It’s been or is set to be, a long (long) week, and you need to get something fun in the diary stat. We’re not talking about your usual ‘sun’s out, meet at the pub’ situation, though; no, this weekend calls for something a little different, and we’ve got exactly what you’re looking for.
Now that you’re a Rathfarnham local, it’s time to live as the locals do and explore a different, alternative side to the area. The question now is, are you ready to get involved?
We’re starting today’s Rathfarnham tour on a classy, historical note because who doesn’t want to live their best Bridgerton-style life?
Dating back to the Elizabethan period and built for Archbishop Adam Loftus (the once-Lord Chancellor of Ireland) in the late eighteenth century, the house was remodelled by some of the architectural crème de la crème of the day.
Today, the castle is filled with portraits, archaeological artifacts, tours, talks and a cafe to refuel after all that learning to be done. Check out their website to plan your visit and for more information.
Credit: https://www.facebook.com/rathfarnhamcastle
- Get outdoors on the Dublin Mountains View Walk
Just 20 minutes from your front door, you can take in the sights of the Dublin mountains on the gorgeous Dublin Mountains View Walk in Knocklyon Park.
For those of you a little less confident about a full-on mountain hike, this is the perfect starter, as you can amble at a pace that suits you, all while taking in the views of the Dublin mountains, the Hellfire Club, the gorgeous wildflowers, general nature, and the surplus of almost-guaranteed adorable dogs out on their weekend walks (hopefully attached to an owner).
We suggest really making a few hours of it and bringing some snacks with you to have a little picnic- after all, when you’re out, you’re out, right?
Credit: https://www.instagram.com/saveknocklyonpark/
- Up your Insta story game at Bushy Park
If heading out to Wicklow, or down West, is too far afield for a weekend adventure, then hot-foot it down the road to Bushy Park to take in all the sights, including the under-appreciated (in our oh-so-humble opinion) waterfall.
Nothing screams smug millennial (and that’s coming from us, the smuggest of them all) quite like a fresh weekend filled with long walks, coffees in the sun and nature-filled stories to put your hungover friends to shame.
Whether you’re out for a park run or a gentle stroll, need a few hours of fresh air with your book, or want to grab food from popup vans, including Mei Mei (see drool-worthy photo), Bushy Park has abundant weekend opportunities!
Credit: https://www.instagram.com/meimei_dublin/
There aren’t a lot of things we can say for sure in life, but one thing is up there, and that’s that the food scene in Rathfarnham is on the up.
A local (and our personal) favourite and somewhere you HAVE to stop for a peek and a bite is The Window Box. Placed perfectly on 21 Main Street, these guys are serious about food and coffee, with a cheeky ‘Local Food Hero’ nomination in the 2023 Irish Restaurant awards, no less!
Specials change frequently, and The Window Box crew are passionate about seriously delicious sambos, strong coffees, fresh, local ingredients, and service with a neighbourly smile. Some hanger-curing highlights include their freshly battered, flaky fish finger sandwich, the Rubeun and, of course, the LEGENDARY crimbo sambo of dreams. Meet you on main street, yeah?
Credit: https://www.instagram.com/the.window.box/
So, now that you’re all up to date with Rathfarnham’s weekend itinerary, where’s first on your hotspot list this weekend?