See Dublin from a different perspective

Dublin Discovered! Boat Trips (01-4730000) offer the visitor an alternative way to explore the Docklands and its historical sights as well as seeing quite a bit more of Dublin ‘differently.’

The tour travels along the River Liffey just as the Vikings did in their longboats over a millennium ago. The informative guides give visitors a good insight into the history of the Docklands and Dublin itself.

The tour leaves from a landing station at Bachelors Walk. Cruises operate daily with a journey time of about 45 minutes.

For real water-babies and those looking for a fun day out Sea Safari (01-6689802) offers a lot. 

It runs a Dublin Bay Port Tour, departing from outside the Convention Centre on North Quay and also from the Poolbeg Yacht Club in Ringsend.

The tour outlines the history from the 17th and 19th centuries up to the present and also of the surrounding docks on the River Liffey and the port area.

To go further afield, the Dublin Bay South Tour leaves from Poolbeg Marina. Tour sights include Lambay Island, Dalkey Island, Ireland’s Eye, Howth and Killiney Bay. School tours and corporate events are a specialty.

Cycling is a fun way to see Dublin city and for keen cyclists Dublin Bikes offers a great bike rental scheme. The Dockland and quays area has many stations for the self-service bike rental scheme (for those 14 years of age and over).

Visitors can enjoy the city at a leisurely pace and return the bike whenever it suits to one of the close to 50 bike stations spread throughout the city.

A three day ticket is available for just €5 and can be purchased from a credit card enabled terminal at a bike station.

This ticket can then be used to rent or return a bike from any Dublin Bike station. An annual card is just €20.

There is a poignant memorial, Famine, on Custom House Quay. The statues, designed and crafted by Dublin sculptor, Rowan Gillespie, commemorate the Great Famine of the mid-19th century.

They were commissioned by Norma Smurfit and presented to the city in 1997.

During the famine approximately one million people died and a million more emigrated from Ireland.

This location is particularly appropriate because one of the first voyages of the Famine period was the vessel, ‘Perserverance’ which sailed from Custom House Quay on St. Patrick’s Day, 1846.

East of the statues lies the World Poverty Stone, a commemorative stone by artist, Stuart McGrath, which marks the United Nations International Day for the Eradication of World Poverty (17th October).

To explore more in the Docklands click here.