Yes there are beautiful streets to walk down, brilliant shops and top-class restaurants, but Dublin has a wild side, too. Its docklands and river are the perfect setting for waterborne thrills and, just out of town, the parks, mountains and coastline have plenty to test your nerve and lift your spirits
Start the day with a caffeine kick. One of Dublin’s favourite places for a truly excellent coffee is this place, run by the appropriately named Buzz Fendall, baldie, barista and ‘espresso consultant’. Its success has seen a second branch open on Aungier Street, but the original is still going strong at Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre.
Unit B5a
St Stephen’s Green East
Dublin 2
If you’ve got a head for heights, make the most of this chance to conquer one of Ireland’s most famous landmarks in a rooftop walk over Croke Park Stadium. Climbing to the equivalent of 17 storeys above ground level, the walk includes five viewing platforms so you can make the most of the sights – if you can bear to keep your eyes open!
Etihad Skyline Tour departs from:
GAA Museum
Croke Park
St Joseph’s Avenue
Dublin 3
Dublin gives you urban sophistication, plus all the natural beauty of the coast and countryside. Go kayaking at nearby Dalkey and see if you can spot seals on the shore, or paddle along the Liffey at Lucan. There are sessions for all, even beginners. In the middle of Dublin, at Grand Canal Dock, Surfdock also offers watersports (from early spring to mid-winter).
Kayaking Ireland
Bullock Harbour
Dalkey
Co Dublin
Want to escape the city? Zipit out of Dublin and take to the trees for high wire thrills and 650m of ziplines in the pine forest of Tibradden Wood. With circuits that cross rope bridges and have you flying through the air. The tall, straight Tibradden pine trees actually heighten the sense of distance from the ground to create a truly exhilarating experience. Once you’re back on solid ground, take on the Tibradden Mountain Trail – choose the challenging 2.4km trek and you’ll be rewarded with views of Dublin Bay and Howth.
Zipit Forest Adventures
Tibradden Wood
Dublin 16
At the end of the day, when you’re freshly showered and ready to enjoy the night-time, don’t give up on the spirit of adventure. Book a table at this ultra-chic sky-high spot for a cocktail before dinner. You can sit out on the terrace if the weather’s good, but the glass-walled bar provides you with the best views even when it isn’t.
The Marker Hotel
Grand Canal Square
Dublin 2
