A trip around Dublin Bay

Just seven minutes on the train from Pearse Station in Dublin city is the village of Sandymount, a hip, yet well-heeled hub. It was a popular seaside spot in the late 19th century and the pretty green you’ll find at its heart dates back to this time.

Today, the green is surrounded by cafés, pubs and little boutiques, but the village still retains its Victorian charm and is famed for its smart, red-brick houses and upscale feel. Pop into Mulligan’s for fine gastropub food, feast your eyes on the deli delights at Brownes of Sandymount, or simply stroll around the quirky shops before heading towards the sea.

Immortalised by James Joyce in his novel Ulysses, the promenade is a few minutes' walk from the village centre. Go at high tide to enjoy it at its most scenic, when the gorgeous green waters lap against the wall. For the sports fans in your group, Sandymount village is near to the Aviva Stadium, home to Ireland’s national rugby and soccer team. During matchday, the atmosphere is electric!

A 23-minute train journey from the city centre and you’re in the vibrant coastal town of Dún Laoghaire (pronounced Dun Leary). Interestingly, the train line you’ve just travelled on was Ireland’s first-ever railway which ran between Dublin and Kingstown, as Dún Laoghaire was known at the time.

The vibrant town centre is a good place to seek out everything from bookshops to interior stores and little delis, but the star of this coastal gem is the 19th century harbour – home to the much-loved East Pier. Take the 2.6km walk here and you’ll have the Irish Sea at your side, with boats bobbing in the harbour and the occasional grey seal popping up to say hello.

Afterwards, treat yourself to a famed Teddy’s Ice Cream near the People’s Park, or warm up with a coffee from Fallon & Byrne. Hungry? You’re in for a few treats in this part of the world. Try some fresh fish dishes at The Fish Shack, go Japanese at Michie Sushi, check out the local favourite of Olivetto’s or head to the beautifully situated Hartley’s, with its elegant interior in what was once the ticket hall for Kingstown Station.

Here on a Sunday? Arts, crafts and plenty of artisan food are on offer at the People’s Park Sunday market where you can picnic, relax and enjoy the sea air. If you have more time to spare, take the scenic route back to the city or over to Howth with Dublin Bay Cruises from the East Pier. 

Just 25 minutes from the city centre are Sandycove and Glasthule. Take a left exiting the railway station and you’ll be heading back to Dún Laoghaire; take a right, and you’re into the village of Glasthule. It might be small, but this is one buzzing little spot when it comes to food and drink. There’s the super-hip coffee nirvana Hatch, the acclaimed Indian restaurant Rasam, the legendary Caviston’s Food Emporium and Restaurant, and the very popular 64 Wine, a local favourite.

Stroll further on to the tiny enclave of Sandycove and you’ll reach Fitzgerald’s, a friendly Irish pub that swells with James Joyce enthusiasts on Bloomsday.

Walk down towards the coast from here and you’ll be greeted with one of County Dublin’s most scenic spots – the small sandy beach and swimming area of the Forty Foot, where locals brave the water all year round. Watch, join in or go all cultural with a visit to the James Joyce Tower and Museum, in which the opening of Ulysses is set. 

If you’re eager to learn more about James Joyce, Sandycove and Glasthule are great places to visit during the Bloomsday Festival, a massive celebration of the author's legendary book, Ulysses. The villages are taken over with people in Edwardian costumes, and there are lots of events in the local cafés and pubs. 

Around 30 minutes from the city centre and you’re in Dalkey, home to Neil Jordan, Enya and U2’s Bono and The Edge. At some point, they’ve all experienced the hospitality of Finnegan’s, the lovely family-run pub just downhill from the Dart station. Views of the sea hit you as you walk towards Coliemore Harbour and up to the Vico Road.

If the weather is good, a trip out to Dalkey Island with Ken the Ferryman is a great idea. Uninhabited now – apart from a flock of wild goats, basking seals and thousands of seabirds – in its time the island has been a holding pen for Viking slaves and a host to St Begnet, the patron saint of Dalkey.

Back in the village, take a tour of Dalkey Castle and Heritage Centre, tuck into tasty steaks at DeVille’s, go for some home-cooked favourites at Country Bake, or grab some picnic supplies at Thyme Out deli. A walk up Killiney and Dalkey Hills will give you a hearty appetite for any of these. This little village has more than one festival throughout the year, but the biggest has to be the Dalkey Book Festival with global guests taking to the stage for talks and workshops.

Catch the Dart from the city centre to Clontarf, then take a bus to Dollymount Strand, and Bull Island (about 50 minutes). Truth be told, Bull Island is a low-lying sandy beach and a UNESCO biosphere reserve, and it’s the waders and wildfowl that people come to see (generally the best time to arrive is around 1-2 hours before high tide).

Another rather unmissable sight is the 21-metre-high statue of Our Lady, which resides at the end of the walkway. If you’re looking for more of an adrenaline kick, just pop down to Dollymount Strand.

Kitesurfers have made this shallow stretch of beach their own. Stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) and kayaking are also big here. For a more leisurely affair, book a tee time at the Royal Golf Club – a challenging golf course that’s been testing players since 1885.

The Battle for the Bay is a must-visit for any watersports fan. It's the annual kitesurfing and SUPing competition on Dollymount Strand. The concept of the festival is simple: wind, water and lots of fun!  

Arriving in Howth courtesy of Dublin Bay Cruises is pretty wonderful, but if you can’t do that, the Dart will get you here in just under half an hour. Perched on the Howth Peninsula, the village and its harbour are the definition of picturesque. Step out near the pier in Howth and you’ll have the pick of some of the finest seafood restaurants in Dublin, from tapas and fine dining to moreish fish and chips at Beshoff’s.

For the panoramic views, though, the Howth Cliff Loop Walk starts from the station and brings you up to the clifftops. Pick a trail length that suits your ability and see the sights, including Baily Lighthouse, Lambay Island, Ireland’s Eye, Howth Castle, the National Transport Museum and the Martello Tower. You'll need to book a tour of Howth Castle well in advance of your visit, but you’re free to wander the gardens, where you’ll find a Stone Age dolmen known as Aideen’s Grave.

If you have more time on your hands and fancy an extra bit of exploration, give shore fishing a try! From the piers, coves or rocky shores, you can hire rods and tackle near the harbour. Or maybe charter a boat from Howth Boats for some offshore fishing.

Pretty as a picture, Malahide is just a half-hour journey by Dart. Here you can and enjoy the sights and sounds of this Dubliners’ day trip treasure. Be drawn in by the Georgian architecture, marina, beach and great little cafés and pubs, and stick around for a night or two to make the most of this welcoming village! Make sure to visit the leafy grounds of Malahide Castle and Demesne, set on 250 acres of parkland and gardens, and then enjoy lunch in the Avoca Café.

The Castle’s backstory is compelling: home to the Talbot family for more than 800 years, legend has it that on the morning of the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, 14 members of the family sat down to breakfast... and by dinner time 13 of them were dead. While you’re in Malahide why not experience a Fish and Trips boat ride to Lambay Island or take on its many walking trails.