Ireland is a good summer destination and Dublin in particular is reputed to be a charming city with very sociable people. If all the landscapes of these islands are fantastic, the plus of Ireland is its people, its sociability and its joy of living even with the difficulties that its history has imposed on it.
The visits in Dublin are true tourist classics, the Guiness Distillery, Temple Bar, the City Hall, but now that it is summer and the weather is good we can go a little further and go on excursions, walks from Dublin. Let us remember that the city is in a bay and around it, on the coastline, there are many picturesque villages which are great destinations for day trips.
Shore excursions from Dublin
Dublin Bay is shaped like the letter C and look at the Irish Sea. It is about ten kilometers wide from north to south and about seven kilometers long towards its center which is the city of Dublin. There are several islands or large sandbanks and a strait and several streams and rivers flow into it that come from afar.
Metropolitan Dublin surrounds the bay from three sides and the Irish Sea covers its east coast. We owe the location of the city to the Vikings who founded it there to have quick and easy access to the River Liffey, which flows there, and which allowed them to ascend Ireland inland.
The villages in question that we can visit today go from north to south and the rest of the coast has no settlements since the terrain is either rocky or muddy. Let's get to know the five villages that we can visit from Dublin:
malahide
The good thing about these villages is that they are mostly accessible by public transport. Of course, the car is always convenient for independence and speed, but do not be afraid if you do not have or cannot rent one. To Malahide reached by bus or DART (commuter light rail). The trip is beautiful because the landscapes are postcards.
Malahaide is on the Broadmeadow Estuary about 16 miles from Dublin and it is a destination for people who fish or sail. It has pre-Viking origins and houses very valuable ancient constructions such as the Malahide Castle from the XNUMXth century with its beautiful gardens open to the public. Behind the fortress are the Talbot Botanical Gardens, another pearl of colors.
But Malahide also offers a wide range of restaurants, bars, cafes and shops so you can have a nice time touring it. Extra data: the castle is open every day from January to December between 9:30 am and 5:30 pm
Howth
As well you arrive on the DART and the trip takes no more than half an hour. It is an old fishing village located on the Howth Peninsula. The passage of time has not taken away its ancient charm and the views from its coast are beautiful because distant islands can be seen.
To walk on the beach It is something that I recommend doing to feel the sea, the birds, the nature. The hike ends on the cliffs, which is even better. As in any Irish village worth its salt there are restaurants and bars so if it comes to eating and drinking you will have no problem. And if there is sun and you want to enjoy the beach more, you can buy fresh lunch at the local market and go to enjoy it in front of the sea.
Dun Laoghaire
To this coastal town you can get there on the DART directly or by bus from Dublin. Either way, there is no more than 40 minutes to travel. In the XNUMXth century it was a victorian spa very popular so the constructions of that time are elegant. What can you do around here?
Walk, eat fish and seafood of the day, go along the boardwalk, kayak, go for a walk by the sea, rent a segway and do the same for the center.
dalkey
Always heading south we reached Dalkey, a centennial fishing village dedicated entirely to fishing. Both local people and visitors jump into the sea in the small boats that leave from its docks.
It is a village with a castle, the Dalkey Castle. Here you can find out about its medieval past as there are guided tours inside and outside and in addition to opening up the past it also recalls the literary tradition of the people that has given Irish letters to various writers, including Samuel Beckett. The views from the castle walls are wonderful: the sea and the mountains in the distance.
In Dalkey you can also explore an old Christian church and its old cemetery and what I would not miss is the interactive experience offered by the Dalke Heritage Centerand then it allows you to know the entire history of the place, the arrival of Christianity, the Vikings, medieval times, the English, the Victorian era and much more to the present. It is available in twelve languages so no problem.
You can also sign up for Guided walks departing from Dalkey Castle Wednesdays and Fridays between June and August at noon. You must book before but they are worth it.
skerries
If the other coastal villages were further south Skerries is north of Dublin Bay. The train trip is just as beautiful and the village itself is a charm but it is not on the route of the others so it will be your decision to make the effort to go the other way to know it or not.
It is a fishing village that still uses the catch of the day for the cuisine of its people and restaurants. There are cafes and tea houses and family restaurants that as well as serving Irish cuisine they also encourage Italian flavors, for example. The atmosphere of the taverns is well of fishermen and considering the alcoholic nature of the Irish it is not surprising that in such a small town there are 12 irish pubs ...
These are the five villages on the coast of Dublin Bay. Each one is charming in its own way and the best of all is that the trips that take you to know them are too. The fact that you can get on the train and arrive directly is a great benefit, but did you know that you can also arrive by sea? That's right, you can have a Dublin Bay cruise and know these and other destinations.
The cruise lasts 75 minutes and allows you to appreciate the huge bay from another perspective. The company is family-owned and has been in business for several decades. The fleet consists of four ships, two ships and two ferries, and in the case of the Dublin Bay Cruise it takes you to Dalkey, Dún Laogaire, Howth, James Joyce Tower, Dublin Docks, Clontarf, Bull Island, the lighthouse of Baily and the Eye Islands, for example.
The cruise option is recommended if you want to kill several birds with one stone. It's up to you.