South Dublin
Accommodation in South Dublin
At the foot of the Dublin Mountains lies Tallaght, through which the River Dodder flows. Special experiences in South Dublin also include an 8.5-kilometre stretch of the Grand Canal Greenway, art in Tallaght, and places of Irish culture and history. You can plan your trip around the landscapes and activities that interest you most.
Mountains, river and trails
In the Dublin Mountains, you can hike, go for a walk or a run, mountain bike, or take part in orienteering. Wildlife is also part of the landscape: animals found there include squirrels, grouse, kestrels, deer and badgers. If you are considering a longer hike, the Dublin Mountains Way is an approximately 40-kilometre long-distance trail. It runs from Shankill in the east to Tallaght in the west. Its approximate total length and two endpoints provide a guide for planning your trip, without specifying a particular walking time.
For a more peaceful break, Dodder Valley Linear Park offers a quiet retreat. The River Dodder flows through Tallaght; the park also provides a separate way to spend time in green surroundings. Which of these experiences suits your holiday depends on whether you are looking for activity in the mountains, a longer hike or a quiet break.
Along the Grand Canal
The section of the Grand Canal Way in South Dublin is an 8.5-kilometre Greenway between the 3rd Lock at Inchicore and the 12th Lock at Lucan. Access is available from Clondalkin Village via 9th Lock Road and from Red Bridge at Grange Castle. The Greenway includes fishing spots, areas for boating and mooring, and seating. This means there are different ways to enjoy this waterside landscape: you can explore the route as a Greenway, use the fishing spots, or make use of the areas for boats and mooring. You can take the length of the route into account when planning your day.
Art, history and Irish culture
The Pearse Museum tells the story of Patrick Pearse, a leader of the 1916 Easter Rising. He lived there from 1910 to 1916 and ran a pioneering Irish-language school. The museum features an exhibition about his life as well as historic rooms where Pearse, his family and his students lived and worked. The surroundings also shape the site: they include a wild river valley, wooded areas, and impressive entrance gates and buildings dating from the 18th and 19th centuries.
In Tallaght, Rua Red is a large multidisciplinary arts centre and the hub of creative activity in South Dublin. Its arts programme focuses on exhibitions accompanied by gallery talks and tours; admission to the galleries is free to the public. Also in Tallaght, the Civic Theatre is located at the end of Dublin’s red Luas line. In Clondalkin’s old village, Áras Chrónáin Irish Cultural Centre offers Irish language, music, singing, dance and culture in a Georgian house.
Ideas for different age groups
Corkagh Playground offers play facilities for younger children aged two to six and older children aged six to twelve. For a different way to explore local history, Tallaght has a downloadable, guided Village Heritage Walk. Every September, Tallafest includes a local Town & Country Fair. These activities offer very different experiences: play facilities, a guided heritage walk and an annual fair each bring their own focus to your stay.
When choosing a holiday rental, consider which places are most important to your trip. Tallaght is a base for Rua Red and the Civic Theatre; in Clondalkin, you’ll find Áras Chrónáin and access to the Grand Canal Greenway. For a trip focused on nature and longer trails, the Dublin Mountains and the Dublin Mountains Way offer a different focus. Other places in South Dublin: Lucan, Clondalkin, Rathcoole and Saggart.
For the broader travel overview: Leinster.
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