10 relaxing things to do in Dun Laoghaire this summer:

While studying English at the DLTC English language school this summer, here are some things to do in your free time - see the google map below or at here for locations:

1) Dun laoghaire festival 23, 24, 25 July. Over 200,000 people come to Dun Laoghaire in one weekend for music, food, art and crafts from all over the world. Most of the entertainment is free and happens at various locations around the town and along the seafront. Verdict: fantastic!

2) Dun laoghaire Market in the Park. Every Sunday summer and winter, the market in the Peoples Park Dun Laoghaire runs from about 10am to 5pm and offers very tasty food (mostly organic, healthy and local); great coffee; and various bits of art, crafts, plants. Verdict: very relaxing place for an hour or two on Sunday.

3) DLR Events - throughout the year, the local council organizes entertainment and art events such as the Movies in the Park (free movies in the Peoples Park Dun Laoghaire in June). For all these events see dlrevents

4) The Dalkey Seals: at Bulloch harbour between Sandycove and Dalkey visit the wild seals that live there. Only a 20 minute walk from Dun Laoghaire main street, visiting Bulloch Harbour is like time-travelling to a typical fishing village of 200 years ago on the west coast of Ireland - you certainly could never imagine this is in a modern city. The seals are fed by the local fishermen so they are there every day, though maybe not all day. If it’s the season you can buy fresh crab and lobster from the fishermen there.

5) Small boat fishing: Also in Bulloch Harbour, if you are there in July or August, why not hire a boat and rod and go fishing for Mackerel. Boat and equipment can be hired for about 20-30euro per hour which is not too expensive when shared with 3/4 people. Even if you don't fish, its a great way to see the coast around Sandycove and Dalkey.

6) Walk Killiney Hill. Take the DART to Killiney. Come out of Killiney Station, turn right along the seafront road; follow the road as it goes up a steep hill (it goes past the house of Bono from U2 at the top); continue on straight until you have a wonderful view of Killiney Bay and Dalkey Island; on the left hand side there is a small path that will take you up Killiney Hill; or you can continue along the road that will eventually bring you to Dalkey village; have a beer to relax and then take the DART home! .... or go on any of the Tuesday afternoon guided walks organised by the DLTC language school for full-time students (Bray-Greystones along the cliffs; Howth Head, etc)

7) Have a beer outside Finnegans pub in Dalkey or Ivory if you prefer more modern.

8) Boat trip to dalkey island. Not always available but forless than 10euro, you will be taken by small boat from Colliemore Harbour to dalkey island. There, you can explore the beauty, the views and the ruins for an hour or two before the return.

9) Swim in the sea at the Forty Foot in Sandycove. This is a huge traditional swimming place for the whole of Dublin. People from everywhere go swimming here all year round and at Christmas there are festivities and hot drinks as the swimmers brave icy water. If you prefer warm water, there is the public swimming pool in Monkstown.

10) Dalkey Castle. Costs about 5euro but you get the history of Dalkey since the vikings (told by actors dressed up from the period) and you get to go up on top of the tower to see all across Dalkey to Dun Laoghaire.

11) Walk the East pier followed a 99 ice cream from Teddy's. A 99 is the white ice cream on a cone with the piece of chocolate 'flake' stuck into it.

Pubs, music, food, entertainment etc: Privee disco at the 40ft bar Friday and Saturday nights; Pavilion Theatre for various shows; Walters bar for drink, food and live music (late bar at weekends). Kingston Hotel for drink, food, music and great outdoor area overlooking the sea on a sunny day!;

Other things: PADI dive centre, sailing school; rock climbing in Dalkey; all-weather 6-a-side football pitches (Monkstown Pool); public Tennis Courts (Clarinda Park Dun Laoghaire); 12 screen cinema (besides Tesco Bloomfield Shopping Centre Dun Laoghaire).


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