Dun Laoghaire, where the sunsets, seagulls and walks are so pretty. Once a small fishing village, it’s now a major coastal town buzzing with locals, sea searchers, art students thanks to IADT, and those just craving a few hours beside the sea and away from the bustle of town.
Now that you’re a local inhabitant yourself, it’s time to dive into all that Dun Laoghaire has to offer. Let’s go!
We suggest starting your Dun Laoghaire adventures with a bit of history and culture, thanks to the National Maritime Museum. Head to Dun Laoghaire’s 180-year-old Mariner’s Church, and inside, you’ll find a homage to all things nautical for the sailing enthusiasts or merely curious amongst you.
The most impressive artefact is probably the building itself, and it’s one of a few intact custom-built places of worship for seafarers in the world today.
Inside you’ll find revolving history exhibitions, a library of important maritime records, workshops, activities, and lots more to hop aboard.
Tickets start from €8 and can be booked online- happy sailing!
Credit: https://www.instagram.com/maritimemuseumofireland/
If that sea air has given you a serious appetite, head to Japanese-inspired Soup Ramen for a delicious, nutritious pick-me-up.
Casual food that packs big, bold flavours and balances sweetness and umami in a way that Japanese cooking does best, Soup Ramen serve up steaming hot bowls of delicious broths that are cooked down for hours and hours, all to ensure the most fantastic of flavours.
We recommend the 72-hour Pork broth Ramen with Shoyu seasoning, a side of kimchi, and for something less traditional, their spin on a spicebag- delicious, believe us!
Credit: https://www.instagram.com/yo.eatgirl/
What could say seaside more than crisp, fluffy on the inside chips and beautifully battered fish with a sharp tartar sauce, especially when the fish was caught just mere hours prior?
When the restaurant’s tagline is caught, cooked, served, you know you’re likely in for a fresh, deliciously seasoned catch!
Fish Shack Dun Laoghaire is one of three Dublin spots, and this one is up there as a true gem. Sitting right on the pier, there’s nowhere better to enjoy fresh seafood than overlooking the water, if you ask us! With seasonal specials, a twist on favourites like fish tacos, and classics alike to choose from, you’re always in for a fresh find.
Check out their website for opening hours and to preview the menu.
Credit: https://www.instagram.com/kemicraves/
If you’re searching for one spot that has it all, then search for the Lighthouse, and you won’t be disappointed.
Food. Drinks. Music, Sports events. Drag brunch. Quizzes. Bingo. Bottomless Brunch. Parties. Cocktails….Need we go on?!
With a fun, laidback vibe and an everyone-is-welcome attitude, the lighthouse is a fab spot to pull up a seat, round up the neighbours, and get acquainted with all things Dun Laoghaire!
Credit: https://www.instagram.com/thelighthousedublin/
What’s cooler than being cool? Outkast penned it best when they said ‘ice cold’.
When temperatures rise, the pier fills up, and the sun beams for more than 25 minutes straight; there’s one place and one place only where you need to make an appearance, and that’s Scrumdiddly’s Ice Cream Shop.
Not only do they serve a whopping 150,000 litres of Ice Cream every year (seriously), but they make their chocolate sauces from a very secret recipe (we asked); you’ll also find crepes, milkshakes, and scrummy specials like the Bueno® Waffle Cone.
Scrums aren’t reserved for the rugby pitch only; get down there and get your cone on!
Credit: https://www.instagram.com/scrumdiddlysworld/
- Grab a coffee and take a peer up the pier
We appreciate that there’s been quite an adventure around Dun Laoghaire so far, what with the history, the culture, the eating and the drinking, so why not end the day with a stroll and some caffeine?
Start at TWOBEANS Speciality Coffee Bar for the best cup of coffee around. These guys take coffee very seriously, working with some of Europe’s best coffee roasters; all coffee used is fair trade, and to take it even further, all the milk they use is Irish-produced. Grab yourself a cup of just-perfect joe, then hit the road and do the East Dun Laoghaire pier walk. At roughly 2.7km total, it’s just long enough to get your steps up, and walk off some of that delicious food from earlier- perfect!
Credit: https://www.instagram.com/airphotosireland/
- Take a good ol’ dip in the Irish sea
Not so much a hidden gem, granted, but one that absolutely needs to be on your Dun Laoghaire to-do list!
Start your day off with a calm dip, cool off when the weather (eventually) heats up, and float your worries away in the cold, refreshing waters of the Irish Sea.
Some of the best local spots to hit up include the Forty Foot, The Vico or Seapoint- take your pick, dive in, and please remember sea safety and never put yourself or anyone else at risk!
Credit: https://www.instagram.com/the_stone_fox/
There you have it, seven must-add-to-the-list activities and hotspots to check out in Dun Laoghaire; where will you go first?