10 Places to Enjoy the Great Outdoors in Dublin

At the time of writing, we’re enjoying some extremely good weather in Dublin. We mean, extremely good weather. People are enjoying lunches outside, everybody’s heading to the beach at the weekend and most of us have a smile on our face as we’re not used to this sort of weather.

If you’re lucky enough to visit us when there are blue skies over the Irish capital, here are 10 ways to experience the great outdoors in this city we call home:

• 1 - Howth’s Cliff Walk

  

  Located 30 minutes from Dublin city centre by DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) is the seaside village of Howth. Famed for its seafood restaurants and resident seals, it’s also home to a stunning cliff walk. The trek (there’s a route you can follow) takes about two hours to complete and boasts breath-taking views throughout.

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  2 - South Dublin’s Vico Road

  Located between the south Dublin villages of Dalkey and Killiney is a road called Vico Road. Home to some of the Irish capital’s most spectacular homes, it also boasts some stunning scenery. If you want to get your group out and about with a spectacular backdrop, look no further.

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  3 - The City Centre’s St. Stephen’s Green

  

  Dublin’s most famous city centre park is a breath of fresh air in the middle of the capital. Boasting bandstands, lakes, beautiful lawns and a plethora of birds, no visit to Dublin would be complete without even a stroll through it.

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  4 - Dublin’s Other, Quieter Greens – Iveagh Gardens, Merrion Square, Dublin Castle

  

  As much as we love St Stephen’s Green, it can be a bit manic during the summer months. It’s at times like these that we like to visit the quieter greens – the Iveagh Gardens on Harcourt Street, Merrion Square which is just five minutes walk from Grafton Street or the gardens in Dublin Castle. Take note of these if you’re looking to give your group a more tranquil few hours in the city.

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  5 - The Grand Canal

  

  The Irish capital’s Dublin Viking Duck Tour is an extremely fun but equally educational way to find out more about Dublin. Over the tour’s 75 minutes you’ll learn all about the city’s history and culture while making your way into the water too.

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  6 - Temple Bar / Grafton Street

  

  There’s always something going on in either of these parts of the city centre. Whether it’s live music, street performers or just plain people watching, both of these hubs offer endless hours of outdoor (and free) entertainment.

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  7 - Botanic Gardens

  

  Located on the north side of the city in the suburb of Glasnevin, Dublin’s Botanic Gardens are an oasis of calm and beauty with free admission. While walking around you can smell and see plants from all over the world in many shapes and colours.

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  8 - Glasnevin Cemetery

  

  Located just north of Phibsborough, in the suburb of Glasnevin, lies one of Irelands oldest cemeteries. Renovations took under 10 years to complete and just in time for the 1916 centenary celebrations. It’s now back to its pristine glory of the early 1900s.

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  9 - The Beach!

  

  Dublin mightn’t strike you as a beach city, but there are several strips of paradise within a short drive of O’Connell Bridge. Killiney Beach, Silver Strand and Bettystown are all a short journey away from Dublin. No excuses now to not get some sand between your toes.

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  10 - Dublin Bay

  

  From north to south, Dublin Bay features beaches at Sutton Strand, Dollymount Strand on North Bull Island, Sandymount, Seapoint and south of Dun Laoghaire. All along this coastline you’re blessed with some spectacular views. The better the weather, the better the views.