Activity & Adventure Days Dublin

Climbing / Kayaking / Paragliding

ITINERARY OUTLINE:

9:00       Arrive in Dalkey for breakfast in Country Bake, the friendly family run local bakery which has been in business for 25 years and pick up your picnic while you’re there.

10:00    Bring your hiking gear and enjoy the morning rock climbing on Dalkey Quarry.

Beginners Rock Climbing courses are run over a 2 day weekend in Dalkey (non residential). All equipment rental: hardware, ropes, harnesses and helmets are provided. You may, however, like to bring along your own rock climbing shoes if you have them but they are not essential.

– Visit www.adventure.ie for details on next available date & courses

/or/

Kayaking courses are also available and will take you around the waters of Dalkey Island. You will have some fun on the water, learn new skills and discover the wonderful marine environment around Dalkey.

– Visit www.kayaking.ie for details on next available date/courses.

/or/

Paragliding – Visit www.freefly.ie

13:00    Head back to Dalkey for a well-deserved bite to eat after your morning adventure. Food to suit all tastes and pockets is available and you never know who you might meet!

14:00    A visit to Dalkey Castle & Heritage Centre is not to be missed.  Be amused and entertained at the live theatre performance as part of every Living History Tour. Learn about Dalkey’s fascinating history featured in the interactive displays (available in twelve languages).

 

15:00    Have a wander around the town and pick up mementos in one of the family owned shops or Tramyard craft stalls.

 

 

(B) Walking

Self Guided walk

ITINERARY OUTLINE:

10:15    Start your day with a visit to Dalkey Castle & Heritage Centre. Enjoy the contrast between 15^th century Living History with the actors in period costume and the interactives of 21^st century technology (available in six languages).Travel back in time and be enthralled by the extraordinary work of the Archer, the Cook and the travelling Barber-Surgeon. Afterwards you can climb to the battlements for panoramic views of sea and mountains. Enjoy the peace and tranquility of the 10^th century Church and Graveyard. Follow the interactive time line from early Christian through Viking, Medieval, Victorian and modern times in Dalkey. Explore the area’s literary and creative connections in the Writers’ Gallery.

11:30    Have a coffee in one of the many cafés in the town.

12:00    Walk down Coliemore Road taking in the harbour and Sorrento Park where you will find a memorial mosaic to Elizabethan composer John Dowland, the Bono of his day,  “whose heavenly touch upon the lute doth ravish human sense”. Take in the views of Dalkey Island and the Muglins from the top of the park.

12:30    Continue onto the Vico Road and up the ‘Cat’s Ladder’ to Killiney Hill-a concertina of steps climbing the hillside. The less adventurous can take a gentler route by way of the hill road. On Killiney Hill you will find the Obelisk and stunning views of Dublin Bay and the Wicklow Mountains.

13:00    Walk through Killiney Hill Park where native red squirrels have recently  been re-introduced to their natural habitat and the trees provide a splendid canopy all year round. The park has several trails with views in all directions over Dublin and provides opportunities for every category of photographer.

14:00    Head back down towards Dalkey following the path once traversed by the wagons carrying the granite used to construct Dún Laoghaire harbour.  Enjoy lunch in one of the variety of restaurants, cafés or bars to suit all tastes and pockets.

Guided Walk

ITINERARY OUTLINE:

10:00    DART to Dalkey

10:15    Start your day with a visit to Dalkey Castle & Heritage Centre. Enjoy the contrast between 15^th century Living History with the actors in period costume and the interactives of 21^st century technology (available in six languages).Travel back in time and be enthralled by the extraordinary work of the Archer, the Cook and the travelling Barber-Surgeon. Afterwards you can climb to the battlements for panoramic views of sea and mountains. Enjoy the peace and tranquility of the 10^th century Church and Graveyard. Follow the interactive time line from early Christian through Viking, Medieval, Victorian and modern times in Dalkey. Explore the area’s literary and creative connections in the Writers’ Gallery.

11:30    Enjoy a coffee and a treat in one of the many cafés in the town.

12:00    Meet your guide at Dalkey Castle & Heritage Centre and enjoy a Guided Historical / Literary Walk of Dalkey, taking in the historic and scenic magic of the area.

14:00    Head back down towards Dalkey and savour lunch in one of the variety of restaurants, cafes or bars to suit all pockets and tastes.

(Guided Historical and Literary walks are available all year round and can be booked through Dalkey Castle & Heritage Centre. Explore the area in the company of a local guide and learn about Dalkey’s historical and literary gems and some nuggets of local information not available in any guide book!)