Rome has its ruins, London has in its head spinning vibrancy and Paris has its palaces and museums but Dublin’s coastline and gentle hills make it the envy of many European capitals when it comes to being able to get away from it all at the drop of a hat.
Whether it’s a beachy pootle, a hilly hike or a whiff of decongesting fresh air you’re after, Dublin has it on its doorstep.
Here are just a few we thinnk you might like.
The South Wall
It may not look like much on the way to it and be sure to keep your car windows up while you speed past the stench from the waste treatment plant. But just beyond the pigeon house is surely the city’s number one walk: The South Wall.
Built in the 18 th century over a period for roughly 80 years its function was to alleviate problems with sandbars and swells for ships arriving into Dublin port. Today you can watch the boats cruise safely past you on their way towards the Liffey as you walk out into the middle of Dublin Bay.
It’s a 45-50 minute jaunt up to the red lighthouse and back.
The summer heather on Howth head is just lovely and on your right the Dublin mountains unfurl themselves down towards the sails twinkling off Dun Laoghaire. Some people go swimming here but you need to make sure you are a strong swimmer and please don’t go swimming alone.
The Piers
Many think the East pier is a fashion show. It’s understandable. The recently updated and well-finished walkways allow the Southside’s yummy-scrummy-mummys and faddy-daddys to push their prams while yabbering on their mobiles in some comfort here.
As you approach the lighthouse you’ll hear the comforting twangs of the resident banjo playing busker. For the more battle hardened walker who prefers solitude we recommend the West Pier. Longer, unweeded and badly kept there is a rugged charm and poetic loneliness about this gravelled promenade. Keep an eye out for the resident seals off the small fishing pier.
Dollymount Strand
Back in the age of innoncence people used to learn how to drive here. Today it’s more than likely you’ll kitesurfers plying their trade on this wonderfully flat, expansive wind-swept beach. Getting to it is a bit of an adventure that the kids will love as you have to slowly cross a wooden bridge and it’s a great surprise to drive through the tunnel-like grassy sandbanks and suddenly see
the rippling waves in front of you. Park on the beach which stretches out for five kilometres.
There are wonderful views over to Howth and back towards the aforementioned South Wall with the Dublin Mountains and Wicklow’s sugar loaves very much in evidence.
Howth head
On windy days you’d need to be careful on parts of this walk. Not for the faint hearted but the views above the cliffs are spectacular. You can spot seals, porpoise, and maybe even Larry Mullen (the drummer with U2) on one of his many Harleys. Lambay Island and Ireland’s eye can be seen from several points until you make your way round to the Baily lighthouse from where views across the bay to the Southside present the weary
footslogger with the full beauty of our city’s coastline. Be sure to wear a good pair of walking shoes, it’s a good two to three hour jaunt.
The Three Rock Mountain
It’s no Everest or Mont Blanc. But the short climb up to the top of the Three Rock Mountain near Sandyford can be taxing enough if you’re not used to it. It’s well worth it though as the views over Dublin and into Wicklow are fabulous. On a clear day you can see over to Wales (the country not the large fish).
With forests on either side of the pathway and the summit’s three rocks to climb on there is plenty
here for little ones to enjoy too.
About Us
City Language School is right in the heart of Dublin City Centre. Dublin is the proud and vibrant capital of Ireland and with its cosmopolitan and modern feel, it has repeatedly been voted Europe’s friendliest city by Trip Advisor. Dublin boasts strong links with literature, music, dance and storytelling. As you walk through the streets of Temple Bar, you can absorb the musical tradition which spills onto the streets from the many bars and restaurants; truly a city of enormous beauty! Dublin is surrounded by breath-taking natural scenery that will leave you with lifelong memories. It is perfectly located on the eastern coastline of Ireland and is a convenient gateway to the rest of Europe.
We are conveniently located in the heart of Dublin on Dame Street, giving you easy access to the whole city of Dublin as well as bus and tram lines for you to get around.