Living in Dublin

Finding a Place

The first hurdle you'll need to overcome when moving to Dublin will be actually finding a place to live. It can be scary, and finding accommodation in the city can be challenging - particularly if you're organising accommodation from abroad.

The first decision you will need to make when searching for accommodation is whether you want to live in Trinity accommodation, third-party purpose-built student accommodation, digs, or a private house or flat.

• Trinity has approximately 800 rooms for first year undergraduates in Trinity Hall.
  Applications for rooms in Trinity Hall typically open in March and close in early May, and can be made via the Accommodation website.
  
• Trinity's postgraduate rooms are almost all located in the city-centre campus.
  Applications open and close on a rolling basis, so you should look to apply once you have confirmed when you will be attending Trinity. You can apply for a campus room via the Accommodation website.
  
• Trinity also has partnerships with external student accommodation providers at Kavanagh Court and Here! Cork Street. All Trinity students are eligible to apply for rooms in these locations, regardless of year group.
  Check out the Accommodation website for more information.
  
• In addition to the Trinity-run or affiliated accommodation listed above, there are many purpose-built student accommodation locations around the city if you do not wish to secure a room in digs or in a more traditional private flat or house rental.
  
• Students who have a disability or who are facing extenuating personal circumstances are encouraged to submit an 'Additional Needs Application' if applying for Trinity accommodation. Accessible rooms are available. Further information can be found at: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/p3vqny3jnxi2b2r7w412v/Additional-Needs-Application-24-25.pdf?rlkey=zhk8341qofu2poa4kg6l49uh7&e=1&dl=0
  

If you are looking for accommodation in digs or a private flat or house, try to arrive in Dublin early view the property. Many students book a short-stay hotel room, hostel, or Airbnb to give them a base from which to complete their accommodation search when they first arrive in the city.

When searching for accommodation, do not pay a deposit for private accommodation you have not viewed in person.
Most purpose-built student accommodation providers should be able to offer you a virtual tour, so this may be worth considering if you are unable to travel to Dublin before you start your studies.

The Students' Union provides an Accommodation Advisory Service, who you can contact via accommodation@tcdsu.org for help looking for a place, or with concerns about your current crib. You'll be able to find out more on their website, where they also have an accommodation database (many entries on which are exclusive listings): www.tcdsuaccommodation.org.

Apart from the Union's accommodation database, some of the best places to start your housing search are:

• daft.ie
• rent.ie
• collegecribs.ie
• myhome.ie
• property.ie
• www.howmuchrent.com

Tenancy Rights & Obligations

It is vitally important that you carefully review any tenancy or lease agreement before signing so that you are aware of any terms and conditions which may affect your residency in the property. Pay particular attention to whether the agreement lists you as a 'tenant,' and whether your lease has been registered with the Residential Tenancies Board, as tenant status awards you a number of rights which aim to ensure your comfort and security in the dwelling and which may not apply to licencees or other occupants and those living in unregistered properties.

As a tenant, you have a number of obligations under the Residential Tenancies Act of 2004.

You must:

• Pay your rent on time.
• Maintain the property in good order and inform the landlord when repairs are needed, allowing access for them to complete necessary works.
• Not engage in activities that harm the property.
• Allow the landlord to do inspections of the property upon prior request.
• Inform the landlord of who is living in the property.
• Avoid causing damage, nuisance, or breaking the law.
• Comply with the terms of the tenancy agreement.
• Give the landlord proper notice before termination of the tenancy agreement.
• Keep a record of all repairs, payments, and dealings with the landlord.
• Sign the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) registration form when requested to do so by the landlord.
• Don’t do anything that could affect the landlord’s insurance premium on the location.

However, you also have a number of rights as a tenant.

• The rented accommodation must be in good condition.
• The tenant must have privacy - landlords can only enter the accommodation with your permission, unless it’s an emergency. Landlords are permitted to carry out routine inspections of the property.
• Tenants must have a rent book, written contract, or lease with the landlord.
• Tenants must be informed of increases to their rent. A rent increase can only occur once a year (except in certain circumstances when improvements have been carried out to the dwelling) and according to the current market rate, after 28 days written notice.
• Tenants must be able to contact their landlord at any reasonable time.
• Tenants must be reimbursed by the landlord for any reasonable and vouched repairs that are carried out on the accommodation in cases where the landlord has refused or failed to carry out repairs requested by the tenant within a reasonable time.
• Tenants must be given given proper notice before the termination of the tenancy agreement.
• Tenants can refer disputes to the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB).

Gas & Electricity

If you are living in a private house or flat, you will likely need to set up and pay for utilities in addition to your rent.

Most places come with an already established connection to a supplier of gas and electricity. However, to maximise savings and make sure that you’re getting the best deal, it pays to shop around. Switcher.ie is a useful resource to help you compare the cost of providers.

The main providers are:

• Bord Gáis
• Community Power (Electricity ONLY)
• Ecopower (Electricity ONLY)
• Electric Ireland
• Energia
• Flogas
• Panda Power
• Pinergy (Electricity ONLY)
• Prepay Power
• SSE Airtricity
• Yuno Energy (Electricity ONLY)

As when signing a rental agreement, do review the terms and conditions of any utilities contract carefully. Many contracts have minimum terms with hefty early-exit fees, or the price charged may increase dramatically after a certain window. Always check how you will need to pay for your utilities: do you need to set up a direct debit, do you need to pay via an online portal, how soon after the bill is issued does the provider need to receive payment in order to avoid a late fee, etc.

Registration with Irish Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) for Non-CTA/EU/EEA/Swiss Nationals (post-entry)

When you enter Ireland, you will need to show the immigration officer at the airport:

• Your valid passport
• Proof of health insurance
• Your offer letter from Trinity and a receipt for your College deposit or fees (or scholarship letter)
  OR a 'Confirmation of Registration' letter which can be generated via your my.tcd.ie portal
• A bank statement showing your means to support yourself during your stay

When admitting you into Ireland, the immigration officer will stamp your passport allowing you to remain in the state for a period of up to 90 days. Within that time you are expected to visit the Irish Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) and register as a non-CTA/EU/EEA/Swiss student living in Ireland.

ALL non-CTA/EU/EEA/Swiss students, regardless of whether they require an entry visa, must register with ISD in order to obtain permission to reside in Ireland. A student's registration with ISD must take place before the expiry date stamped on their passport by the immigration officials at the airport.

Steps to Register:

To register with ISD for the first time, non-CTA/EU/EEA/Swiss students residing in Dublin city or county, Kildare, Meath, or Wicklow must book and attend an appointment in person at the Burgh Quay registration office. Please call Freephone 1800 800 630 from an Irish mobile or landline phone to book your appointment.

The process of registration and required documentation are outlined on the Irish Immigration webpages.

Once you have registered with ISD, you will receive an Irish Residency Permit (IRP) card which shows that you are legally resident in the state and which will allow you to travel freely from and return to Ireland.

If you are registering outside of Dublin, Kildare, Meath, or Wicklow please see here.

You can find more information about the Irish Immigration process on the Irish Immigration website.

Please note that, depending on the residency status awarded, applicants may have to pay a fee of €300 at the time of their registration.

Students will need to apply to renew their residency permissions annually. Such renewal is typically also subject to a €300 fee.
Information on renewing your residency permit can be found at: https://www.irishimmigration.ie/registering-your-immigration-permission/how-to-renew-your-current-permission/.

Visas, Travel, and Re-entry to Ireland for Non-CTA/EU/EEA/Swiss Nationals

The visa that you will receive in your home country before travelling to Ireland will allow you to enter the country once. Some students will receive a multi-entry visa which may allow them to enter the state on more than one occasion. However, even if you have a multi-entry visa, you will need to have a valid IRP Card (and carry it with you during travel) to allow you to enter and leave Ireland as many times as you would like throughout your studies.

Even if you have a valid IRP Card, you may need a separate visa to visit other countries in Europe such as a Schengen Visa or a UK Visa. Be sure to check a country's entry requirements before booking any trips!

Opening a Bank Account

A bank account is one of the most essential things to set up if you've just arrived in Ireland or if you've been using your Mam and Dad's account up to now.

As several banks have closed or ceased business in Ireland over the last few years, we would strongly recommend that you open up an account with a long-standing banking provider such as AIB or Bank of Ireland.

When setting up a bank account, you will need to make an appointment with the branch you wish to set up as your 'home' branch. As you will likely be changing your accommodation several times during the course of your studies, it might make sense to use a branch close to campus as your home branch. You will need to bring proof of address (you can find this on your 'Confirmation of Registration' letter which can be generated via your my.tcd.ie portal), photo ID, and your student card with you to your appointment. When booking your appointment, it is very important to state that you will be opening a student bank account; banks in Ireland typically charge maintenence and ATM fees on 'normal' current accounts, but there should be no fees on student accounts.

It has become increasingly popular for students to use Revolut accounts as their primary bank accounts. Revolut makes it incredibly easy to send and receive money to and from other Revolut users; facilitates fee-free banking and ATM withdrawals; offers competitive exchange rates; and provides cashback across a range of retailers and restaurants. Paid Revolut subscription plans also provide travel insurance and other benefits. However, the company is still relatively new to the Irish market, so it may be wise to set up a student account with a bricks-and-mortar bank even if you open an account with Revolut.

Regardless of where and how you choose to set up your bank account, please do remember that the process can take up to several weeks (particularly at the start of the academic year). It is important that you have a means of accessing your money during this period. Perhaps you want to take out enough cash to get by, maybe your parents will give you access to their accounts - whatever it is, just don't leave yourself stuck! If you are without access to money at any stage during your studies, please do reach out to the Students' Union Welfare Officer who can offer emergency loans of up to €100, and point you in the direction of additional supports.

Mobile Phone

If you're coming from overseas, one of the first things you’ll want is a fully functional mobile phone - for maps, for social media, and also so you can phone home and let them know that you’re safe. You may have a phone and SIM card from home that you can use during your first few days in Ireland, but chances are that if you don't already have an EU SIM, you'll be best to pick one up sooner rather than later! That being said, generally we would advise students not to buy a new SIM card or sign up to a mobile contract before they arrive in Ireland. You will typically discover that once you're here, you can find cheaper deals offered through the Students' Union, or even advertised on the side of your morning bus.

In Ireland, there are three categories of SIM cards - contract-based bill-pay, pre-pay, and month-by-month bill-pay:

• If you want to avail of a contract-based bill-paying phone , you’ll need an Irish or EU bank account first. You can then visit your local phone shop, or browse online, where - once you've found a plan you like, you’ll typically be asked to set up a fixed-term contract. The advantage of this kind of SIM is that you will know exactly how much your phone will cost you per month, and for how long you can expect to pay this price. You may also be able to pay for a new device as part of your monthly fee. However, do consider the duration of the fixed terms of these contracts, otherwise a few months or a year down the line, you may find yourself paying for a service which no longer suits your needs.
• A pre-pay SIM card is often easier to set up than a contract SIM. You can pick up a pre-pay SIM card from a phone shop or your local supermarket, and then top it up with credit. You can spend this credit on texts, calls, and internet access. An advantage of pre-pay SIM cards is that they often come with deals, like free calls on evenings and weekends, free texts to phones on the same network, or free data when you top up by a certain amount. However, you will need to be mindful of just how much data your favourite apps use up, how much time you spend on the phone, or if you will want to use your phone abroad.
• A month-by-month bill-pay SIM will charge you a flat-rate sum monthly for varying amounts of texts, calls, and internet access. You can pick up one of these SIMs from the Global Room or a phone shop, or you can order one online. These SIM cards work almost like a contract-based bill-pay SIM in that you will not have to pay per text sent or gigabyte of data used. However, with this type of SIM you will not be tied into a contract - instead paying for a month's access whenever you would like to start using your SIM's services. The advantage of this kind of SIM is that you will only have to pay for your phone during the months you are actually sending texts, making calls, or using data in Ireland. The disadvantages are that the companies who operate these SIMs will often define a 'month' as 28 days, rather than the usual 30 or 31, and that the company can increase the price of their services. Even if a company suggests that you will pay a certain amount 'for life,' you will likely only have access to this price if you pay for their service without interruption.

The main network providers are:

• An Post Mobile
• Clear Mobile
• Eir Mobile
• GoMo
• Lyca Mobile
• Tesco Mobile
• Three
• Virgin Media
• Vodafone
• 48

As with most things, when getting a new SIM it pays you to shop around and find the deal that works best for you! Switcher.ie can also help you to compare phone plans.

If you need to buy a new phone, there are plenty of phone shops in and around the city centre, and you can also order your new device online. It is worth having a look around a good few phone shops, department stores, websites, etc., as the prices for phone models can vary drastically across retailers. Please be aware that there are no Apple stores in Ireland, and that you are unlikely to find a dedicated shop for Android phone companies such as Samsung.

Internet at College

Wi-Fi is available throughout the College (including in residences) and you can access it from your phone, laptop, and tablet devices. Visit https://www.tcd.ie/itservices/our-services/student-wi-fi/ to get started.

If you don’t have an internet-ready device, there are plenty of computer rooms in on- and off-campus locations, and you can also find computers in the various libraries. Just log on with your Trinity Username and Password.

If you’re having trouble accessing the internet on your personal device, get in touch with IT Services via itservicedesk@tcd.ie or (+353) 018962000, or visit their Help Desk in person in Áras An Phiarsaigh.

Internet at Home

If you are living in a private flat or house, you will likely need to set up Wi-Fi/internet/broadband if you don't want to be overly reliant on your phone's hotspot or want to ensure that you have a reliable connection for completing College work.

The range of internet providers in Ireland is slightly more limited than the number of providers of other utilities - especially when you consider that you will need to check that a particular supplier actually serves your area and what broadband speeds they can deliver. To find the best deals for your area, head to Switcher.ie, and make sure to enter your eircode when comparing plans. As you evaluate your options, do look at reviews from existing customers; it's all very well only paying a tenner a month for Wi-Fi, but if that Wi-Fi only works 10% of the time, you might be better off having one less pint a month and splashing the cash on better internet!

The main broadband providers are:

• Digiweb
• Eir
• Imagine Broadband
• Magnet+
• Pure Telecom
• Regional Broadband
• Sky
• Virgin Media
• Vodafone

As when signing a rental agreement or other utilities contract, make sure to review the terms and conditions of any broadband contract carefully. Many contracts have minimum terms with hefty early-exit fees, or the price charged may increase dramatically after a certain window. Always check how you will need to pay for your braodband: do you need to set up a direct debit, do you need to pay via an online portal, how soon after the bill is issued does the provider need to receive payment in order to avoid a late fee, etc.

Dublin Transport

Luas

(Pronounced 'loo-iss')

The Luas is the tram system in Dublin which offers a direct link to many major locations in and outside of the city centre. Lines operate direct links to the 3 Arena concert venue, Dundrum shopping centre, and Tallaght and St. James’ Hospitals.

There are two Luas lines, the Red and the Green. The Red line operates between the 3 Arena or Connolly Station and Tallaght or Saggart, and the Green line operates between Parnell Street or Broombridge and Sandyford or Brides Glen.

The Luas will often be the fastest method of travelling between two places, so long as they are both connected to the lines. However, the Red line especially can get very busy during rush hours, and there is no 24-hour tram service.

Bus

(Pronounced 'bus')

Dublin Bus operate an extensive bus network that can take you to within walking distance of the majority of places in the city centre, the wider Dublin area, and some beyond county lines.

The bus is the transport of choice of a large number of Dubliners, as it connects many places which are not on the tram or train lines to each other and the city centre. It is also the only public transport option which runs 24-hour routes. However, you can only pay for the bus using Leap Cards or coins, and no change will be given by the driver if you overpay for your ticket, so it may not be the best option when you first arrive in the city.

More information on bus rates and routes is available at dublinbus.ie.

DART

(Dublin Area Rapid Transit)

The DART is a train service which connects coastal suburbs to the city centre. The DART runs between Malahide or Howth and Bray or Greystones (yes - it really does extend into Wicklow!)

Unless you live outside of the city, or relatively close to a DART station, you are unlikely to use these trains on a day-to-day basis. Using the DART is more expensive than the bus or Luas, and services finish well before midnight and are relatively infrequent during the weekend and off-peak hours.

The DART is, however, fantastic if you fancy taking a trip to the beach at any stage, and the scenery from the trains as they navigate the cliffside tracks is breath-taking. During the warmer months, you'll often find groups of Trinity students on the DART heading down to Dún Laoghaire or Bray for an ice-cream, a stroll along the seafront, and maybe even a fruity cider!

Dublinbikes

If you want to try cycling in the city for the first time, or don't want to fork out a few hundred euro for a personal bike, you can hire a dublinbike by purchasing either a 1-day ticket, 3-day ticket or taking out an Annual subscription. Dublinbikes are an extremely cost-effective way of navigating around the city; with your subscription, you can borrow a bike for free for up to 30 minutes at a time, with low-cost rental charges for any usage period above this.

The best part about using dublinbikes is that you can pick up and drop off your bike at a ton of clearly signposted locations around the city, so you can access a bike when you need it, but not have to take it around with you wherever you go!

Full details on all dublinbike ticket options can be found on the dublinbikes website: www.dublinbikes.ie.

Leap Cards

A TFI (Transport for Ireland) Leap Card is a prepaid travel card that is the easiest way to pay your fare on public transport around Ireland. It is valid on Dublin Bus, the Luas, the DART, and most TFI services and commercial bus operators throughout the country.

We recommend that all students acquire a Child, Young Adult or Student Leap Card. Using a Young Adult or Student Leap Card will save you an average of 50% of the cost of a standard, adult fare on travel nationwide. Using a Child Leap Card can make travel up to 85% cheaper!

You can buy a Child Leap Card if you are aged 18 or younger. If you are 19-25, you can buy a Young Adult Leap Card. Both of these kinds of Leap Cards can be ordered online at leapcard.ie.

If you are aged 26+, you can apply for a Student Leap Card online at leapcard.ie, however you must either collect your card in person, or complete a remote verification process. See www.tcdsu.org for more information.

Useful Apps

The TFI Live App helps you find your way around Ireland by providing real-time departure information for Bus Éireann, DART, Dublin Bus, Go Ahead Ireland, Luas, and Irish Rail services. The app also allows you to input origin and destination points to find the best route for your journeys; search for timetables and maps; and save your favourite journeys, departures, and timetables.

The TFI Leap Card Top-Up App allows you to instantly top-up your Leap Card, check your balance, collect tickets, and see how close you are to reaching your daily and weekly cap values. The top-up feature in particular is a handy alternative to offline top-up, which must be done via automatic direct debit, or at a Luas stop, train station, or Leap Card outlet.