Not all that glitters is Rathmines. In first year you may find yourself living outside of the much-coveted Trinity Hall, but fear not, greater Dublin has a lot to offer. If you are one of the many people who applied for Halls but didn’t succeed in securing a spot, know that all is not lost! You’ll find yourself in one of Dublin’s bustling neighbourhoods and might be better off because of it.
Drumcondra
Catherine Hamilton, former resident of Drumcondra: “I lived near Crime Park which is a swift 30 minute walk downhill to college. In good weather, Griffith Park is a really nice place to chill. In bad weather you can’t beat getting a battered sausage and chips or heading to the pub for some cold ones with pals – my local was Fagans or The Big Tree on match days.”
There are many amenities in Drumcondra: the takeaway selection is abundant with a quality array of all things battered. For supermarkets, Tesco and Lidl aren’t far away if you are culinarily gifted. There are plenty of pubs and restaurants too. If you aren’t a fan of getting up that bit earlier to walk to college there are regular buses heading into town such as the 16, 13 and 40 with connections to the airport and links to various destinations outside of Dublin making it easy to bring your laundry home at the weekends. Drumcondra is also close to the DART if you want to plan a daytrip.
Ranelagh
Hannah Harmon Colon, Ranelite by birth: “Living in Ranelagh is not a mere geographical location. It’s an attitude, a set of values, a way of life. Ranelagh is a prime spot for students in terms of location but it certainly has notions and lacks in student-priced restaurants (except for Bunsen and Wowburger). That said there are loads of great cafes! My personal favourite is Nick’s which offers a great cup of coffee at a great price. A flat white is only €2!”
If you find yourself residing in Ranelagh you’ll be spoiled for choice in terms of restaurants, bars, pharmacies, cafes, yoga studios, salons and shops. Beautiful Victorian red-brick houses line the pavements and there are many green spaces where you can relax. Although you are very much within walking and cycling distance to college, the Luas runs from (almost) outside your front door and there are many regular buses into town such as the 14, 15, 65B, 83. In addition to the local supermarkets Ranelagh has a Ranelagh Village Food and Craft market, which is open on Saturday and Sunday every week.
Kimmage
Diarmaid North, former prisoner of Kimmage: “Kimmage is literally where De Valera would have set up his gulags if he had had the chance. I can only describe Kimmage as some sort of no-man’s land, a buffer zone between Terenure and Crumlin. As far as my house went, it was cold, poorly decorated and left you feeling uneasy. It was like something was there, but you couldn’t see it. I am not the only one who felt this way – my father sometimes just didn’t really want to come into the house, purely because it was so grim. We lived just across the road from The KCR. House, which was our local, is the only pub in Dublin not to take card. They were so proud of their status, that they would tell you every time you asked to pay. Stepping inside was like entering the set from Ros na Rún.”
On a brighter note, Kimmage has many places to shop. You’ll find a Tesco Express, Spar and Supervalu and a large shopping centre with a random selection of shops selling bits and bobs and even a diner. Other gems include barbers and hairdressers, and a “party” shop. The great sights of Kimmage include: the Kimmage Cross Roads and Poddle Park. Bus routes available are the 83, 9, 54A.
Phibsborough
Phoebe Eddleston, former champion of Phibsborough (now residing in Ranelagh): “I’d say Phibsborough is great because it is very close to college even though everyone has this idea of it being far out. It’s also very studenty whilst still remaining local. There is a good selection of shops and cafes. It is now in the process of becoming gentrified, therefore becoming more expensive, but still remains a cheaper alternative to the southside. My personal Phibsborough highlights are the cute cottage-like houses and the close proximity to the canal.”
One of Phibsborough’s many cafes with great coffee is Two Boys Brew. For drinking and eating, The Back Page does an excellent pizza and pint. Phibsborough has many bus routes you can avail of such as the 83, 9, 140, 46A, if you don’t feel like walking or cycling into town. There is a Lidl and Aldi within walking distance on Parnell street and a Tesco in Phibsborough itself.
Stoneybatter
Millie Walters and Ellen Orchard, current residents of the Batter: “I think that living in Stoneybatter gives you that feeling of living in a community while still remaining within walking distance of the city. Everyone knows everyone. My neighbour always takes care of us and gives us Easter eggs and roast dinners. It feels quaint but it’s also right in the city. That’s why I love it. Reading a book in Love Supreme is my favourite thing to do.”
“I love my walk into college. On my way in and out I pass two of my favourite Stoneybatter spots: Love Supreme and a 24-hour Centra that serves ice-cream 24 hours a day! If you go by Grangegorman or the Elbowroom yoga studio you’re also guaranteed to pass several trendy families, with trendy parents holding coffee cups while pushing their even trendier babies around.”
Stoneybatter has become a hub filled with great places for a drink or a bite to eat. Along the main street you’ll find many newsagents, an off-licence and towards the top, a Tesco and Lidl. Phoenix Park is also a mere stroll away where you can experience some nature. Stoneybatter is served by the 37, 39, 46A, 70 buses and the Luas in Smithfield. It’s a 30-minute walk or a 10-minute cycle away from college.
So there you have it, a brief guide to alternative areas of student living confirming the existence of good times outside of Rathmines. There’s life beyond halls! So don’t despair if you didn’t get a room – go forth and flourish in Dublin’s fair city.
