Our Aims and Objectives
We are the UK association for all those who research, study and teach global development issues
Find Out More
Getting to the venue
The conference will take place at University College Dublin, O’Connor Building. The coordinates are 53.301364498388736, -6.219916580676622.
Air Travel
Dublin International Airport provides air access to Dublin, Ireland. You can fly to Dublin from most UK airports or as an onward flight from mainland Europe or the global South. Check your carrier for details.
On arrival at Dublin airport connections to the City Centre are provided by either bus or taxi, with buses as the much cheaper option. This is a useful tool to identify timetables and best prices for Dublin city centre. Dublin Airport Bus Services | Routes, Timetables & Tickets.
UCD Dublin campus
Getting to UCD
Travelling from Dublin Airport to UCD is quite straightforward, and there are a few convenient options depending on your arrival time and preference. The airport is approximately 17km from UCD campus.
We would strongly recommend getting a Leap Visitor Card, which offers cheaper fares on Dublin Bus, Luas, DART, and other public transport services. Leap Cards can be purchased at Dublin Airport, most convenience stores/newsagents, and many train or Luas stations around the city and costs 5€ + 5€ to top it up.
Otherwise, the easiest way to “top-up” your Leap Card is to download the Leap Top-Up app, which is available on Google Play and the App Store. You should download the app when you get to Ireland, as it might be difficult to download elsewhere. Instructions on how to add money onto the card are clear and straightforward when you open the app. You can use the same Leap Card across Irish public transport. You can read more about the Leap Card fares and the different routes in Dublin here. Dublin has night buses, like the E1 and the E2 lines, that run 24 hours a day.
Please note that tap-and-go is not a thing in the Irish public transport system.
Yes, you can use cash, but it’s better and easier to get a Leap (Visitor) Card. You can use the Leap Card on the TFI buses, the LUAS trams and the DART trains.
Aircoach (700): https://www.aircoach.ie/ Departs Terminal 1 (Zone 2) and Terminal 2 (Zone 20), operates express services every 15 minutes from Dublin Airport to the city centre, including UCD. The most commonly used option is the Aircoach service, Route 700, which stops close to UCD. There is generally no need to book the Aircoach in advance, as buses run frequently throughout the day and tickets can be purchased online, directly from the driver or from the Aircoach ticket counter located near the bus stop at Dublin Airport. However, pre-booking online can sometimes be useful during very busy travel periods.
Dublin Express: https://www.dublinexpress.ie/ Departs Terminal 1 (Zone 1) and Terminal 2 (Zone 21), fast, premium coach service with multiple stops in the city, including UCD. Tickets can be purchased on board or at the airport.
Dublin Bus: https://www.dublinairport.com/ provides routes from Dublin airport to various parts of the city, including UCD. Tickets can be purchased on board or at the airport.
Taxis
If you are arriving with a lot of luggage or late at night, a taxi from the airport is also an option and usually takes about 25–35 minutes depending on traffic.
Dublin Airport Taxis — Dublin Public Transport – Maps, Timetables and Information
Taxi ranks are located outside both terminals. You can hail a taxi there or book online. Uber and Bolt are not the best options in Dublin, instead it might be worth to download Freenow.
Journey times are approximately:
From Dublin Airport to UCD: around 40–60 minutes depending on traffic.
From Dublin City Centre to UCD: around 30-40 minutes depending on location and traffic conditions.
There are also Dublin Bus services available from the city center to UCD, including routes such as the 39A, E1, and E2, which are regular and affordable options.
If you plan to use public transport regularly while in Dublin, we would strongly recommend getting a Leap Visitor Card, which offers cheaper fares on Dublin Bus, Luas, DART, and other public transport services. Leap Cards can be purchased at Dublin Airport, most convenience stores/newsagents, and many train or Luas stations around the city.
Please also note that Dublin Bus services accept coins only if paying cash directly to the driver, and drivers do not provide change. Using a Leap Card is generally the easiest and most convenient option.
Check the latest timetable and route details on the travel page before your journey, as schedules can occasionally change.
Arriving to Dublin by Ferry
Ferry Travel The routes from Wales and England are:
- Holyhead to Dublin -sailing time3 hrs 15m
- Fishguard to Rosslare – sailing time 3hrs 30m
- Pembroke to Rosslare –sailing time 4 hrs
There is no longer an overnight ferry from Liverpool to Dublin. Currently there are no sailings from Scotland to Republic of Ireland.
Travel onwards from ferry terminals
From Rosslare
Train: Takes approximately 2hr 55m and costs €14 – €21.There are direct trains from Rosslare Europort to Dublin.
Bus: Depart from Rosslare Harbour and run every two hours from 14.42 to 19.02. All services require a transfer at Wexford O‘Halloran Station and take an average of 3hrs 12m.
Driving: the distance is about 164km and the journey takes around 1hr 39m
From Dublin Port
Bus: the bus is No. 53 which runs from Dublin Port to the city centre
Taxis: are also available
LUAS: Red Line tram stop at The Point is located opposite the entrance to Dublin Port but is a considerable distance from the terminal building.
Walking: If you prefer, you can easily walk from the port to the city centre as it is only a few kilometres in distance.
Getting around Dublin
Hop-on-Hop-off-Bus see the top attractions in Dublin with affordable tours and 24 or 48 hr passes
Public buses – operates throughout the city
LUAS – a light tram system, providing a fast and reliable service
DART– Dublin‘s train system
About Dublin
Dublin is the capital of the Republic of Ireland and is on Ireland’s east coast at the mouth of the River Liffey. Its historic buildings include Dublin Castle, dating to the 13th century, and imposing St Patrick’s Cathedral, founded in 1191. City parks include landscaped St Stephen’s Green and huge Phoenix Park, containing Dublin Zoo. The National Museum of Ireland explores Irish heritage and culture.
Things to do in Dublin:
Dublin offers a mix of history, culture, and fun, with top attractions including the historic Trinity College & Book of Kells, Guinness Storehouse, Kilmainham Gaol, vibrant Temple Bar area, and beautiful parks like St. Stephen’s Green and Phoenix Park; you can also explore distilleries, museums (EPIC, National Museum), stunning cathedrals (St. Patrick’s, Christ Church), and enjoy day trips to coastal spots like Howth.
Visit the official Visit Dublin website for a list of activities to do in Dublin. If you’re interested in what to do in Ireland, visit Fáilte Ireland.
Childcare Near UCD
Applehouse Childcare 21, Sydney Ave. Blackrock +353 1 598 6576
Puddleduck’s Creche 148, Stillorgan Wood, Blackrock +353 1 294 8747
Booterstown Childcare 44, Woodbine Ave. Blackrock A94 YH28
Park Academy Childcare Lapwing, Booterstown +353
Mount Merrion Afterschool Mount Merrion Community Centre, +353 87 983 8003
Coco’s Childcare 114,Ascoill Chnoc, Mhuirfean, Blackrock
Flower Childcare 19 Roebuck Road DUBLIN D14 V386 CO DUBLIN
Money
The currency in the Ireland is the Euro. Since the pandemic, it is very rare that any service would ask for cash only; card and contactless, Google pay, Apple pay etc. are usable everywhere from market stalls, to buses, to tube stations. You may need coins to pay for public toilets however, which are not free in the centre or at the stations.
It is worth noting that being the capital city, Dublin is one of the most expensive place on the island, by quite a margin, so it is advisable to come prepared and book things like accommodation well in advance to the conference.
Plug Sockets
Remember to pack adaptors, you will need a British three-prong adapter (if you have US/European three-prong bear in mind it is a different shape) if you have devices that use other plugs. Irish sockets also have a switch on them, make sure you switch it on to allow electricity flow and switch it off again before you unplug your device.
