In the eastern section of Dublin, there’s lovely running combining Fairview Park with the Clontarf Promenade along Dublin Bay, and St. Anne’s Park. These can be combined for a long run or done in sections.
Fairview Park to Bull Island. Fairview Park is a pleasant green space with paths and sports pitches. Also the location of a weekly parkrun. Run 1 km through the park, and then connect to the Clontarf Promenade, which is a scenic path along Dublin Bay. It’s 2.7 km along the Promenade to the Wooden Bridge which leads to Bull Island. It’s scenic to run the 0.4 km bridge, with the opportunity to continue another 1.3 km along the quiet coastal road (good sidewalk) to the end at Statue of Our Lady, Star Of The Sea. There are great water views.
St. Anne’s Park. Flickr: William Murphy
St. Anne’s Park. From the Wooden Bridge, it’s 0.6 km along Clontarf Rd. (good sidewalk, nice water views!) to St. Anne’s Park. The park is wonderful for running, with its large green spaces, ponds, manicured paths, gardens. & more. One can easily do 5-6 km in the park, including a 1.4 km allée type path that runs from the St. Anne’s Park Gates.
Dublin to Howth. For a long, scenic run, one can continue east to Howth. It’s 4 km along Dublin Rd. to Sutton. The road features a cycle path or sidewalk, and there are nice water views. At Sutton, there’s a train station, which can be used for a 20-minute return on the train to Dublin — a fun one-way is from Dublin to Howth! From Sutton, there’s access to wonderful running on Howth Head, including some scenic but also hilly and challenging running on the coastal bluffs.
In the eastern section of Dublin, there’s lovely running combining Fairview Park with the Clontarf Promenade along Dublin Bay, and St. Anne’s Park. These can be combined for a long run or done in sections.
Fairview Park to Bull Island. Fairview Park is a pleasant green space with paths and sports pitches. Also the location of a weekly parkrun. Run 1 km through the park, and then connect to the Clontarf Promenade, which is a scenic path along Dublin Bay. It’s 2.7 km along the Promenade to the Wooden Bridge which leads to Bull Island. It’s scenic to run the 0.4 km bridge, with the opportunity to continue another 1.3 km along the quiet coastal road (good sidewalk) to the end at Statue of Our Lady, Star Of The Sea. There are great water views.
St. Anne’s Park. Flickr: William Murphy
St. Anne’s Park. From the Wooden Bridge, it’s 0.6 km along Clontarf Rd. (good sidewalk, nice water views!) to St. Anne’s Park. The park is wonderful for running, with its large green spaces, ponds, manicured paths, gardens. & more. One can easily do 5-6 km in the park, including a 1.4 km allée type path that runs from the St. Anne’s Park Gates.
Dublin to Howth. For a long, scenic run, one can continue east to Howth. It’s 4 km along Dublin Rd. to Sutton. The road features a cycle path or sidewalk, and there are nice water views. At Sutton, there’s a train station, which can be used for a 20-minute return on the train to Dublin — a fun one-way is from Dublin to Howth! From Sutton, there’s access to wonderful running on Howth Head, including some scenic but also hilly and challenging running on the coastal bluffs.
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Essentials
Fairview Park to Wooden Bridge is 4.3 km (2.8 miles) one-way; Adding Bull Island is 1.7 km; Wooden Bridge to St. Anne's Park is 1 km.
A 144 km waymarked long-distance trail that follows the towpath of the canal from Ashtown, Dublin to Cloondara, County Longford. Run some sections and return to your starting point by public transport.
At 1,750 acres, Phoenix Park is one of the largest walled parks in Europe. The signature green space to run in Dublin, a wonderful mix of fields, tree-lined paths, and interesting sites.
A tour of the the largest park in central Dublin and one of three Georgian garden squares designed by William Shepard. Longer tour includes Temple Bar, Trinity College by the Book of Kells, several museums, and Bride St.
This is another 'runseeing' tour of Dublin, with an emphasis on the city's famed street art in the Portobello, Liberties, and Smithfield areas. The route was designed by Nick Alexander, who also leads this as a guided tour.
This route runs from Dublin’s Docklands to Phoenix Park. Landmarks include Famine Memorial, Ha’penny Bridge, Parliament, Temple Bar, National Museum, and the Court of Justice.
The Grand Canal path runs for 80 miles from the Grand Canal Basin to Shannon Harbor. You can run anywhere along the canal. We've mapped out a 5.5 mile route from Grand Canal Docklands to the M50.
A peninsula northeast of Dublin that makes for a wonderful trail running destination. There's a hilly, fairly rugged coastal headland path, with spectacular views. The perimeter loop is 2/3 trail, 1/3 road. The coastal run from Dublin to Howth is also a favorite.
A pleasant 200-acre park for running in the Lucan area of western Dublin. North-south paths through a combination of woods & open space. Can make a 5.5 km loop, with add-on possible in Vesey Park. Site of parkrun & nearby running track.
Dodder Valley Park has nice paths along the River Dodder. For a longer loop, combine with Tymon Park. Marlay Park has nice paths around woods & sports pitches. Bushy Park has more paved paths along the Dodder, & adjacent Rathfarnham Castle.
A 120-hectare park in the southwestern outskirts of Dublin, with lovely trails around woods, landscaped gardens, and some small lakes. A loop of the perimeter is 2.6 miles, with another ~1 mile of paths. Site of weekly parkrun.
A wonderful seaside running opportunity not far from Dublin. It's possible to run from Dún Laoghaire to Killiney on a seaside walkway most of the way. Great views and numerous interesting waypoints. Can be windy!
A great opportunity to do a long seaside run. Run along the lovely long beach or continue on the coast road into Pontmarnock with good views of the water.
Several km of lovely waterfront running in coastal town of Skerries, located 30 km north of Dublin & easily reachable by train. Just north of Skerries, gorgeous running on 4-5 km of paths around Ardgillan Castle and Gardens.
A spectacular coastal run/walk near Dublin. It’s a modestly hilly 5.1 miles one-way from Bray to Greystones, nearly all of it right along the water or just above.
National Park 50 km south of Dublin is a great spot for a destination run. Gorgeous glacial valley with buildings dating back to the 10th century features many km of trail running opportunities, from easier to more challenging. Beautiful scenery.
Looking for some fun and friendly competition? Dublin is one of the leading cities for Parkruns. Among the favorites: Griffith Park, St. Anne's, Fairview, Bushy, Sean Moore, Brickfields.
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Essentials
Fairview Park to Wooden Bridge is 4.3 km (2.8 miles) one-way; Adding Bull Island is 1.7 km; Wooden Bridge to St. Anne's Park is 1 km.
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