With restrictions finally starting to ease, we are being encouraged to make the most of the great outdoors this summer to minimise our risk. Luckily for us, Dublin is a great place for open-air spaces and there are so many excellent things to do here that don’t involve making a booking or cost a fortune. Here are some of the best things to do outdoors in Dublin this summer.
Mountain Walks
One of the most impressive things about Dublin is our proximity to both the mountains and the coast. You are spoiled for choice with mountain and hill walks with something to suit all ages and abilities. Nestled in the hills just beyond Sandyford in south Dublin, Ticknock is a trail in the Dublin Mountains that will make you feel lost in the wilderness. You can enjoy a 10k walk along a trail of forest and mountains, ending with incredible views over the city from the top of Three Rock Mountain. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the Dublin Mountains Way, 40km of waymarked trails starting in Tallaght, ending in Shankill. The route passes forests mountains, valleys, reservoirs and will give you stunning views of Dublin city to the north and the Wicklow Mountains on the South.
Enjoy Dublin Bay
Dublin is famous for Guinness, shopping and good craic but Dublin Bay is worth travelling for alone. For some of the most stunning views of the Dublin coastline, visit Howth and enjoy a moderately difficult cliff walk –rewarding yourself with some famous Irish fish & chips once you return to the village. You’ll keep it close to the city when you enjoy the Great South Wall Walk, starting in Ringsend, passing the iconic red and white striped Pigeon House Chimneys, along the coast and out to a famous Dublin landmark –Poolbeg Lighthouse. If you want to venture further North, enjoy a leisurely stroll along the other side of Dublin bay, taking in the sights and ending up in Bull Wall, one of Dublin’s best beaches
Outdoor Dining in Dublin
Outdoor dining is set to make a huge comeback this year with food courts, outdoor markets and new City Centre dining space popping up everywhere. It’s great to see Dublin restaurant making the most of the footpaths, parking spaces and in some cases the road outside their shopfronts, many of which have been rezoned by the council to make outdoor dining a part of Dublin’s foodie scene.
Make time to visit some of the city parks food markets which take place each weekend in Merrion Row, St Annes Park and Herbert Park, all recently reopened. Check local Facebook pages for pop up food trucks around the city and new coffee shops taking advantage of the new dining outdoors culture.
Outdoor Activities in Dublin
Dublin’s great outdoors is a great place for adventure lovers. This summer, take your mountain bike up to the Dublin Mountains, exploring trails and paths at lightning speed or enjoy an afternoon of stand-up paddle boarding right on the River Liffey. Try your hand at wakeboarding in Grand Canal Dock or test your strength while rock-climbing in Dalkey Quarry. The possibilities are endless. Contact a company like Adventure Dublin if you want to explore your adventurous side in the safest way possible. It’s a great way to catch up with friends or as a team-building experience after a year of remote working.
Sea Swimming
Sea Swimming in Dublin One of the most popular outdoor activities of the past year has been sea swimming, challenging the bravest of us to dip into the freezing Irish Sea for a refreshing, invigorating swim. The Forty Foot in Dun Laoighaire is by far the most popular swimming spot in Dublin but you’ll find smaller groups of bathers in Salthill, Killiney, Portmarnock, Skerries and Malahide. You’ll find swimmers out all day on warm days from dawn to dusk, breathing in the sea air and warming up with coffee from a nearby coffee shop afterward.
Dublin City Parks
Dublin is home to the Phoenix Park, the largest walled park in Europe which houses Dublin Zoo, 1,752 acres of rolling green fields and woodland, Farmleigh House, herds of majestic wild deer and Irelands mini White House, Aras an Uachtarain –home to the Irish President. Closer to town you’ll find the gorgeous St. Stephens Green Park, with playgrounds, an ornamental lake and beautiful sculptures dotted around the well-tended green space. Across the road you’ll find a hidden gem of Dublin, Iveagh Gardens. Not only does it have one of the most impressive rose gardens in the city, it has a waterfall, fountains and a hedge maze–ideal for lunch al fresco. Grab yourself a take away pint and explore the parks of Dublin while the weather is warm.
At Premier Business Centres, we are optimistic about the coming year and are looking forward to sharing stories across socially distant coffees with our clients across Dublin and Kildare soon.
