COVID-19 advice: Please follow current government advice and check opening times before travel. Tour schedules have been adversely affected by the pandemic.
LET’S WALK AND TALK
‘Let’s Walk & Talk’ is a community initiative of Dublin City Council putting on weekly walks in various parts of the city, as well as themed historical walking tours and other special events.
The themed historical tours are led by acclaimed historian, Pat Liddy who makes history come alive as you explore hidden parts of the city.
The weekly walking groups are led by a dedicated team of volunteers from the community. Ten weekly walks currently take place in the city including ones conducted in French, Spanish and Irish. These walks are a great way to stay healthy, meet people and learn a little something about Dublin. All tours and weekly walks last about 90 minutes, are free and no advance booking necessary. Walks do not take place during times of ice/snow/dangerous weather conditions. See full details at www.dublincity.ie (this website link was been inactive during the pandemic).
If you wish to be added to the email mailing list or if you require further details, please contact Dublin City Council on (01) 2222148 (between 9-5pm), via email at letswalkandtalk@dublincity.ie or at the following address: Community & Social Development Section, Dublin City Council, Block 3, Floor 1, Civic Offices, Wood Quay, Dublin 8.
WEEKLY WALKING GROUPS SCHEDULE – 2022
Saturdays at 2.00 pm from the Dropping Well Pub Car Park, Milltown Road, Dublin 6 – A walk along the River Dodder and environs
Mondays at 11.00 am from outside the Halfway House Pub, Ashtown, Navan Road, Dublin 7 – Walks along the Royal Canal, in the Phoenix Park and many other places
Tuesdays at 2.00 pm from outside The Barge Pub, Charlemont Street, Dublin 2 – Walks along the Grand Canal and within Dublin 2/4/6 areas
Wednesdays at 2.00 pm from outside the Raheny DART station – A walk to Dollymount Strand through St. Anne’s Park and beyond.
Wednesdays at 2.00 pm from the Plaza opposite the entrance to Kilmainham Gaol, Inchicore Road, Kilmainham, Dublin 8 – A walk along the Grand Canal or around this historic area
Wednesdays at 2.00 pm from the Monument to William Conyngham, Kildare Place, Kildare Street, Dublin 2 – A stroll through the city whilst talking in Spanish
Thursdays at 2.00 pm from Sandymount Green, Sandymount Village, Dublin 4 – A walk along Sandymount Strand or to the neighbouring suburbs
Fridays at 11.00 am from Meeting House Square, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 – A walk in the city whilst talking in Irish
Fridays at 2.00 pm from the Monument to William Conyngham, Kildare Place, Kildare Street, Dublin 2 – A walk in the city whilst talking in French.
Special walks – Keep an eye out on the Let’s Walk and Talk website over the summer for special one-off walks. August is the most popular month for these. Here is a sample of the topics usually on offer.
A Walk on the Wild Side along the Dodder (Eanna Ní Lamhna explores river wildlife including duck, heron, kingfisher, otter and mink); the Donnybrook Walking Trail (local historian, John Holohan, visits many of the stops on this trail); Cabra – Early Suburb, ancient Town lands; the Terenure Walking Trail (with Pat Liddy); Fr. Collins Park (a bio-diversity walk through Ireland’s first wholly sustainable park); Nostalgic O’Connell Street (Pat Liddy brings you on a journey of old cinemas, ice cream parlours, restaurants and ballrooms); the Botanic Gardens (with Eanna Ní Lamhna); and Halloween – Ireland’s export of the undead (a special walk with Pat Liddy celebrating Bram Stoker and other gothic writers).
The Community Development Team of the South East Area Office is developing a series of walking trails of many villages in their area. The Ranelagh Walking Trail Map & Guide was produced in partnership with the Ranelagh Arts Festival and was launched by the Lord Mayor, Oisín Quinn, during the September 2013 festival. The Ranelagh Walking Trail Map & Guide is available in tourist offices, libraries and local shops in the Ranelagh area. You could formerly download it from the Dublin City Council website but it is no longer available from this source.
The Donnybrook Walking Trail Map & Guide was produced by Dublin City Council in partnership with the Ballsbridge, Donnybrook and Sandymount Historical Society. Donnybrook has a wealth of history and association with sport, literature, culture and the arts. Famous residents of Donnybrook include statesmen Michael Collins, Éamon de Valera and Garret Fitzgerald, explorer Ernest Shackleton, artist Cecil Ffrench Salkeld and writers Anthony Trollope, Benedict Kiely and Pamela Lyndon Travers, author of Mary Poppins. The Donnybrook Walking Trail Map & Guide is available in tourist offices, libraries and local shops in the Donnybrook area. You can also download a copy of it HERE.
Walking trail maps and guides were formerly available on the Dublin City Council website for Ballsbridge, Harold’s Cross, Rathgar and Sandymount but these interesting guides are no longer available from this source.
www.dublincity.ie (click here for comprehensive “let’s walk and talk” details) – this website link was been inactive during the pandemic.
FREE GUIDED WALKS IN THE PHOENIX PARK
Free guided walks in the Phoenix Park take place on Wednesday mornings (February to October) at 11.00 am. Each walk takes about 90 minutes. Please wear suitable footwear and clothing. Phone the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre (01-6770095) or Farmleigh House (01-8155914) for further information. These walks are subject to availability; it is wise to phone the visitors centre in advance to confirm.
FREE TOURS OF WAR MEMORIAL GARDENS, ISLANDBRIDGE
Free guided tours take place every Wednesday only at 11.00 am from April 6 to Sept 28. No booking is necessary. The meeting point is inside the gates of the car park. Subject to change and weather permitting. For more information please contact the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre at phoenixparkvisitorcentre@opw.ie or on 01-6770095.
FREE TOURS OF GRANGEGORMAN MILITARY CEMETERY
There are tours of Grangegorman Military Cemetery on Blackhorse Avenue (Dublin 7) from April 7 to September 29 on Thursdays at 11.00 am. Walkers assemble inside the Cemetery Gates. Admission is free and all are welcome. Please wear suitable shoes and clothing. For further information, phone 01-6770095.
OTHER SPECIALIST WALKING TOURS
Tasting, culinary, and food/fashion tours – www.fabfoodtrails.ie
Ghost walks and haunted history tours – http://www.hiddendublintours.com
City highlights, literary Dublin, historic Dublin tour – www.sightwalkingdublin.com