Dublin

Dublin sits on the river Liffey, a small capital that has become an outsized base for technology, film, and creative work since the major studios moved European operations here. Crews, photographers, writers, and post-production houses cluster around the Docklands and the canal belt; the tech footprint anchors Sandyford and Grand Canal Dock.

Dublin eats with new confidence: oysters from Galway and Carlingford in the centre, full Irish at the cafes around Stoneybatter and Phibsborough, coddle when you can find it cooked right, plus a strong gastropub culture that has lifted the food in many of the older bars. Coffee is taken seriously in Ranelagh, Stoneybatter, and around Camden Street. Public transport (Luas, DART, Dublin Bus) is workable but not London-fast; many locals walk or cycle. Tipping is 10 to 12% in restaurants and rounded up in pubs. For the country baseline on visas, residency, and tipping, see /countries/ireland.