Guides
The historical seaside town of Dún Laoghaire provides an expansive variety of performance locations ranging from theatres to bars, clubs, hotels, parks, piers and plazas. With these excellent venues and Dún Laoghaire's heritage as Ireland's Cultural Port the Festival of World Cultures has a natural and supportive home. "A Festival Town situated only 8km from the capital!"
For further information on Dún Laoghaire visit the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Tourism Company website: www.dlrtourism.com
DúN Laoghaire - Our Town
With a historical pier, a vibrant port, many parks and open space plazas, not to mention Teddy's Ice Cream Parlour and the 40-foot - many things come to mind when you think of the vibrant seaside town of Dún Laoghaire.
Historically, the port of Dún Laoghaire was viewed as the final point of departure for people who emigrated from Ireland. Fast-forward to the 21st Century and the heritage of Dún Laoghaire as Ireland's cultural port is still significant as it plays host to the Festival of World Cultures, the summer's biggest multicultural world music celebration.
Lying just 12 kilometres south of Dublin city and easily accessible by public transport, Dún Laoghaire has a plethora of thriving restaurants, cafes, pubs, clubs and venues. For further information on Dún Laoghaire visit the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Tourism Company website: www.dlrtourism.com
For 3 celebratory days in August (22nd - 24th), Dún Laoghaire becomes 'your town' as you enjoy 'your Festival'. So please enjoy it responsibly and treat Dún Laoghaire and its residents with special consideration and appreciation for letting us all have a giant global gathering on their doorstep!
To help ensure the Festival's continued success and for the purpose of everyone's enjoyment over the weekend, please support us by informing yourself of the following:
Alcohol Consumption
It is not permitted to drink alcohol on unlicensed premises and every effort will be made by the organisers and the Garda Síochána to enforce this bye-law. This includes the following venues: Newtownsmith Main Stage, People's Park, Harbour Plaza and the Pier. In addition it is illegal to drink alcohol on the streets by day or night.
'Anti Social' Behaviour
Please don't be loud and disorderly. When leaving licensed premises at night, do so in a responsible manner. Rowdy congregations (no matter how much fun you are having!) late at night do us no favours. Respect that the festival takes place in a residential town. Anti social behaviour will put the future of the festival in jeopardy.
Recycling and Litter
The Festival works hard to manage the litter issue over the weekend, however, we need your help to keep this under control. With 250,000 people disposing of waste it is a massive undertaking to keep Dún Laoghaire tidy. Support us in our effort to reduce waste. We ask you to please never leave rubbish behind you. If there is no bin near you, or if the nearest bin is full, please hold on to your rubbish until you see one - recyling bins are provided, be responsible and use them.
We are encouraging all traders who use disposable containers to purchase eco friendly products, this list is available as part of the Traders Application form
Illegal Trading
Please be aware that it is illegal to trade or busk throughout the festival site without a permit. For further information please see Markets Traders or Busking
Getting Here and Around
“Travel the Green Way and reduce traffic congestion!”
Everyone these days is conscious of the need to be more environmentally aware. The Festival of World Cultures would like to encourage people to arrive 'The Green Way'. Please make use of Dún Laoghaire's extensive public transport network. Thanks to Dublin Bus and the DART, extra services including a special late night 'Nite Link' bus will be provided over the festival weekend. See link for schedule of services.
Dublin Bus DART Walking & Cycling Local Taxi Cars & Parking Rail Airplane Ferry
Dublin Bus
We are delighted that Dublin Bus is once again on board with the Festival as a major sponsor. Dublin Bus is committed to making the Festival accessible to you by providing an extended timetable over the Festival weekend. As well as an extended bus service Dublin Bus shall also provide a late night 'Nite Link' service.
Regular Services to Dún Laoghaire: 7, 7a, 45a, 46b, 46x, 59, 75, 111, 145, 746
Extra Daytime Servicec over Festival Weekend: 7, 45a, 111, 145
Late Night NITELINK Courtesy of Dublin Bus Services from Dun Laoghaire
Bus No.46a
Friday 22nd: 12.30am 1.30am 2.30am
Saturday 23 rd: 12.30am 1.30am 2.30am
Sunday 24th: 12.30am 2.00am
Dun Laoghaire Dart Station, Foxrock, Leeson St, City Centre
Bus No.7
Friday 22nd: 12.30am 1.30am 2.30am
Saturday 23 rd: 12.30am 1.30am 2.30am
Sunday 24th: 12.30am 2.00am
Route: Dun Laoghaire Dart Station, Blackrock, Donnybrook, Merrion Rd, City Centre
Dart
DART is committed to making the Festival accessible to you by providing an extended timetable over the Festival weekend.
Regular Sevice Details:
Last Dart Southbound from Dun Laoghaire
Friday 22nd/Saturday 23rd To Bray: 23.43 To Greystones: 23.52
Sunday 24th To Bray: 23.53 To Greystones:23.12
Last Dart Northbound from Dun Laoghaire
Friday 22nd/Saturday 23rd To Connolly: 23.38 To Howth: 22.58
Sunday 24th: To Connolly:23.48 To Howth: 23.28
Pleae log on to www.dart.ie for more details
Walking and Cycling
Want to make the effort of getting here under your own steam but don't know the best route to use? Why not use the One Small Step Campaign route planner to get you here.
Local Taxi
Dalkey Cabs: 285 4444
VIP Cabs: 284 4444
Blackrock Cabs: 288 9911
Cabs 2000: 269 1111
City Cabs: 872 7272
Dalkey Taxis: 285 7777 & 285 7799
City Cabs: 668 3333
NRC Taxis: 677 2222
Southside Cabs: 283 6622
Driving & Parking
Over 250,000 people descended on Dún Laoghaire to attend the Festival of World Cultures in 2007, and this number may rise this year. With road closures and diversions in place, this will lead to heavy congestion and delays. So if possible, please leave your car at home and arrive 'The Green Way'.
Road Closures
Road closures and diversions will be in place over the Festival weekend. Please check back for details.
Parking
Pay and Display parking charges will not apply on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th from Glasthule to Monkstown, courtesy of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Transport Department.
Please note this does not apply to Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company property or the Blackrock area.
Windsor Terrace & Martello Terrace car parks will be closed from 4pm Friday 22nd August until 10pm Sunday 24th August.
Car Park Opening Times
Pavilion
Fri: 7.00am - 12.30am
Sat: 8am - 12 midnight
Sun: 10am - 11pm
Bloomfields Shopping Centre
Fri: 6.30am - 9.45pm
Sat: 6.30am - 9.45pm
IMC @ Bloomfields
Fri: 1pm - 9.45pm
Sat: 12 midday - 9.45pm
Sun: 12 midday - 9.45pm
Dún Laoghaire Shopping Centre
Fri: 8am - 9pm
Sat: 8am - 7pm
Glasthule, Main St.
Open All Hours, Public Space
Eden Park
Open All Hours, Public Space
Clarinda Park
Open All Hours, Public Space
Rail Information
All national rail services terminate at Heuston Station Dublin except for trains on the Belfast rail service which teminates at Connolly Station.
Heuston Station to Dún Laoghaire: Take the Luas to Connolly Station and then get a Southbound Dart to Dún Laoghaire.
Connolly Station to Dún Laoghaire: Take a connecting Southbound Dart to Dún Laoghaire.
For further information on fares and timetables, please visit: www.irishrail.ie
Flying to Dublin
Dublin Airport: www.dublin-airport.com
The Patton Flyer is a special bus service that runs directly from Dublin Airport to the Royal Marine Hotel in Dún Laoghaire and vice versa.
From Dublin Airport there is an Aircoach bus service that brings you to Dublin city centre. From the city centre you can catch a DART serivce or a bus to Dún Laoghaire very easily.
For more information on fares and timetables, please visit:
www.thepattonflyer.ie
www.aircoach.ie
Sailing to Ireland
Stenaline Ferry run daily services run between Dún Laoghaire and Holyhead, please see www.stenaline.ie for further details.
Timetable information correct until Jan 09
Check in no later then 45 minutes before departure.
Dún Laoghaire to Holyhead (approx 99 mins)
Holyhead to Dún Laoghaire (approx 99mins)
Depart: 11:10 Arrive: 12:45
Depart: 18:00 Arrive: 19:39
Depart: 08:55 Arrive: 10:34
Depart: 15:15 Arrive: 17:04
Festival Box Office
If you haven't already bought your ticket on-line for that special headline concert, workshop or event or called the booking number 01-872 1122, you can call into the Festival Box Office on site
Festival Box Office at the Pavilion Theatre
Monday 18th - Thursday 21st: 12 midday - 6pm
Friday 22nd & Saturday 23rd: 10am - 10pm
Sunday 24th: 10am - 7pm
Venues
One of the oldest pubs in Dublin, a 21st century theatre space, a 19th century church, a scenic coastal green and a period Victorian park. What do all these places have in common? These are the venues for the Festival of World Cultures 2008, of course!
With such a wide and diverse programme of events, it is only fitting that the venues be as varied and unique as the acts and events that take place in them.
Here is the breakdown:
Indoor Venues (Night Time):
Monkstown Church Pavilion Theatre Loft at Purty Kitchen
Outdoor Venues (Day Time):
Newtownsmith Green People's Park Moran's Park Green and many more...
For a full breakdown of venues and contact information please click here++
Pavilion Theatre
Pavilion Theatre opened its doors to the public in 2000, providing Dún Laoghaire with a state of the art theatre space. Situated across the road from the Dart, it is central and convenient for all. For 3 nights, over the Festival weekend the space will be used by the Festival to showcase the night time headline concerts.
How to get there: Directly across from the DART Station, upstairs in the Pavilion Complex
Purty Kitchen
Dating from 1728, Purty Kitchen is steeped in history as one of the oldest pubs in Dublin. Upstairs from the bar is the groovy Loft Night Club, the festival's late night headline venue. Combining a traditional pub feel with a 21st Century touch, it is a firm favourite on the venue list and any event held in Coast at Purty Kitchen is not to be missed.
How to get there: 2 Dunleary Road, halfway between Salthill and Monkstown Dart station (2 min walk) and Dún Laoghaire Dart station(10 min walk)
Monkstown Church
This venue, located in the heart of Monkstown village is a perfect example of 19th Century Church architecture, complete with vaulted ceiling and colourful stained glass. The favourable acoustics of this intimate venue combined with the aesthetically pleasing setting make it the ideal venue for the Festival's opening headline act.
How to get there: Carrickbrennan Road, Monkstown Village. Approximately 20 minute walk from Dún Laoghaireor 3 mins walk from Salthill & Monkstown DART Station.
Newtownsmith Green
Situated between the People's Park and Sandycove with stunning views of the coastline, Newtownsmith Green is home to the Main Outdoor Stage over the Festival weekend. Festival-goers love this green grassy area as it lends itself perfectly as a spot for a festival picnic while getting into the groove of the awesome world music acts on offer. Get there early, as it is sure to fill up!
How to get there: Walk along Queen's Road onto Windsor Terrace and Newtownsmith will be on your left. Approximately 5 minutes from the Dart station
People's Park
A popular retreat for locals from the bustle of Dún Laoghaire town, this beautiful Victorian park maintains its roots with a bandstand, fountains, period wrought iron railings, and even features it's very own tearoom. This garden is located at the intersection of Park Road and Summerhill Road.
How to get there: From the Dart station, walk along Queen's Road and turn right at Park Road. Approximately 5 minutes walk from the DART station
Moran Park Green
Dotted around the town you'll find many open green spaces, Moran Park Green being one of them. Looking for llama hats from Peru or some traditional Polish nibbles? Over the Festival weekend Moran Park Green will transform itself in the Global Village where festival goers can spend an afternoon shopping around the world' in one convenient central location.
How to get there: Walk along Queen's Road for a short distance and it will be on your right. 2 mins walk from Dún Laoghaire DART station.
Harbour Plaza
This central open-air interactive public space, with a smashing view of the sea and located in the very heart of Dún Laoghaire, is the perfect place to enjoy some of the outdoor performances on show over the Festival weekend.
How to get there: You can't miss it, it's located at the sea-side of the intersection of Queen's Road, Crofton Road and Marine Road, next to the Dart station.
Carlisle Pier
Where East meets West - literally! In between the famous Dún Laoghaire piers lies Carlisle Pier, the original pier of Dún Laoghaire. A recent addition to the Festival's open-air venues, this year it plays host to the Festival Cafe.
How to get there: Situated between the National and George's Yacht Club.
Visitor Information / Accommodation / Tourist Offices
Need a bed, want to see what else Dún Laoghaire has to offer or learn more about the history of this seaside town - these links shall provide you with everything you need and more:
www.dlrtourism.com - Accommodation / General Information / History
www.dlrevents.ie - Check out what other events DLR County Council offers
www.dlrcoco.ie/heritage - Heritage of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County
www.dunlaoghaire.com - Accommodation / General Information / History
www.royalmarine.ie - Accommodation
www.kingstonhotel.com - Accommodation
www.tourismireland.com - Accommodation / General Information
www.visitdublin.com - Dublin Visitor Information
Information Kiosks
Over the Festival weekend, to ensure you make the most of your Festival experience there shall be information kiosks placed around Dún Laoghaire. No matter what your question or query is, whether serious or friviolous, we will strive to answer it! Need to know what events are taking place, where can you get that henna tatoo you always wanted or simply where the toilets located? Then make your way to the Festival Information Kiosks and find out the answers to these and more.
Festival information kiosks shall be located at the following places: County Hall / Pavilion Complex / People's Park / Newtownsmith Green Please see map for more details
Merchandising
Bring a little piece of the Festival home with you! A variety of limited edition Festival tshirts will be available to buy from various outlets around Dún Laoghaire over the Festival weekend. They sell out quickly so don't miss out on your chance to get your hands on a genuine festival souvenir.
Site Facilities
Programme of events ready so you can plan your itenerary for the weekend. Public tranport timetable for the Festival weekend. Ok so you are nearly ready to go, now all you need to know are the different facilities on site over the Festival weekend, from toilet locations, to where you can deposit your rubbish responsibily...
Toilet Locations:
Harbour Plaza | Carlisle Pier | Haigh Terrace | Opposite East Pier | People's Park | Newtownsmith Green
Disabled Toilet Locations:
Harbour Plaza | Opposite East Pier | People's Park | Newtownsmith Green
Recycling
Support us in our effort to reduce waste. The Festival works hard to manage the litter issue over the weekend, however we need your help to keep this under control. We ask you to please never leave rubbish behind you; if there is no bin near you please hold on to your rubbish until you see one-recyling bins are provided throughout the site to enable you to be guilt-free and green!
Site Maps
At information booths, site maps will be on display to help you familiarise yourself with locations of all necessary information as well as Day to Day programme information details.
Wheelchair Access
Every effort is made by the Festival to be fully wheelchair accessible. However, there are some restrictions in place that are outside the control of the Festival. Please note that Coast at Purty Kitchen (upstairs) has a restricted entrance. For more information please call: 01- 2843576
Emergency Services
Gardai / Police
Dún Laoghaire Garda Station, Corrig Avenue, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin
T: 01-666 5000 (Emergency T: 999).
www.garda.ie
Hospital
St. Michaels Hospital, Lower Georges St, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin
T: 01-280 6901
www.stmichaels.ie
Hospital
St. Columcille's Hospital, Loughlinstown, Co. Dublin
T: 01-282 5800
Coast Guard
Dún Laoghaire Coastguard
T: 01 -280 4752
Lost Your bearings?
In the event of a person being lost or loosing their bearings, a member of the festival staff should be alerted. Among the 500 festival representatives on site during the festival are stewards, security, and a wide variety of event and production crew who are trained and well equipped to deal with such an occurrence.
Freephone Hotline Number
Inspired by the Tuvan throat singers? Blown-away by Sculpture by the Sea? Disappointed by.....? We want to hear all about it, the good, the bad and the ugly!
Call the Festival on our free phone number: 1800 30 30 92 Your feedback is appreciated and can help improve the running of the Festival.
Please note this is an automated answering machine service.
