The Dublin Park & Nature Reserve Walk
The Most Off The Beaten Track Tour in Dublin!
Everyone goes to the Guinness Storehouse but only a few come to the old Guinness family estate that today is Dublin's best park. Their loss!
This tour brings you through a real Dublin village and the fabulous St Anne's Park, then onto Dollymount beach that is a nature reserve with views over all of Dublin, from the Howth cliffs to the Wicklow mountains.
You'll see authentic Dublin community life. If you're here on a Saturday, this is your tour with the farmers market but it's good any day.
What You'll See
Raheny Village
We'll meet at Raheny train station. This is a regular village although it has 300 year old church ruins, not totally uncommon in Ireland! Tourists never come here. These are the places I hunt for when I travel, where locals live.
St Anne's Park
The grandson of Guinness's founder bought this land in 1835 for their family home which today is Dublin's most beautiful park. It would take hours to walk through all of its 250 acres, so we'll focus on its nicest areas.
The Dark Hedges of Dublin
All the tourists race to Northern Ireland to see the Dark Hedges from Game of Thrones. Here in St Anne's Park, we have our own version.
Rose Garden
During summer, 25,000 roses bloom. Take your coffee, silence your phone, and sit awhile on a bench here.
The Hidden River
This is my favourite part of the whole park. As you walk along it, you could be in rural Ireland, not our capital city. You just hear birds and the calming trickle of water.
Saturday's Farmers Market
Come hungry, order your food and sit on the grass with Dubliners.
Gaelic Games
At weekends, you'll see Hurling and Football being played. These sports are only played in Ireland. I'll explain the rules and tell you how important these games are.
Bull Island & Dublin Bay
Leaving the park, you see all of Dublin Bay right in front of you. Dublin is the only capital city in the world in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Walk the wooden bridge to Bull Island with fantastic views over all of Dublin and see Dubliners swimming in the cold sea.
Saturday Morning With Dubliners
9:30am: Take train to Raheny
10am: Tour starts
12:00pm: Tour ends near the beach. You could have lunch on the pier after.
1:00pm: Take bus back to city
Tour Details
- Duration: 2 hours
- Distance: 5km along paths and beach
- Cost: €125 for up to 4 people, €25/additional person
- Start: Raheny Dart Station
- End: Dollymount Bus Stop
- Best Day: Saturday for farmers market and community atmosphere
- Difficulty: Easy
What Makes This Different
This isn't about dramatic cliffs or famous sights. It's about seeing how Dubliners actually live. You'll be joining locals at their weekend farmers market, watching their sports, walking where they walk their dogs.
It's Dublin life unfolding naturally around you and you very rarely see tourists here.
Perfect for families, culture lovers, and anyone wanting authentic Dublin experiences over Instagram shots.
Price €125 for up to 4 people. €25/additional person.
Questions? Email hello@irelandbylocals.com
My Dublin Walking Tours. Local. Different. Better.
Darragh
