The 1.3 km-long East Pier in Dún Laoghaire is a popular place for a walk. The pier is home to a memorial to Captain Boyd and a weather station. At its end stands the Battery Lighthouse, where visitors can buy refreshments and enjoy views across the bay. These landmarks provide clear stopping points along the walk, from the memorial to the lighthouse.
Harbour, History and Routes
The harbour in Dún Laoghaire is one of the oldest man-made harbours in the world. In the 19th century, it was built as a refuge harbour for ships seeking shelter in Dublin Bay in rough weather. The railway connection also tells part of the area’s history: it opened between Dún Laoghaire and Dublin in 1834 and was Ireland’s first railway.
The location of the stations and the waterfront promenade are useful reference points for finding your way around. The DART station and the central bus station are close to the promenade. The National Maritime Museum is just a few minutes’ walk from the DART station. Dún Laoghaire also has dedicated cycle lanes and a cycle route along the waterfront promenade. It connects the town with the coastal settlements of Monkstown, Blackrock, Glasthule and Sandycove, as well as Dublin city centre. For a specific journey, it is worth checking the current timetables.
Maritime Collections and Culture
The National Maritime Museum of Ireland is housed in the 180-year-old Mariners’ Church. It displays objects, images, paintings and documents relating to Irish maritime history from its beginnings to the present day. Visitors can also try out an electrified steam engine there. In this way, the museum combines maritime history with a hands-on exhibit.
The Pavilion Theatre offers a programme of theatre, comedy, literature, opera, dance, workshops, festivals and local art. As individual performances are date-dependent, check the schedule for a specific visit. At dlr LexIcon, you will find art exhibitions, displays on local history and other cultural exhibitions. The Oratory is a work of the Celtic Revival and houses a statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. A French town donated the statue in memory of the men from Dún Laoghaire who fought and died in the First World War.
Dún Laoghaire Anseo adds to these cultural attractions as an urban art trail: its 28 artworks were commissioned by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and extend from the harbour through the town. The combination of artworks and urban routes offers a different way to experience the area than a visit to a museum or theatre.
People’s Park and Dún Laoghaire Baths
People’s Park has been in existence for more than 130 years. Its features include ornate fountains, bandstands, shelters, tea rooms, a playground, and well-maintained flowerbeds and lawns. Dún Laoghaire Baths have been restored; they were intended for use as a public swimming and water sports facility.
Discover more destinations: Stillorgan, Sandyford, Blackrock, Dalkey.
Back to the main travel overview: Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown.
