I’ll be traveling next June with my eight-year old son. I found Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel near Dun Laoghaire, which I think he’ll enjoy. But it’s a 45-minute DART ride to Dublin. Will we miss anything by sleeping outside of Dublin? Is the DART ride entertainment on its own? And then lastly, if little legs get tired, is is viable to get a taxi so we’re back to the hotel sooner? Thank you!
Posted by
Lake District, England
7837 posts
The closest DART station to the hotel is actually Dalkey. The DART is mass transit, which can get very busy, especially when there are cruise ships anchored off Dun Laoghaire- quite a frequent occurrence now that Dublin port is not accepting many cruise ships.
When the ships are in, the DART lacks the capacity to cope at peak ship times
The infrequent main line trains to Wexford and Rosslare Europort also stop at Dun Laoghaire-
https://www.irishrail.ie/IrishRail/media/Timetable-PDF-s/temporary-timetables/08_dublin-rosslare.pdf
The DART might be entertainment the first time or two, but probably not after that.
There is a bus #59 from Dun Laoghaire station- which stops just round the corner from the hotel at stops 3097/3101- https://www.transportforireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Routeb-59-timetable-081018.pdf
I think the better route is the bus #703 from the Airport every 2 hours. This stops right outside the hotel (last stop)- https://www.aircoach.ie/timetables/703/pdf?date=2022-12-27&day=
The 3 Arena, East Wall Road is the best stop for the City Centre- the LUAS tram into the City runs from The Point just round the corner.
Without a car you may find this hotel a bit self limiting, without using taxis quite a lot.
Posted by
OP
Brunswick
8 posts
This is very helpful. Thank you!
Posted by
Colorado Springs
2980 posts
Take a look at the seaside suburb of Howth - about 30 minutes via the DART north of Dublin city. It's a very pretty little place in its own right and would be a peaceful (and quiet) haven after a full day of exploring the city.
Anywhere along the DART route in that direction would be worth investigating as more economical alternatives to staying in or near the city center.
Posted by
60 posts
We just stayed (visited in Sept) in Dun Laghoaire and didn't fine the DART too busy and it was about 20-25 minute ride to city center. One caveat was DART was closed on the weekend going towards Dublin due to maintenance so had to take a bus which was a bit longer of a ride into town. We enjoyed staying outside of the city as less crowded and some nice restaurants and pubs in the area. If you want to get away from the city center and don't mind taking DART I would definitely recommend it.
Posted by
20 posts
I have stayed at the Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel with a tour group, and although the rooms were nice, it is not a castle, but just a big hotel. Good restaurants are a bit of a hike away in Dalkey. I would think you could do better going north of Dublin as others have suggested.