Dublin - Prepare

Tuck a copy of James Joyce's Ulysses under your arm for cachet, or take it easy with a Roddy Doyle novel. Comfortable walking shoes – and an umbrella – are essential.

Kick off the year with January's Temple Bar TradFest, get ready for all things green at the mega St Patrick's Festival in March, and hear Handel's Messiah on the anniversary of its worldwide premiere here in April. Join lesbians celebrating Gay Pride in June, and thespians at the Dublin Theatre Festival in September. Back a Boxing Day winner at the Leopardstown Christmas Racing Festival.

New Year's Day (1 Jan), St Patrick's Festival (17 Mar), Good Friday (Mar/Apr), Easter Monday (Mar/Apr), May Bank Holiday (first Mon in May), June Bank Holiday (first Mon in June), August Bank Holiday (First Mon in Aug), Halloween (Last Mon in Oct), Christmas Day (25 Dec), Boxing Day (26 Dec).

Rain falls whatever the month in Dublin – be glad as it makes the place green. The climate is, however, mild year round. July and August are the warmest (15°C-20°C) months when most festivals take place. It gets decidedly cooler from December to February (5°C-8°C) – the perfect time to huddle up with a Guinness in a cosy pub – but it rarely dips below freezing.

230V AC, 50 Hz, three-pin plugs are standard.

+353 (national), (0) 1 + 7-figure number (Dublin).

Euro (€) is the currency.

Precisely (+1 in summer).

Visit Dublin website

Anything goes in laid-back Dublin. Save your best party clothes for a swanky bar or to get into the best clubs, although nobody but the bouncer would bat an eyelid if you turned up in jeans. Dubliners prove that city folk can be friendly – it's likely that someone next to you propping up the bar will ask how you're doing, so get chatting.