Dublin Travel Forum

Hello. I'm looking for help planning our first day in Ireland. I have 4 boys ( 13 - 23) traveling with me as well as my mother and aunt(65) We arrive 9:30 AM and the boys and I have tickets to Dublin vs Wales at 1:15. We will have a vehicle, but don't want to drive due to traffic, so planning to take the bus. How far in advance should we catch the bus to get to Croke Park from the airport at a reasonable time before the game? Which bus route is most direct route? Any suggestions on what the two ladies could do, either near the airport or near Croke Park while we are at the game? Last question -- How long should we expect the game adventure to take....how long is game and how long to travel by bus back to airport afterwards? ( to pick up car and head out of Dublin) Thank you for any suggestions.

to be honest there is no real problem driving towards croke park, but you will have to park a good distance away, say about a mile, to get any parking on residential streets. There is precious little to do in that area of town, so I suggest that you drop off the lads and catch a bus into town. As you will be going 'against the flow' it should be ok. and again when heading back.

A rugger match nearly always runs to time, so presuming it is a 1.15 kick off, things should be done by just after 3pm. Do check kick off times.

If you must use the bus from the airport, then the 41 or the 16 are the local airport buses. Allow about an hour (to be generous). Check out their routes on the dublinbus website. Remember that in any event you will still have a good sized walk in front of you.

just thought - www.mkmap.com is superb, using google maps to overlay bus routes.

it clearly shows how close the 41 goes to croke park. by the way , avoid the airport bus, it's expensice and non-stip, so not much use to you unless youy can convive the driver you are a 'special case ' !

Croke Park is only about a 20 minute walk from the Henry Street shopping area - I suggest you get the bus into town, do a bit of shopping/sightseeing and then head to Croke Park about 12.30. Given Dublin traffic walking would probably be far quicker than bus!! You probably won't be able to get a bus around Croke Park for about an hour after the match until the crowd clears.

just a note if you decide to get a bus from the airport to Croke Park make sure you dont get the 747 airport bus as it does not make any stops and will bring you straight into the city center which is not what you want
As for bringing the car to go to the match i would advise against it as its crazy around the park on match days and thats if you know where you are going - so leave it at the airport and come back for it later and by that stage the traffic shoudl have calmed down

sorry to disagree about the parking. I went to an all-ireland hurling semi a couple of years back (the galway / Kilkenny thriller!) and parked quite easily about a mile from the croker. So many arrive by public transport, or just walk from the centre of town. I suspect nearly all 'away' supporters will do that !

I would suggest getting bus ( No 16 is a local bus- cheap but takes longer or 747 airport bus more direct but more expensive approx €5 each way or aircoach €7 each way or €12 return form airport to city centre, you need to get off on O'connell st ( you can catch all buses back to airport from O'connell st as well, just change sides). There is a tourist office near the Savoy cinema on O'connel st ( bus will drop you fairly near here) you can get map or directions from them. In any case you and the boys can walk to the match easily from O'connell st, most people do. The ladies can go to Clerys dept store on o'connell st for shopping ("older" ladies clothes upstairs) or down Henry st which runs off O'connell st ( look for Spire) or can walk to Grafton st area. Personally I would use the bus as you shouldn't be tight for time and it will take away the stress of parking and trying to drive in "match" traffic ! Enjoy the trip !