The Grand Canal Dublin walk - beautiful summer day tips

Summer day tips - what to do on a hot summer afternoon.
I haven't been here for a while, but there we go! Back on-line, full of ideas, lots of pictures taken, so plenty of things to document and to share.
Summer in Dublin is warm again so I decided to give you some of my half a day trips tips.
I have lived in the South side for a long time and I consider  the Grand Canal as a great location. Many people enjoy this area and it is surrounded by great beer gardens where you can refresh yourself. You can either walk or cycle along. Decide yourself where you want to start.  

The Grand Canal, Portobello Dublin

I like to start the walk on Luas station Suir Road. This is the link to my map. It is easily accessible from city centre of Dublin by Luas, or Bus. One of the city bikes stations is nearby the Hilton hotel so that you can even rent a bike and there are plenty of city bike stations on the way. When you start at Suir Road just follow the Canal. There is a nice path leading by full of dog walkers and joggers. The walk is very easy so you can also take children.

Kayaking on the canal

Little newborns

Rent a kayak or feed the ducklings, swans and other birds. When feeding the birds make sure you only give them proper food. The Kayaks are to be rented in Portobello harbor or on Grand Canal dock and they are around €10 per hour. Just check before you go. It's great fun.

Now list of some great beer gardens and fine dining places for refreshment.  Portobello is in the middle of the walk so let's start here.  The Locks brasserie and The Table restaurant  located just on the harbor offer great meal and wine selections. Both restaurants are very close to each other with different menu offers seem to be quite busy. 

Just while crossing the Portobello bridge  you get to Portobello pub, just turn left and walk along the road to 3. The Bernard Shaw pub and sit in great beer garden and have a great pizza in there. Best coffee around during the day. 

The Barge  is a place to stop just down the road. Get back to the canal and continue walking towards the Charlemont bridge. The Barge is great in the summer, the area outside is constantly jammed with people so it has a great ambiance and they serve great pints of the local "black gold" in there. 

The Grand Canal Dock

After a little refreshment continue walking along the canal and enjoy the rest of your walk towards The Grand Canal Dock.  Lower Baggot street leads you towards Ballsbridge, where you can just enjoy the architecture around and continue walking through the heart of Dublin. The Grand Canal Dock is a great location to explore with the great bridges and the other docklands around. Many festivals take place in the Docklands every year. The Board Gais theatre offers great plays and shows. Perfect place for night photographs as well.

Full moon in the Grand Canal 

Beautiful piece of natural art, Dublin Ballsbridge

Aran islands - the Atlantic islands

Aran islands are located in county Clare in the west coast of Ireland.There is so much to do in here that you can stay here at least for a night. You will definitely enjoy!

There are three Atlantic islands called the Aran Islands -Inishere, Inishmoore and Inishmaan. Accommodation is very easy to book - hostels, hotel and lots of bed & breakfast so you don't have to worry about where to stay. You have to take a ferry to Aran islands - there are two points where you can take the ferry from - Doolin a village which is situated underneath the Cliffs of Moher or from Ros a'Mhíl which is situated in the heart of Galway bay. You can also take a plane from Connemara airport, make sure you book your flight in advance because the flights are very busy. Just one more little reminder don't forget to check the weather because the ferries and planes only operate in good weather.

Inishmore island is the biggest of the three. It offers great possibilities for hiking, cycling or just a nice drive.  The hike or cycle is moderate and is about 22 km long but you can just adjust it for yourself. After my arrival to Inishmore island I rented a bike for €10/per day and I cycled all around the island. If you want to see a lot and enjoy the atmosphere the bike trip is the best. To get to Dun Aengus by bike takes about 30 minutes but with all the beauty around it might take you longer. Dun Aengus of Inishmore have uncovered the remains of huts and bones which suggests to the archeologists that the land was already occupied between 500 - 800 BC, several centuries before the fort was build. The fort is situated on the rim of a 200 m high cliff on the island's southern coast. It's simply stunning and definitely worth visiting. On the way back you can visit one more attraction called Dun Duchanthair. There is plenty of  craft shops, pubs, bars or restaurants on Inishmore if you want to stay overnight and make the most of your visit.

Inisheere is a smaller island but as beautiful as Inishmore full of nice spots.You can rent a bike again or just walk round the island. For going around the whole island I recommend a car or a bike, for hiking just choose the highlights - this is a map. I enjoyed the part of thewalk where Lough More is, you also get to see the wreck of Plassy over there. The beach is situated on the way back.Whether you stay overnight or just one day enjoy the Aran Islands and don't forget to check local crafs.

Johnnie Foxe's walk

                   The best pub in Dublin (nearly)

Johnie Foxes pub panorama

This is the best pub around, great food as well....special atmosphere,
you get a chance to meet locals, tourists or immigrants of any nationality which have settled  here in Ireland. The menu is excellent & affordable. The walk is medium & it's worth doing it.



You have several options what way to do the walk. There is a public bus to this place n.44b but it only works during the weekdays.

• Dublin - Wicklow way - Glencullen, public bus back or take the official to town

• Dublin public bus - walk back .....over three rock 

I prefer to walk the Wickow way, because it's much nicer but both walks have something....
The way back..follow the map Way back.
Enjoy the pints!