km away
Church of the Most Precious Blood
Christian, Roman catholic
Fassaugh Avenue, Dublin
About 3 km away
Saint Bernadette's
Christian, Roman catholic
Clogher Road, Dublin, D12 NX05
About 4 km away
Rathgar Methodist Church
Christian, Methodist
Brighton Road, Dublin
About 4 km away
Our Lady of Victories Church
Christian, Roman catholic
Ballymun Road, Dublin, D09 Y925
About 4 km away
Saint Brendan's
Christian, Roman catholic
Coolock Village, Coolock Village, Dublin, D05 XK51
About 6 km away
Mosques and prayer rooms
Buddhist temples and centres
Dublin Buddhist Centre
Buddhist, Triratna. Hours: Mo-Fr 12:30-14:00, 15:00-18:00
James Joyce Street, Dublin, D01 N5H6
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Dublin
About 4 km away
Bluebell avenue, Unit 4 Riversdale Industrial Estate Bluebell avenue Inchicore, Dublin 12 D12E2DP
Worship services: Wed 7:00pm · Thu 5:30am · Sat 10:00am · Sat 1:00pm (children) · Sun 5:30am · Sun 11:00am · Sun 1:30pm
Iglesia ni Cristo, Dublin South
About 7 km away
Mount Merrion Community Centre, North Avenue Stillorgan, Dublin A94 R2Y4
Worship services: Thu 8:00pm · Sun 11:00am · Sun 1:30pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Navan
About 44 km away
Claremont Stadium Macgabhann Suite, Commons road Balreask Old, Navan County Meath
Worship services: Sat 7:00pm · Sun 2:00pm
Addresses and worship service times from the Iglesia ni Cristo directory, checked October 2026. Times can change, so check the locale's own page before you go. directory.iglesianicristo.net
Shops from home
Asia Market
Supermarket. Hours: Th 10:00-20:00, Fr-We 10:00-19:00
18 Drury Street, Dublin, D02 W017
Mick Dowling
Sports. Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-18:00
66 Terenure Road North, Dublin
About 4 km away
Ingredients Asian Supermarket
Supermarket
Unit 8, ALDI complex, St. Margaret's Road
About 6 km away
Oriental Emporium
Supermarket. Hours: Mo-Su 10:00-20:00
30-32 Upper Abbey Street, Dublin
Han Sung Asian Market
Supermarket. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-20:00; Su 12:00-19:30
Great Strand Street, Dublin
Camden Spices Halal Foods
Convenience
Clanbrassil Street Lower, Dublin
About 2 km away
Eurospar
Supermarket. Hours: Mo-Su 07:00-23:00
129-131 Saint Pappin's Road, Dublin, D09 E798
About 4 km away
Eurasia
Supermarket. Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-20:00; Su 12:00-20:00
unit 1, Fonthill Business Park, Clondalkin
About 10 km away
Food and takeaways
Pho Kim
Vietnamese. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th,Su 12:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 12:00-23:00
162 Parnell Street, Dublin
Nando's
Chicken, portuguese. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Tu 11:30-22:00; We, Fr-Su 11:00-22:00; Th 12:00-22:00
51-52 Mary Street, Dublin
Boojum
Mexican. takeaway. Hours: Mo-Su 11:30-20:00
73 South Great George's Street, Dublin
Boss Stop
Asian. restaurant. Hours: Su-We 12:00-21:30; Th-Sa 12:00-22:00
24 George's Street Great South, Dublin
Sanai
Nepalese. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Fr 12:00-14:30, Sa 17:00-11:30, Su 17:00-22:00
17A Baggot Street Lower, Dublin, D02 YN96
Neon
Asian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 12:00-22:00
17 Camden Street Lower, Dublin
About 2 km away
RongCheng
Chinese. takeaway. Hours: Mo-Su 11:00-22:00
33 Baggot Street Upper, Dublin
About 2 km away
Camile
Thai. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 12:30-23:00
133 Rathmines Road Lower, Dublin
About 3 km away
HX46
Asian. takeaway. Hours: Mo-Su 10:00-22:00
46 Harold's Cross Road, Dublin
About 3 km away
Rasoi
Indian. takeaway. Hours: 04:00-23:00
2 Fields Terrace, Dublin
About 3 km away
Nightmarket
Thai. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 16:00-22:00
120 Ranelagh, Dublin, D06VF76
About 3 km away
Saba To Go
Thai, vietnamese. takeaway. Hours: Mo-Fr 16:00-23:00, Sa-Su 14:00-23:00
13 Rathgar Road, Dublin
About 3 km away
Sports and clubs
Swan Leisure
Multi, swimming, badminton, soccer, volleyball, spinning. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Th 07:00-22:00; Fr 07:00-21:00; Sa-Su,PH 10:00-18:00
Rathmines Road Lower, Dublin
About 3 km away
Naomh Mearnóg GAA Club
Gaelic games. Sports centre
Torcaill Portmarnock
About 12 km away
Terenure College Rugby Club
Rugby union. Sports centre
Greenlea Grove, Dublin
About 5 km away
ALSAA
10pin, athletics, badminton, bowls, bridge, chess, field hockey, fitness, gaelic games, golf, martial arts, rugby union, soccer, softball, snooker, squash, swimming, table tennis, tennis. Sports centre
Zone D
About 8 km away
Saint Mochta's Football Club
Soccer. Sports centre
Porterstown Road, Blanchardstown
About 10 km away
Craobh Chiaráin Hurling and Football Club
Gaelic games. Sports centre
R139 Dublin
About 8 km away
Fishing spots and tackle shops
Rory's Fishing Tackle
Tackle shop, and the place to ask where to fish and about permits. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:30-18:00; Su 11:00-16:30; PH 11:00-16:00
Temple Bar, Dublin
A.B.C. Fishing Tackle (Don't fall in - we need the business!)
Tackle shop, and the place to ask where to fish and about permits. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-18:00
15 Mary's Abbey
Days out and things to do
Gravity Climbing Centre
Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 12:00-22:00, Sa-Su 10:00-20:00
Goldenbridge Industrial Estate, Dublin, D08 HF68
About 4 km away
Awesome Walls Dublin
Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-22:00; Sa, Su 10:00-20:00; PH 10:00-22:00
Unit 6, Northern Cross Route, D11 YP40
About 7 km away
Driving schools
Alexandra School of Motoring
Driving school
5 Marino Mart, Dublin, D03 VW10
About 2 km away
Community and support groups
Sean O'Casey Community Centre
Community centre
18-26 Saint Mary's Road North, Dublin, D03 AY74
About 2 km away
Our Lady's Hall - Drimnagh Community Centre
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Su 09:00-18:00, 22:00-22:00
212/218 Mourne Road, Dublin, D12 DW68
About 5 km away
Ongar Community Centre
Community centre
Ongar Distributor Road, Ongar, D15 VR72
About 13 km away
YMCA Dublin Community Hub
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-22:00, Sa 09:00-16:30
53 Aungier Street, D02 PT67
Beechwood Parish Pastoral and Community Centre
Community centre
Mountain View Road, Dublin
About 4 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Hot towel and traditional shaves
Barbers and salons
Q&M Hair and Beauty Salon
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-We 10:00-19:00; Th-Sa 10:00-20:00; Su 12:00-18:00
3 Capel Street, Dublin
Sankiev
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu-We 09:00-17:30, Th 09:00-19:30, Fr 09:00-17:30, Sa 09:00-17:00
3 Trinity Street, Dublin
The Natural Cut
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-18:30; Su off
33-34 Wicklow Street, Dublin
David Marshall Hair Salon and School of Hairdressing
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-We 09:00-18:00, Th 09:00-19:00, Fr-Sa 09:00-18:00
12 Fade Street, Dublin
SitStil
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu-We 09:00-18:00, Th-Fr 09:00-20:00, Sa 09:00-17:00
17 Drury Street, Dublin
Reds
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu-We 09:30-17:30, Th-Fr 09:30-18:30, Sa 09:30-16:30
21 Dawson Street, Dublin, D02 TK33
Moyo Hairdressing
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu 10:00-19:00, We 08:00-19:00, Th 08:00-21:00, Fr 08:00-19:00, Sa 09:00-17:00, Su 11:00-17:00
Charlotte Way, Dublin
About 2 km away
Grafton Barbers
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Sa 10:30-18:00
52 Ranelagh, Dublin
About 3 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Central Catholic Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
74 Merrion Square South, Dublin, D02 R206
Irish Traditional Music Archive
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-17:00; Th 10:00-20:00
73 Merrion Square South, Dublin
Edward Murphy Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Su 09:30-20:30
100 Thomas Street, Dublin, D08 K521
Dublin City Public Libraries - Kevin Street Branch
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,We,Fr 13:00-20:00; Tu,Th 10:00-17:00
18 Kevin Street Lower, Dublin, D08EY79
Drumcondra Public Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,We,Fr,Sa 10:00-13:00,14:00-17:00; Tu,Th 12:45-16:00,16:45-20:00; Su,PH closed
Millmount Avenue, Dublin, D09 PT78
About 2 km away
Ringsend Public Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,We 12:45-16:00,16:45-20:00; Tu,Th-Sa 10:00-13:00,14:00-17:00; Su 07:45-17:00; PH closed
Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin, D04 Y970
About 2 km away
Marino Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 12:45-16:00, 16:45-20:00, Tu 10:00-13:00, 14:00-17:00, We 12:45-16:00, 16:45-20:00, Th-Sa 10:00-13:00, 14:00-17:00
14-20 Marino Mart, Dublin, D03 VW10
About 3 km away
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. We do not make places up: if the map has it wrong, fix it on openstreetmap.org and it comes through at the next refresh.
Saving money
What locals use to spend less
The shops and sites people here use for cheap clothes, second-hand furniture, a car, and the weekly shop. We are not paid to list any of them.
DoneDealIreland's biggest site for second-hand cars, vans, tools and furniture. Check a car's history before you pay.Adverts.ieSecond-hand everything, often for very little, with plenty given away free.Facebook MarketplaceFurniture, bikes and household things from people near you. Meet in public, and never pay before you see it.PenneysCheap everyday clothes, work basics and bedding.Aldi and LidlThe cheapest big supermarkets for the weekly shop.Mr PriceDiscount stores around the country for household bits, cleaning products, toiletries and snacks.DealzHousehold bits and snacks for a euro or two.Too Good To GoSurprise bags of food from cafes, bakeries and supermarkets at the end of the day, at a fraction of the price.Charity shopsClothes, coats and furniture, and the money goes to a good cause.Bonkers.ieCompare phone, broadband, energy and bank costs, free.
Getting around
Getting around from Dublin
Transport for IrelandThe national journey planner, Leap card and the TFI Go app.Irish RailTrain times, tickets and the commuter routes.Bus ÉireannTown and intercity buses across the country.
Driving here on your licence
A licence from the EU or EEA can be used while it is valid and exchanged for an Irish one. A licence from a state Ireland has an exchange agreement with can be exchanged when you take up residence. From other countries you start with a learner permit and take the theory test, lessons and the driving test. Professional drivers may also need their Driver CPC.
Check your licence with the RSA Exchange it through the NDLS
Hiring a car
Each rental company sets its own rules on age, how long you have held your licence and which licences it accepts, and young drivers often pay more. Check those rules before you book, and bring your licence and passport to the desk.
Driving rules taken from the official pages linked above, checked October 2026. They change, so the official page is the one to rely on.
While you are here