The Dublin Community Blog

Just a few useful phrases to bear in mind when you’re visiting Dublin. There are probably hundreds I’m forgetting so feel free to add more in the comments.

Greetings

Howaya – Dublin for ‘how are you’?

Ah Jaysis Howaya! – same as the above, but more exuberant, for when you’re REALLY pleased to see someone.

Story? – Dublin for ‘what’s the story’ another greeting, when you’re just too lazy for howaya.

Take it handy – has many meanings, usually used as a goodbye, when you’re waving someone off, to mean ‘take it easy’ or ‘mind yourself’ but can also be used when giving directions to warn someone to watch their speed while driving, as in ‘take it handy on the road near the church, it’s very narrow’.

Swear words/curses

Jaysis – Dublin for ‘Jesus’ used in numerous different ways, both positive and negative. For example ‘Jaysis it’s great to see you’ or ‘Jaysis my wife got knocked down by a bus last night’ or ‘Jaysis, this dress is a terrible price’.

Feck – the Irish for f*ck, used in everyday speech, for example ‘for feck’s sake’.
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THERE are three main ways to get around Dublin city using public transport – Dublin Bus, Luas and Dart – and while it’s been pointed out by comments in my previous post (thanks Sally) that public transport in Dublin isn’t the best, it’s still really the only way to see a bit of the town while you’re here. I can’t control the timetables, whether your bus will break down, or the general nastiness of hurtling down a street at 60km/h trapped in an overheated tin can with strangers, but I CAN give you some tips that might make your journey easier. Well, I’ll give it a bash, anyway!

Dublin Bus

Dublin Bus is the main bus operator for the city and buses are generally double decker and blue and yellow in colour. Bus stops are the same colour and most have a little sign on them telling you what buses stop there. They don’t unfortunately tell you what direction the bus is going in, so you could stand for ages at a stop only to discover when the bus trundles along eventually that it’s going to Finglas and not, as you thought, the city centre. So beware of this.

You hail a bus at a bus stop by sticking your hand out. If you don’t stick your hand out, there’s a chance the bus will pass you by and you’ll end up looking like a right looking eejit. Avoid this, people WILL stare and point! Generally the buses stop only at the designated stops, so running up to traffic lights begging for the driver to open the door won’t really cut it. Some of them will let you on, others won’t and you risk getting squished as the bus squeals away from the lights.
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