Getting Here
Venue
Our conference venue is Saint Patrick's College, Maynooth (NUI Maynooth South Campus). Accommodation and presentation venues will all be located on the South Campus. Breakfasts and lunches included with your conference registration are served in Pugin Hall on the South Campus (number 14 on the map).
Maps
South campus: http://www.nuim.ie/location/maps/south.shtml (pdf available)
Interactive map: http://www.nuim.ie/location/webmaps/index.shtml
Given that Ireland is part of the EU, many from outside the EU will need visas to attend the conference. Please check here to see if you require a visa. Nationals of the following countries may apply for their visa online. The Irish government suggests applications should be made two months before your date of departure.
If you are applying for a conference visa, then please read this.
Visa info is spread over two websites, but is very complete. Browse the Irish Immigration Service site and the Dept of Foreign Affairs site.
If you require a letter of support for your application, please email MASN Ireland, with 'Visa Support Letter' in the subject line. Include your name, date of birth, nationality, place of birth, passport number, place & date of issue, expiry date, and who will be covering your trip costs.
GETTING TO IRELAND
SeaThere are frequent ferry crossings to Ireland from the UK and France. Check out the Direct Ferries site for fare comparisons and routes. Boats can take between 2.5hrs (Holyhead) and 7hrs (Birkenhead - nr Liverpool).
Dublin has two ports: Dublin Port and Dun Laoghaire. The edge of Dublin port is about a ten minute walk from the centre of town along the river; but the passenger terminal is about a 40 minute walk. There is a bus to/from the bus terminal in town - although these only tend to run in parallel to the saiings. Dun Laoghaire is somewhat easier to get to/from, as it has a train line (Dart) running into town, and usually a platform change at Tara Street, is sufficient to connect to Maynooth trains. So this might be another factor in choosing your ferry company.
PlaneThe nearest airport to Maynooth is Dublin Airport; the major carriers are Aer Lingus and Ryanair. There are frequent flights from the UK, US, Europe and other international destinations.
GETTING TO/FROM DUBLIN AIRPORT
Public transportTake Bus 16 or Bus 41 to Drumcondra Rail station (departure every 20-30 minutes), which takes 25 minutes, and then train to Maynooth, which takes 35 minutes. The bus fare is €1.80 and you must give the exact amount on the bus. You can buy a more expensive ticket at the counter inside the airport. The train fare is €2.70.
Alternatively and slightly slower, buses 747 (every ten minutes during the day) and 748 (every half an hour) go between the airport and Dublin city centre, take 50 minutes, and cost €6 single or €10 return fare. From the city centre take a train to Maynooth (42 minutes) or bus (70 minutes).
TrainTrains run from three central Dublin stations (Pearse Station, Tara St. and Connolly Station) to Maynooth, at least every half hour, take 42 minutes, and cost €3.30 single or €6 return. Longford and Sligo trains also stop at Maynooth. Visit the Irish Rail website for timetables, fares and online booking (intercity journeys only).
BusNUI Maynooth is served by bus 66 and 67a. These buses run frequently (every half hour or so) from Pearse St. in Dublin city centre to Maynooth, take 70 and 80 minutes respectively, and cost €2.10 single. There are also 66x and 67x express services to and from Maynooth, which take only 60minutes, but these only run at commuter hours.
TaxiA taxi from the airport to Maynooth should cost around €50-55, and take from 25 minutes to an hour (at rush hour).. It might be cheaper to ring a Maynooth cab to meet you.
Express Cabs (+353 1) 628 9866
Maynooth Cabs (+353 1) 628 9999
MCL Cabs (+353 1) 628 6539
Disabled access cabs and minibuses are available for airport runs from Bus Cill Dara.
CarInformation for those driving is available here.
Disabled accessInformation on access for those with disabilities is available here.
Local informationFor more information on the history of the area visit here.
MASN Ireland wish to acknowledge the goodwill shown by NomadIT (www.nomadit.co.uk), who sourced and compiled all this information and shared it with us.