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Dublin - Some practicalities please...

Posted by (USA) on

I'm very excited about an upcoming weekend in Dublin - it'll be my first time. I have a pretty good idea of my sight-seeing activities but have two pesky questions for those of you with more experience...

  1. I'm a vegetarian (eggs and dairy ok) and would love to find some good options for veg versions of typical pub food. I've been reading a LOT of menus and not finding much. Lots of frou-frou vegetarian options which don't interest me a whole lot. One of my favorite things to do in London is grab a vegetarian Pie or Fish 'n Chips dinner. Anyone have any recommendations for veggie meals of the more everyday variety?

  2. I purchased the Aer Lingus lounge pass for the morning of my departure flight. I clearly didn't read the fine print because I see now that the lounge is only available prior to the U.S. Immigration Pre-Clearance. Realistically, will I even really have any time in the lounge? My flight is on a Monday at 1250, plan is to arrive to DUB by 0945 - in your experiences with the lounge pass, how does that timing play out?

Thanks very much for any insights or suggestions you may offer!

Posted by
136 posts

Re: airport lounge - check with Aer Lingus to see if your pass gives you access to 51st and Green, which is the lounge that's after U.S. preclearance. I flew business class from Dublin a couple months ago, and attendant at the Aer Lingus lounge advised me it'd be better to spend my time at 51st and Green because of its proximity to the gates and it'd be better to get preclearance out of the way first.

Posted by
163 posts

Hello Maria - and thank you for the information. Unfortunately I'm in main cabin (unfortunate for many reasons!) and business class is required for 51st and Green.

Worst case scenario is I'm out the €30 - and my pride in being detail oriented is a bit dented.

Posted by
15591 posts

I don't remember any particularly good dinners in Dublin so none was memorable, but with one exception (a touristy pub night), none was bad either. The absolute best lunch in Ireland is the daily pub soup. Most pubs make a huge pot of thick vegetarian soup every day. It's served with fresh baked black soda bread and butter. About €5. That and a pint and you're set till supper.

Posted by
136 posts

Happy to help, MNFerst! Is the Aer LINGUS Lounge pass nonrefundable? Maybe you can call & explain your situation and see if they'd give you a refund (I've learned that it never hurts to ask). Also, you can purchase a pass for 51st and Green for 35 euro - see the Dublin Airport's website for more info.

Posted by
163 posts

cascades98225 - thank you! Definitely on track with what I'm looking for - very much appreciated.

epltd - you are very kind to offer your thoughts - thank you. The Farm looks lovely.

Posted by
163 posts

Just returned from my trip and wanted to update for anyone else planning to access the Aer Lingus lounge at DUB.

When I checked in for my layover between DUB and LHR, I asked about my return access and how it worked with US Pre-Clearance. The Aer Lingus staff was wonderful and explained that they always notify via the announcement boards when passengers should make their way down. (It's not a long walk.) They said they've had enough experience to allow people plenty of time. They were right!

I arrived about three hours ahead of my flight home and spent a little more than two hours in the lounge, cleared the US facility and all timed out beautifully so I wasn't stuck at the gate for too long.

Posted by
140 posts

We visited Dublin this past summer. One of our party was ovo-lacto vegetarian. We did not have any difficulty finding something good to eat. Searsons was outstanding. The food was good and the ambiance was super. I didn’t love The Farm. The food was fine. Perhaps I just wasn’t in the mood.

Posted by
409 posts

There is a fantastic restaurant in Dublin Airport that was awarded Best Airport Restaurant in the World 2017.... It's called Marqette Dublin (they also have a restaurant in town). I highly recommend it as they have take away to sit down; organic and local produce.... If your special lounge doesn't work out!

Also - my husband is vegetarian (35 years) but does a bit of fish on occasion. One thing you should know is that you need to ASK if the vegetable soup is vegetarian. I don't know a single chef who doesn't use chicken stock in their vegetable soup. So ask!!!

Susan
Expat living in Waterville

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