Irish TV Scene
The tranny scene in Ireland is small and pretty well limited to Dublin, but emerging nevertheless. Dublin can be a surprisingly tolerant city and in the last couple of years things have improved considerably. It is now quite easy to go to a restaurant, hit a couple of bars and adjourn to a night club without people thinking you've landed from another planet. If you are reasonably discreet, you shouldn't have any problems but you'll still need to keep your wits about you.

Parading around in your finery in the city centre late at night can be an invitation to yobbish cat-calls, or worse, although most people are cool about it. But do be careful if you are going out on your own. Get a taxi to your destination - Dublin taxi drivers have seen everything, remember - or park nearby and avoid a long walk. While a group of trannies is more likely to be "read", there is certainly some safety in numbers and nobody in their right mind is likely to take on six guys in stilettos. Some of the Sí members go out regularly, so if you need some company get in touch.

We have listed below some venues and services that we know to be tranny friendly. We are always on the look-out for more, so let us know if you can add to the list.

Accommodation
There are no exclusively tranny hotels in Dublin. You should however be welcomed in the gay guesthouses listed below. Be aware that you should book well in advance as all tend to be busy throughout the year.

Frankie's
8 Camden Place, Dublin 2. Tel (01) 478 3087. Situated on a quiet street off Camden Street, on the edge of the city centre, this a long established guesthouse.

Inn on the Liffey
Upper Ormond Quay, Dublin 7. Tel (01) 677 0828. A small guesthouse which, as the name suggests, is in the centre of Dublin by the river Liffey.

Horse and Carriage
15 Aungier Street, Dublin 2. Tel (01) 478 3537, Fax (01) 478 4010. Opened in 1993, this 'Guest Hotel' is convenient to The George.

Bars

The George
89 Sth. Gt. George's St., Dublin 2, near Dame Street junction.
The longest established gay bar in Dublin and, on Thursday nights, Dublin's premier tranny place-to-be. Most trannies congregate in the club upstairs (Carwash, 70's night, entrance from the lane around the corner). Good music and good craic. Admission is free before 10 p.m. Open from 9pm 'til about 2am. If you think Irish pubs are quiet relaxing spots, think again. Highly recommended.

Out on the Liffey
Upper Ormond Quay (across the river from the Civic Offices)
Open till 00.30 on Weds to Saturday, 23.30 other nights. Increasingly popular gay pub owned by the same people as the Inn on the Liffey guest house. It's decorated in neo-trad style with plenty of seats and is a lot cosier than The George. Features regular drag acts on Friday and Saturday nights, but can be a good spot to visit any night of the week.

Coming soon:
Information on restaurants and clubs, which we are currently (Feb 2006) researching.