For anyone looking to go to Dublin... finding accommodation is a nightmare and it will get worse after Jan when the hotels go on sale (as those waiting to see what the con has to offer will make their decision and may look elsewhere). This week, it was clear with my interactions from house owners that they are getting a lot of queries and bookings for the con.
I've just booked a place with a few other Chronners, and here's the lowdown I got from the Dubliners before I did so (I'm not from Dublin, and it's a bit of a maze of a city)
The city centre is ruinously expensive.
The luas is two tram lines that cross the city. The green line runs to the south, the red to the north. They do not directly join up but you can walk between them to join to the other line. However, for the purposes of the Con, you want to be on the red line. Those run frequently, and until quite late. Going out as far as Red Cow takes about half an hour on the line.
The Dart is the train network. You can use it and stay a little out of Dublin - I'd advise to the north, as the con is in the north of the city.
Driving is a complete nightmare. I'm going to bring my car, have a nervous breakdown getting it to the house, and then leave it there for the week. I'm only doing that because I'm bringing books for my publisher. It's easy to get into the city from the airport by bus or taxi - and I'd advise doing that rather than hiring a car.
I've just booked a place with a few other Chronners, and here's the lowdown I got from the Dubliners before I did so (I'm not from Dublin, and it's a bit of a maze of a city)
The city centre is ruinously expensive.
The luas is two tram lines that cross the city. The green line runs to the south, the red to the north. They do not directly join up but you can walk between them to join to the other line. However, for the purposes of the Con, you want to be on the red line. Those run frequently, and until quite late. Going out as far as Red Cow takes about half an hour on the line.
The Dart is the train network. You can use it and stay a little out of Dublin - I'd advise to the north, as the con is in the north of the city.
Driving is a complete nightmare. I'm going to bring my car, have a nervous breakdown getting it to the house, and then leave it there for the week. I'm only doing that because I'm bringing books for my publisher. It's easy to get into the city from the airport by bus or taxi - and I'd advise doing that rather than hiring a car.
