CAR

Driving is the most popular option, probably because the distance is not that great and cars allow more flexibility. The 27-mile journey takes three-quarters of an hour to O'Connell Street in ideal conditions; at peak times it can be anything up to an hour and three-quarters. In the morning, there is a steady stream of traffic on the N3 as far as Dunshaughlin. Here things can get bogged down, with traffic reduced to snail's pace as it crawls through this bottlekneck. When Navan and Dunshaughlin are bypassed, the journey should be halved. For an alternative route, try going via the N2 through Ashbourne - locals say it's less busy. Traffic congestion on the quays is to be expected. A new car-pooling website at www.dublintraffic.ie could be useful.

BUS

The Navan to Dublin bus service is good, particularly on the return journey. Early birds can catch the 6.45 a.m. from Navan, which gets to Busarus by 8.10 a.m. The 7 a.m. arrives in Dublin at 8.25 a.m. Cutting it fine for a nine o'clock start, the 7.30 a.m. arrives at 9 a.m. Going home, a bus leaves Dublin every 15 minutes from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. The return journey time is an hour and 20 minutes. £21 buys a weekly return ticket.