Best walks to do in Dublin

Do you want to know the best walks to do in Dublin city? If you are tired of always doing the same plans, walking through the same streets, seeing the same people… Here comes your solution.

It’s a fact that quarantine has been a fresh start for many people, a pause that has involved reflection. One of the lockdown habits that we should keep is rediscovering the city, going to the same places with different intentions, as we haven’t been there before. Dublin is like a matryoshka doll, every neighbourhood has its own community, its own rhythm. The river Liffey  is the heart of the city, and divides the North from the South.

Is there a class system in Ireland?

Northside

The northside of Dublin is seen as the very different from the southside. But, in fact this is very far from what North Dublin actually is. If we take a look at the way people live in the Irish capital, we realize that there is not a great distinction between the two sides of the river. It is true that the south has always been considered the more affluent area, but that has changed.

In the north of the city we can find O’Connell Street, the busiest street in the city that begins at the O’Connell Bridge. More representative buildings of the area are the Central Post Office and the Spire, which is the Monument to Light; also the Garden of Remembrance is quite famous.

You can visit all these monuments and buildings whenever you need to disconnect your mind and go for a walk, but If you really need to plan a relaxing and breathtaking walk along the Northside of Dublin, this is your perfect route:

• Dollymount and Bull Island

The Republic of Ireland has some of the largest number of rare plants and animals. Most of the wildlife, including mammals, birds, fish, insects, etc. can be found in North Bull Island. The Island is home at various times to around 8,000 wild fowl and 26,000 marine spieces with up to 180 different bird species being recorded. Although it’s important for wildlife, it’s also one of the most recommended landscapes to visit in Dublin. People who visit it can enjoy recreational activities like walking, boating and golfing.

The island is man-made, in 1821 it  was 1 kilometre-long and it is now 5 km in length and 1 km wide, and covers an area nearly 15km2 in size. You can get there from the City Center by Dublin Bus (25 mins), DART (20 mins) or by Dublin bikes (30 mins), which converts it into a little paradise in the middle of the stressed urban life.

Dublin city is divided into 24 different postal districts. Odd numbers equate north and even numbers south, as I referred before, a historical distinction that separated the upper-middle classes from the working ones.

Southside

Talking about the south, we can see how this class distinction is still present since it is in this area where we find the most well-preserved buildings, the most well-kept parks, family housing estates and, also, the most expensive prices. If we go down the river side, we find Dublin 2, one of the busiest neighborhoods, as it is in the center of the city. This area is perfect for a morning stroll through St. Stephen’s Green, whimsical afternoon shopping in Grafton Street (it is one of the most expensive shopping streets in the entire city), or ending the night in any pub in Temple Bar.

If you want to get away from the center to admire the beautiful landscapes of Dublin, you only have to take the Luas and get off at Rathmines, Ranelagh or Rathgar. It seems that you suddenly find yourself in a small town far from civilization: small business, enviable houses and a very homely atmosphere.

• Dun Laoghaire Pier walk

The walk that I recommend in the south is, without a doubt, Dun Laoghaire Pier walk. The shine of the sun reflected in the water and a lighthouse as the only goal point. This walk makes you feel rejuvenated, I suppose it is the sea breeze that makes you float. This port town is only 13km far from Dublin’s city centre, and it’s a popular place for walkers, joggers and pleasure seekers. Most of the time you can also enjoy musical performances, stalls with artisan products or food vans, including the famous “Say Fish”, for fish and chips, and “Teddy’s Ice Cream”, the most popular ice cream stand in Dublin.

A window into the nature

Maybe one day you are working at home and you feel like those four walls are consuming you. We can solve it: put on the most cozy clothes, a beanie and the most comfortable sneakers you have and go to one of Dublin’s lungs: Phoenix Park.

• Phoenix Park

Is the largest enclosed public park in Europe where you can practice sports like running, cycling, yoga… well, you have 11 km of land to enjoy. You can also do other activities such as visiting the Dublin Zoo or historical buildings like the Magazine Fort. But, one of the most incredibly magical things about Phoenix Park is the deer. One day you can go quietly walking along a path and find yourself surrounded by nice deer that will make you feel the freedom of the wild.

Other perfect parks to discover are: Irish National War Memorial Park, St. Anne’s Park, National Botanic Gardens, St. Stephen’s Green or Iveagh Gardens.

These are just a few of the many plans you can make in Dublin, getting away from the gripping routine of living in a busy city. If some weekend you also want to visit the outskirts you can find all the information you need to know to find the best walks outside of Dublin in the following article:

• 8 Walks to Try in Ireland this Autumn – Babylon

Although, as we have seen, it is not necessary to go far to appreciate small things in life..