Traditionally, Dublin's Southside (south of the River Liffey) is considered wealthier and more "posh," known for Georgian architecture and affluent areas, while the Northside was historically working-class, but this is a generalization, as both sides have affluent suburbs (like Howth/Malahide on the Northside) and gentrifying areas, with some suggesting the East/West divide is more relevant today.
While it is sometimes regarded as less wealthy than the city's Southside, the Northside was originally the home of the city's upper classes and the more privileged of the two. Today, some of the wealthiest areas in Ireland, such as Malahide, Howth, Clontarf, and Castleknock, lie north of the river.
The vast majority of “extremely affluent” Dublin districts are on the south side of the Liffey, while most working-class and disadvantaged areas are in north and west Dublin. The book also reveals that districts in the city centre and the south-Dublin suburbs are the most “atheist”.
Should you stay north or south of the river in Dublin? Most visitors are better off staying south of the Liffey.
If you are on a budget trip, there are some nice districts in the north of Dublin like Glasnevin, home to Dublin City University, or Malahide, where there is a castle, marina, golf course, and a beach in Portmarnock. These towns are around 35 minutes by bus from the city centre.
Rathgar. Rathgar, located 3 kilometers south of Dublin city center, is one of Ireland's most prestigious and sought-after suburbs. Known for its tree-lined streets, grand Victorian and Edwardian homes, and vibrant sense of history, Rathgar offers a sophisticated blend of urban convenience and suburban tranquility.
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The nicest neighbourhoods in Dublin
Portobello. Portobello is a charming and one of the safest neighborhood in Dublin. You will find a lot of residential neighborhood. Just a ten-minute walk from the city center, it offers a cozy, village-like feel.
The smaller Northern Ireland territory was created with a devolved government (Home Rule) and remained part of the UK. Although the larger Southern Ireland was also created, its administration was not recognised by most of its citizens, who instead recognised the self-declared 32-county Irish Republic.
Most of Ireland's top 1% of earners live in its capital, Dublin. The Household Finance and Consumption Survey, 2020, published in 2022, said that the top 10% of wealthy households have more than approximately $881,00 (€788,400) in net wealth.
For most people, a household salary of €100,000 would put a family in the category of “rich”. And if you earned that last year, you were among the top 6.6pc of employees, Revenue figures show. The average gross pay for a PAYE worker nationwide was €42,100 in 2024, while the Dublin average was €49,500.
Dublin 6 has claimed the title of Ireland's most expensive Eircode🤑 New figures from property firm Geowox revealing a median house price close to €800,000. The address includes neighbourhoods like Rathmines, Ranelagh and Dartry.
The Royal Marine Hotel is regarded as one of the finest 4-star hotels in Dublin and has hosted many Heads of State, Kings, Queens and celebrities including old blues eyes Frank Sinatra, Laurel & Hardy and Charlie Chaplin, to name a few.
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Reflecting the high real estate values in the area, Shrewsbury is the most expensive property on the Irish Monopoly board, and is part of the dark blue set with nearby Ailesbury Road.
But that in itself does not mean that an individual citizen in Northern Ireland is necessarily worse off than a citizen in the Republic of Ireland. Average pay is higher in RoI than NI, but so are living costs. Some NI living costs are lower than those in GB, but some (such as groceries) are higher.
We recommend staying south of the River Liffey and close to, or in, Dublin's downtown area.
The most disadvantaged area in the Dublin area is Priorswood B in the north of Dublin City. It has a Deprivation Index Score of -21.6.
But Dublin, like any big city, is not immune to crime. It's important to use common sense and not walk alone at night, especially as a female solo traveler. The US State Department has advised that theft and petty crime have increased in recent years, so taking some basic safety precautions will be important.
A 'good' salary in Ireland generally ranges from €50,000 to €70,000 per year. This would allow a single person or small family to live comfortably, especially outside of Dublin.
The Southside (Irish: Taobh Ó Dheas) is the part of Dublin city that lies south of the River Liffey. It is an informal but commonly used term. In comparison to the city's Northside, it has historically been regarded as wealthier and more privileged, with several notable exceptions.
When choosing a place to stay, don't discount the neighbourhoods outside of the city centre – you can find great hotels in places like Ballsbridge, Donnybrook and the Liberties, which are easy to reach on foot or by bus, DART and Luas.
Ranelagh, Dublin
It was a closely guarded secret while she was there, but Swift stayed in a 200-year-old coach house in Ranelagh on a previous visit to Dublin. A walk around this handsome residential neighbourhood makes it clear why she would have opted to stay here.
Pretty much all the coastal towns in Dublin are lovely, with a few of the bigger ones like Clontarf/Blackrock probably the best. That's not to say there's not great places inland and boring coastal towns, but typically the coast is where to go.
Some of the most famous traditional foods in Dublin include Irish stew, Irish breakfast, coddle, ulster fry, bacon and cabbage, and fish and chips.