Culture, sports and more.

Whether you want to learn about heritage, do an activity or even combine both, Dún Laoghaire has much to offer.

Opened in late 2014, DLR LexIcon, Dún Laoghaire’s new library, cultural and community space, is ultramodern inside and out. 

The building is 29 metres above street level and has three main floors as well as stunning views from the large windows.

There are thousands of books of all genres available for lending and reference on the oak shelves as well as open study spaces, reading and meeting rooms, a municipal art gallery, a large new junior library and numerous internet portals. 

The top floor is dedicated to local history, with many resources to help with research. There are regular events for all ages from storytelling to art exhibitions.

More information on events is available on libraries.dlrcoco.ie/events-and-news/eventcalendar.

Housed in the historic former Mariners’ Church on Haigh Terrace, the National Maritime Museum of Ireland (01-2800969) is a fascinating voyage through time and all things nautical. The museum’s collection covers all facets of maritime heritage.

The building, built in 1837, offers a great selection of artefacts and exhibits illustrating various aspects of a seafaring nation. 

The Pavilion Theatre (01-2312929) on Marine Road is Dún Laoghaire’s municipal theatre and it runs a varied and extensive programme including live music, theatre, comedy and a range of children’s programmes in its spacious modern auditorium.

Booking ahead is advised.

Dublin Bay Cruises (01- 9011757) operates cruises between Dún Laoghaire, Dublin Port and Howth Harbours with a large range of excursions.

It offers passengers ‘a unique opportunity to see Dublin from a different perspective as they take in the panoramic views and discover the wonderful wildlife reserves that string the bay from north to south of Dublin’s coastline.’

Get active with a huge choice of fun stuff to get involved in. Aboveboard Water Sports Centre (01-2804774) on the West Pier offers kite surfing, wake boarding and stand up paddle boarding lessons and excursions. 

CP Adventure Dun Laoghaire (087-9803201) has a wide range of activities/tours on land and sea, from kayaking to rock climbing to Segway tours and bike rental.

To see under the sea, Oceandivers (01-2801083) is a PADI Diving school based here. 

For a family-friendly activity, Dun Laoghaire Cycling Tours  (086-8758744) provides guided cycling tours from Dún Laoghaire to Killiney and back, with plenty of scenery and history to drink in along the way. This is:

‘A fantastic way to explore a slice of Ireland’s east coast while staying active and enjoying the outdoors!'

To enjoy a spot of swimming, the closest beaches to Dún Laoghaire are Seapoint, Sandycove and Killiney. The famous Forty Foot  is nearby too.

These are just a selection of activity providers operating in the area and dlrtourism.ie lists many more.

To explore more in Dun Laoghaire click here.