Dublin highlights: the city’s best rooftop views and adventures
This World Photography Day (19 August) hit the heights to find the best photo opportunities and views of Dublin.
Croke Park Skyline Tour, Co Dublin
There is something magical about viewing a city from above. Away from the bustle of busy streets and clamouring traffic, there is a chance not only to see historic landmarks from a new angle but also to glimpse the essence of the city’s character. In Dublin, there are many opportunities to get a bird’s eye view of the city; usually these come with unique insights into Dublin’s story and occasionally there is the added chance of adrenaline-charged adventure!
At Croke Park, Ireland’s national sports stadium, you can see much more than exciting Gaelic games. Its thrilling Skyline Tour takes you up 44 metres to the stadium’s roof where an open-air walkway delivers panoramic views over the city from the mountains to the sea. The entertaining tour guides point out key locations in the city and recount their history adding some fun anecdotes along the way. Multi-lingual audio guides are available at the five viewing platforms. At the end of the tour there’s the exhilarating chance to step out on to the platform that’s suspended over the Croke Park pitch itself. The tour ticket also includes access to the GAA Museum, which vividly illustrates the story of Gaelic games from ancient times to the present day, as well as to the interactive games zone. Visitors to Dublin in winter can take a Skyline Dusk Tour and be dazzled by the city lights and regaled by stories of Dublin after dark.
If climbing 259 steps up a spiral staircase is a challenge you’re willing to accept, you will be rewarded with fabulous 360o views over the rooftops of Dublin. The location is the historic Skyview Tower, which was built in 1895 and originally used as a chimney by neighbouring Jameson Bow Street Distillery. On a clear day you can see as far as the Wicklow Mountains and Dublin Bay but closer to hand you can pick out iconic buildings like Trinity College and St Patrick’s Cathedral and see the fascinating interplay between old Dublin rooftops and modern city architecture. Thrill seekers might be interested to know that from time to time there is the opportunity to abseil down the tower. Whatever way you make the descent, a welcome dram of one of Ireland’s most beloved whiskeys is on hand in Jameson Distillery.
Guinness Storehouse, Co Dublin
The Gravity Bar at the top of Guinness Storehouse is Dublin’s classic “pint with a view” spot. The bar, enveloped in glass and steel and featuring artwork by Dublin street artist Aches, is where you are served a complimentary pint of the black stuff as a fitting end to the tour of the award-winning brewery experience. Aim for a sunset pint and relax as you watch the sun sink over the city.
Rooftop view over Dublin City
Sticking with pints with a view, there is a lesser-known place to enjoy great views of Dublin’s skyline, and it’s one that is steeped in history and mischief. The Blue Light pub sits in the foothills of the Dublin Mountains in the village of Barnacullia – a name derived from the Irish for ‘top of the woods’. From here, you can drink in the views over the city while imbibing your favourite tipple and listening to live music or the banter of locals. The pub is famously where locals in the 1700s hatched a plot to evade the high taxes on imported spirits by signalling to smugglers in the bay to indicate when it was safe to offload their ‘tax-free’ cargo. The sign was lighting the blue ship’s lantern at the front of the pub, which still shines today to welcome visitors.