Is Dublin in the UK, EU, or Northern Ireland? Your Questions Answered (By a Local)

Are you wondering, “Is Dublin in the UK? The EU? Europe?”

Well, you’ve come to the right place.

As an American living in Dublin, Ireland, I get questions like this a lot when I travel back home. While I admittedly didn’t know much about Ireland before moving here, I’m surprised by how many people want to know if Ireland is part of the UK or if we’ve been affected by Brexit.

In this post, I’m setting the record straight and answering all your questions about what country Dublin is in (or isn’t in, for that matter!). Plus, I’ll dive into the aspects of Irish history that caused all this confusion in the first place!

So read on for some local insight on where Dublin really is!

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Table of Contents

Is Dublin in the UK?

No, Dublin is not in the UK (United Kingdom)! Dublin is the capital of the Republic of Ireland, a separate and independent country from the UK. Although the two have close historical, political, and cultural ties, they are different countries.

Is Dublin a County in the UK?

No, Dublin is not a county in the UK. Dublin is both a city and a county, but it is city and county in the Republic of Ireland. The Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom are separate countries with different governing bodies and laws.

A child is seen walking across a lush green lawn towards Dublin Castle, a historic fortress with a prominent round tower and grey stonework. The castle stands under a cloudy sky, surrounded by well-maintained gardens and visitors enjoying the grounds. — Dublin Castle – the British seat of government when Ireland was part of the UK.

Was Dublin Ever Part of the United Kingdom?

I think one reason people have a lot of confusion about what country Dublin is in is because Dublin was once part of the UK.

While Ireland was colonized by Britain for centuries, it was absorbed into the Empire during the Acts of Union in 1800. This formed the United Kingdom of Britain and Ireland and resulted in Dublin being the second city of the British Empire (after London).

This union was dissolved in 1921 through the Anglo-Irish Treaty, and Dublin became part of the fledging Irish Free State.

Why is Dublin Not Part of the UK?

Dublin is not part of the UK because it was included in the land designated for the Irish Free State through the Anglo-Irish Treaty in 1921.

When Was Dublin a Part of the UK?

Dublin was part of the UK from 1800 to 1921. The city became part of the UK through the Acts of Union in 1800 which established the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Dublin left the UK in 1921 through the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty.

When Did Dublin leave the UK?

Dublin and Southern Ireland left the UK in 1921 and became the Irish Free State, which is now the Republic of Ireland.

Which Part of Ireland is Part of the UK?

Northern Ireland, comprised of six counties on the northern quarter of the island, are part of the UK.

Map of Ireland with a red arrow pointing to the location of Dublin. — The red arrow points to Dublin, the capital of the Irish Republic.

Where is Dublin?

Dublin is located on the east coast of Ireland. The city sits at the mouth of the River Liffey looking out across the Irish Sea. The Irish capital is the largest and most important city on the island, and a great city to visit. I live in Dublin, so am admittedly biased, but there’s loads of fun things to do here!

Is Dublin in Northern Ireland or Southern Ireland?

Dublin is the capital of Southern Ireland, also known as the Republic of Ireland. The capital of Northern Ireland is Belfast.

Northern Ireland vs Republic Ireland: What’s the Difference?

The Republic of Ireland is an independent and sovereign nation, while Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom.

The Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921 divided the island, leaving six counties in the north as part of the UK. These counties are collectively referred to as Northern Ireland. The rest of the island became the Republic of Ireland.

Jeanie Johnston Dublin In The Rain — View of the River Liffey in Dublin.

Is Dublin the Capital of Ireland?

Yes, Dublin is the capital of Ireland. More specifically, it is the capital of the Republic of Ireland, but most people just say Ireland.

Is Ireland the Same as Southern Ireland?

Technically, Ireland refers to the island which contains both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. “Southern Ireland” refers to the Republic of Ireland, but this term isn’t typically used. In most instances, when people refer to “Ireland” they mean the Republic of Ireland, whereas they refer by name to Northern Ireland.

What County is Dublin in?

Dublin City is located in Dublin County (makes it easy to remember!). County Dublin has the largest population of anywhere else in Ireland and is home to 1.4 million people (just over a quarter of the country).

Is Dublin the Largest City in Ireland?

Yes, Dublin is the largest city on the island of Ireland, both the Republic and Northern Ireland. Nearly 1.5 million people live in the Dublin area. The city is the epicenter of Irish commerce with a thriving tech industry, booming tourism, and the seat of government.

Map of the United Kingdom and Ireland

If you’re struggling to understand where Ireland is in relation to the UK, this handy map shows the British Isles, including The Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom (England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland).

A simple black line drawing of the British Isles with labels over Scotland, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Wales, and England inside boxes, indicating their geographical locations. — Map of the British Isles highlighting the different countries. As you can see, despite their proximity, Ireland is not part of the UK.

Is Dublin in the UK or Europe?

Dublin is not in the United Kingdom (UK); it is the capital of the Republic of Ireland, a sovereign country located on the island of Ireland. However, both the UK and Ireland are in Europe. Dublin is situated in the eastern part of the European continent. Ireland is one of 44 countries situated on the European continent.

Is Dublin in Great Britain?

No, Dublin is not in Great Britain. Dublin is in Ireland, more specifically the Republic of Ireland. Great Britain refers to the island next door, which includes the countries of Wales, Scotland, and England (three of four countries that make up the United Kingdom).

Is Dublin in Europe?

Yes! Dublin is in Europe. Dublin is in Ireland, which, although an island, is part of the European continent.. While not part of mainland Europe, Ireland (and therefore Dublin) is on the European continental plate and a part of Europe.

Is Dublin in the EU after Brexit?

Yes, Dublin is still in the European Union (EU) even after Brexit. During Brexit, the UK left the European Union. This means that all the countries that make up the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland, are no longer part of the EU. Dublin, which is part of the Republic of Ireland, continues to be an EU city with all the associated benefits and responsibilities of EU membership.

Panoramic view from the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, showcasing a sweeping cityscape under a partly cloudy sky. To the right, visitors are seen through the glass walls of the observation deck, with the iconic metal staircases leading up to the viewing area. — View of Dublin from the Guinness Storehouse.

Is Ireland Part of the EU?

Yes, Ireland is part of the EU. Ireland joined the EU on January 1, 1973, with 83% of the Irish people voting “yes” to joining the European Union.

Is Dublin in the Schengen Zone? Is Ireland in the Schengen Zone?

No, Dublin and Ireland are not in the Schengen Zone.

The Schengen Zone is an area of continental Europe, formed by 27 European countries, that have abolished passport and border control checks along their mutual borders. This allows for free and unrestricted movement of people between these countries.

Is Northern Ireland in the European Union?

No, Northern Ireland is not in the European Union. Northern Ireland left the EU in 2020, as part of Brexit. Since Northern Ireland is part of the UK, it was included in Brexit and is therefore no longer a part of the European Union.

What is the currency in Ireland?

Ireland uses the Euro as its currency. The country officially adopted the Euro in 1999, and it has been the sole legal tender in the country since January 1, 2002. Prior to this, the currency in Ireland was the Irish pound.

A childlike drawing of the British Isles, featuring outlines in black with the United Kingdom highlighted in blue and the Republic of Ireland in green, with corresponding labels below in blue and green boxes. — Map of Ireland (Green) and the UK (Blue).

Is Ireland Part of the UK?

Yes and no. The island of Ireland is divided into two separate entities:

1. The Republic of Ireland, which is an independent sovereign nation.

2. Northern Ireland, which is one of the four constituent countries of the United Kingdom.

So, while Northern Ireland is part of the UK, the rest of the island (the Republic of Ireland) is a separate country with its own government and is not part of the United Kingdom.

Is the UK Part of Ireland?

No, the UK is not part of Ireland. While the UK was once the United Kingdom of Britain and Ireland, meaning Ireland was once part of the UK, the UK was never part of Ireland.

The Ha'penny Bridge arching gracefully over the River Liffey in Dublin, Ireland, on a day with partial cloud cover. The Victorian-era pedestrian bridge is captured in full view, with its white intricate railings and lampposts, connecting the lively streets lined with colorful buildings and commercial establishments. — The Ha’Penny Bridge in Dublin, Ireland.

What is Considered Northern Ireland?

Northern Ireland contains 6 counties in the northern part of the island: Antrim, Down, Armagh, Derry/Londonderry, Tyrone and Fermanagh.

Are Ireland and Northern Ireland the Same Country?

The Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland are on the same island, however they are not the same country.

The partition of Ireland into North and South was decided during the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921. The six northern counties, with their Protestant majority, had stronger ties to the British crown. They were left in the United Kingdom as a concession to the British and to procure independence for the rest of Ireland.

The treaty, as it’s referred to, was greatly controversial amongst the Irish and launched the newly fledged Irish Free State into civil war. Tensions in Northern Ireland amongst Unionists (people loyal to the British Crown) and Republicans (Irish who want to join the Republic of Ireland) led to a decades-long conflict called the Troubles.

While today the region is relatively stable, there are still tensions and occasional violence. The topic of Irish unity is still a hot-button issue and is regularly reported on in local papers and discussed in the Dáil Éireann (Irish Assembly).

What is the Currency in Northern Ireland?

The currency of Northern Ireland is the Pound Sterling. This is the official currency of the United Kingdom, of which Northern Ireland is part of.

Which 6 Counties in Ireland Are Part of the UK?

The six counties in Ireland that are part of the UK are Antrim, Down, Armagh, Derry/Londonderry, Tyrone, and Fermanagh. These six counties make up Northern Ireland, which is one of four nations that the UK is comprised of.

Is Dublin the Capital of Northern Ireland?

No, Dublin is not the capital of Northern Ireland. The capital of Northern Ireland is Belfast. Dublin is the capital of the Republic of Ireland.

The Belfast City Hall stands majestic with its Baroque Revival architecture, featuring a prominent green dome and four corner towers, set against a backdrop of overcast sky. In the foreground, yellow leaves adorn sparse trees and vehicles pass by on the road, indicating a quiet day in the city. — City Hall in Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland.

What is the Capital of Northern Ireland?

The capital of Northern Ireland is Belfast. It takes about two hours to drive from Dublin to Belfast, and I highly recommend visiting Belfast while in Ireland. While not as large as Dublin, it’s the second-largest city on the island and full of interesting history, great food, and a lively music scene.

What County is Belfast in?

Belfast is in county Antrim. This beautiful county contains some of the best that Northern Ireland has to offer, including the stunning Antrim Coast and the Giants Causeway.

Is There a Border Between Dublin and Belfast?

Yes and no. technically, you do cross a border when you drive from Dublin to Belfast. However, there is NO physical border crossing and you hardly know you’ve entered another country.

There is a sign on the M1 that indicates you’re entering Northern Ireland, however, it’s small and often vandalized with paint (and therefore unreadable). The best way to know you’ve crossed the border is because the road signs change from kilometers to miles.

Dublin vs. Belfast: Which City is Better to Visit?

I live in Dublin, so am probably biased, but I think Dublin is the better city to visit.

While both cities have their merits, Dublin is larger with more history and more sights. Dublin is also easier to get to, with a well-serviced international airport and the hub for transit links across the island.

If you have the time, try to visit both and compare. I’ve taken many weekend trips to Belfast and do love it. Both cities have a lot to offer, but they are different.

FAQ: Is Dublin in the UK?

Do you need a passport to go to Dublin from the UK?

This depends on your nationality. Irish and British citizens do not need passports to travel between Ireland and the UK, however, they do need to show a valid form of ID and may need to prove their nationality.

EU nationals can use their national identity card when traveling directly to the Republic of Ireland but need a passport to travel to the UK (except Northern Ireland if traveling there from the Republic of Ireland).

What Country Does Dublin Belong To?

Dublin belongs to the Republic of Ireland, for which it is the country’s capital.

Is Dublin in the UK for postage?

No, Dublin is not in the UK for postage. Since Brexit, packages sent from the UK to Ireland may incur a customs charge.

Is Dublin a country?

No, Dublin is not a country. Dublin is a city and the capital of the Republic of Ireland.

Was Dublin affected by Brexit?

Dublin was indirectly affected by Brexit. While Brexit did not affect Dublin’s status as an EU capital, it did have positive impacts on the Irish economy. As a result of Brexit, many large companies moved their European Headquarters from Britain to Ireland.

Final Thoughts: So Where IS Dublin?

That was a lot to get through, but I hope you’ve learned something about where Dublin is, why it’s not a part of the UK, and where it stands with the European Union.

Dublin is an amazing city and a great place to travel. If you’re thinking of heading to Dublin, check out these posts to get your trip planning started:

10 Best Boat Tours in Dublin (From a Local!)
13 Best Whiskey Tours in Dublin (According to a Local)
30 Best Things to Do in Dublin on a Rainy Day
Dublin in Winter: 45 Fun Things to Do, Travel Tips + Weather (From a Local)
Can You Drink Tap Water In Ireland? Advice From a Local
39 Famous Landmarks in Dublin You Need to Visit
Is Dublin Safe to Visit? Advice From a Local
Is Dublin Worth Visiting? 10 Reasons to Visit Dublin (By a Local)
Dublin in March: 15+ Best Things to Do, Weather + Tips (From a Local)
Drinking Age in Ireland: A Locals Guide to Irish Drinking Laws