Best Running Routes in Dublin

Dublin is a culture-loving, vibrant capital, but in amongst the pubs and cobbled streets you’ll also find plenty of fine places to stretch your legs. The Irish capital is home to runners galore, hardy folk who hammer out their miles both right in the heart of the city and in its rugged, emerald-green surrounds. There are hundreds of possible routes to pick from, but to get you started, here are four of our favourite and closet routes to jog or even to power walk.

River Route

This 3km route takes in much of Dublin city on the river, walking west passing 7 bridges – Sean O’Casey Bridge, Talbot Memorial Bridge, Loopline Bridge, Butt Bridge, the newly built Rosie Hackett Bridge, O’Connell Bridge and the famous Ha’penny Bridge. Crossing back over the Liffey on the Ha’penny Bridge, you are taking in the city from the south quays, heading east back towards the Talbot Memorial Bridge and turn North towards The Address Connolly.

Canal Route

This 5km route brings you south-east from The Address Connolly, crossing the Talbot Memorial Bridge in to Irishtown and Ringsend, taking in Grand Canal Quay, crossing back over the Samuel Beckett Bridge to The Address Connolly.

North Running Route

This 10km route takes you out towards Clontarf, a suburb north of Dublin city located on the sea front.  You will start on the north side of the River Liffey heading east towards Dublin Port and in to East Wall, before turning on to Alfie Byrne Road when the sea will start to come into view.  From there you’re following the designated walking / running path until you have reached 5km, then returning the same route back to The Address Connolly.

South Running Route

This 10km route brings you along the north side of the River Liffey before heading across the Talbot Memorial Bridge. From there you meander the streets of Irishtown before reaching Sandymount Strand, one of Dublin’s busiest walking and running beaches.  Following the promenade as far as it goes, you then reach Merrion Gates, where the DART line crosses the road network. Please be extra careful, follow directions and never cross the train line when the gates are closed.  After crossing Merrion Gates you continue along leafy Merrion Road before reaching Ballsbridge, one of Dublin’s prestigious suburbs and home to many embassies from around the world. From here you will take a turn off and follow the River Dodder coming back out at Ringsend, where you’ll continue along the river before reaching Grand Canal and joining the south side of the River Liffey once again towards The Address Connolly.