Please note! The info in this article is... um... a couple years out of date. There's still some valid info in it, worth keeping up for posterity. Check other sources before counting out your bus fare, OK? Thanks, Mick
Coming in to land at Dublin Airport, the likely point of entry for most visitors to Ireland, passengers on one side of the plane will have a sweeping view of the city, lights all the way south to the Wicklow Mountains. Out the other side the view is all neat green squares of enclosed fields, farmland and pasture up through Malahide and Rush to County Meath.
Construction began on the site, north of the city, in 1940. Between cargo and passenger service, traffic now amounts to 103 flights a day to the UK, 32 to Europe and 4 flights a day to the US, in the summer. Seven million passengers passed through the terminal in 1994. The volume reflects the growth of the capital it serves: the 250,000 sq. ft expansion scheduled for completion by the year 2000, a pilot cheerfully reassured our flight one rainy day, should include covered walkways to the terminal.
The airport has been in the news a good bit lately. One reason is labour trouble (or is it "management trouble" -?) the last few years. In 1997, there were two strikes by Servicair employees, centering around secret cameras recording who went to the jacks how often.
Aer Lingus and many other airlines fly out of Dublin Airport. Aer Lingus is OK. Be warned: Ryanair, the Irish no-frills operation, will do everything in their power to rip you off. They are scum. Avoid at all costs!
One final note: after collecting your bags at the baggage carousel and changing the Currency Exchange there, after trotting through the Green Channel for "No Goods To Declare" or the Blue One if you're coming in from the E.U.--- outside on the pavement, if you're not met in the arrivals hall there--- DON'T TAKE THE EXPRESS BUS TO THE CITY CENTRE. It's £2.50 or £3.00, number 747 or 748. Wait a few minutes at the bus stop a few down for the 41, 41B, or 41C. They take you to the same place nearly as quick for £1.15.
- Added to the DFA Guide, February 1998.
Guide Index Red words? Check the Dub Glossary!