Rathmines

Rathmines is an inner suburb on Dublin's Southside. It begins on the southern side of the Grand Canal and stretches along Rathmines Road towards Rathgar in the south, with Ranelagh to the east and Harold's Cross to the west. It is in the D06 postal district and within Dublin City Council's area.

From the 1930s the area was known across Ireland as "Flatland": large Georgian and Victorian houses were divided into flats and bedsits for junior civil servants and students arriving from outside Dublin. Many of these houses have since been converted back into single-family homes, but renting remains a big part of local life.

Rathmines is a commercial and social hub, with shops, cafés, pubs and restaurants along Rathmines Road. Its history as "Flatland" means rented flats sit side by side with family homes that have been restored to single occupancy.

• The former Rathmines Town Hall now houses Rathmines College of Further Education.
• The area has several schools, including St Mary's College and St Louis High School (secondary) and primary schools including Kildare Place National School (Church of Ireland) and St Louis Primary School.

• Luas Green Line: the Ranelagh stop is the most convenient for Rathmines' main street, and Charlemont, Beechwood and Cowper are also within walking distance. The Green Line runs through the city centre to Broombridge in the north and to Brides Glen in the south.
• Buses: several Dublin Bus routes run through Rathmines to the city centre. Check the TFI Journey Planner for current routes, as the bus network has been redesigned under BusConnects.
• The city centre is within walking or cycling distance across the Grand Canal.

Much of the housing is large Georgian and Victorian houses, many still divided into flats, while others have been converted back into single-family homes. Renting is common. Check that a tenancy is registered with the RTB and ask for the rent setting notice, which must show three comparable rents.

There are several primary and secondary schools in Rathmines itself, with different patrons (see Family life in Ireland). The Grand Canal runs along the northern edge of the area.