Dun Laoghaire (port)

About Dun Laoghaire Port

Dun Laoghaire (pronounced “Dun Leary”) is a Victorian-era harbour town 13 km south of Dublin city centre, with a 1 km long East Pier and a similarly long West Pier enclosing one of Ireland’s largest artificial harbours. The harbour was built between 1817 and 1842 as a refuge for shipping in Dublin Bay and developed into the main mailboat and ferry port for Britain, with the Holyhead route running from here for over 150 years.

The Stena Line fast ferry to Holyhead was suspended in 2015 and the Irish Sea route consolidated to Dublin Port. Dun Laoghaire now operates primarily as a cruise call port for medium-sized vessels and a leisure harbour, with sailing clubs, the National Maritime Museum of Ireland and an active waterfront. The wider town has around 26,000 residents and is one of Dublin’s most popular day-trip destinations from the city centre.

Getting from Dun Laoghaire to Dublin

A pre-booked road transfer to central Dublin takes 20 to 35 minutes via the N31 and Rock Road. The DART suburban rail line runs from Dun Laoghaire to Dublin Connolly in around 25 minutes with departures every 10 to 20 minutes, useful for travellers without heavy luggage.

For passengers arriving on a cruise call who want to head straight to Dublin Airport for a same-day onward flight, a private transfer is the most efficient option, with a 30 to 45 minute run via the M50 and the Port Tunnel that bypasses the city centre.

Port and pickup points

For cruise calls, ships either berth at Carlisle Pier inside the harbour or anchor offshore with passengers brought to East Pier by tender. The pre-booked transfer driver confirms the relevant pickup area based on the berth assignment for your ship. At both piers, the meeting point is the designated coach and car pickup area near the pier exit.

For other arrivals, including private yachts and visiting vessels, the meeting point is the main harbour office on the eastern side of the marina, with the driver holding a name sign and helping with luggage to the vehicle.

Common transfer routes from Dun Laoghaire

• Dun Laoghaire to Dublin city centre: 13 km, 20 to 35 minutes
• Dun Laoghaire to Dublin Airport (DUB): 22 km, 30 to 45 minutes
• Dun Laoghaire to Dublin Docklands: 14 km, 25 to 35 minutes
• Dun Laoghaire to Bray: 12 km, 20 to 30 minutes
• Dun Laoghaire to Glendalough (Wicklow): 40 km, 50 to 65 minutes
• Dun Laoghaire to Newgrange (Brú na Bóinne): 65 km, 65 to 85 minutes

Booking your Dun Laoghaire transfer

A pre-booked transfer from Dun Laoghaire gives a fixed price to Dublin, the airport or further afield, a licensed local operator and a meet-and-greet driver with a name sign at the agreed pier. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup keeps the booking flexible, and payment runs through Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Alipay, iDEAL, Wero or PayPal.