Top Attractions & Activities in Rathgar Dublin Ireland 2023
Rathgar is a quiet, sought-after suburb in the south of Dublin. It’s a great place to stay in the capital if you want to feel like a local. Its wide streets and nice hotels show that the city is doing well economically, but they also show that it has a long history of south-of-the-river wealth and quiet, memorable corners. Rathgar doesn’t have any “big draws,” but there is a lot to find if you know where to look. Here are our favorite spots in one of the most expensive parts of Dublin.
Dodder Park is a great place to see wildlife in the city.
This strip of parkland along one of Dublin’s rivers is home to a fishing club. If you want to fish there, you can get in touch with Dodder Anglers. However, the area is best known for the surprising amount of wildlife that lives there. Along the narrow river, you can often see herons, sparrowhawks, foxes, kingfishers, and many different kinds of fish. A grenade from 1919 was found in the river only a year ago, and it had to be blown up. Usually, this is the quietest part of the city.
Take a walk around the grand Kenilworth Square.
This small city square has an interesting, if quiet, past. For example, the first bowls club in Dublin was here. It has since moved to Rathmines but still goes by the name “Kenilworth.” The bookseller Charles Eason, who started the still-popular national chain that bears his name, used to live here. The Victorian style of most of the homes here is reflected in their high prices, which are often in the millions of euros. A quiet stop with a lot of atmosphere.
Find out about Rathgar Village.
Rathmines, which is close by, might be a little more trendy, but Rathgar is very stylish and has a lot of places to explore that feel like small towns. Kanem is a Thai restaurant, and Mahek is an Indian restaurant. Both have a lot of flavor. The Flower Bowl is a fancy local flower shop that is worth putting your nose through the door just to smell. The food at The Revolution is good for families, and Runzone is a haven for athletes. Finish at Comans Pub, a popular spot in the area.
The drinks at Beckett and Bull are worth a look.
Beckett and Bull is a cool restaurant with a casual atmosphere that serves simple but high-quality food and a lot of cocktails. They say they are a mix of New York and Ireland, but we think the only thing that is really New York-like is the design. They serve avocado toast, blue cheese wings, fish and chips, and craft beers. The list of drinks is long and includes the classic baby Guinness. The atmosphere is calm.
53 Rathgar Avenue, Rathgar, Dublin 6, Ireland. +353 14980011
At Butler’s Pantry, you can shop and learn how to cook.
This small local chain is a great place to get a cake, loaf of bread, or one of their amazing gift baskets. However, it’s their occasional demonstrations that you should really keep an eye out for. The demos at Butler’s Pantry could be about anything from stew to cakes. They are a great way to learn how to cook with Irish ingredients. They’re also a great place to stop for short-term guests in Airbnb-style accommodations, since they offer ready-to-cook menus that cut down on waste and make it easy to relax after a day of sightseeing. Keep an eye on their website for their regular recipes.
Ireland, Rathgar Road, Dublin 6, +353 14929148
Check out what an American diner looks like in Ireland.
In Ireland, “pub grub” has mostly replaced “diner-style” food, so this Americanized chain is a rare sight, even if it is a large one. Eddie Rockets is a lot like an upscale McDonald’s meets a high-end roadside diner. It has jukeboxes, milkshakes, and waiters and waitresses dressed in fake American clothes. However, the prices are much higher than what you’d pay on the other side of the pond. Still, they make a great burger and are close enough to the American staple that they might help you feel less homesick. Plus, it’s fun in a good way.
The address is 3 Terenure Road East, Terenure, Dublin 6, Ireland, and the phone number is +353 14926463.
Watch the cricket team Leinster play
Just outside of Rathgar, in the nearby neighborhood of Rathmines, is the home of the successful provincial team Leinster Cricket. This team was a key part of Ireland getting test status, which is the highest level of international recognition. Cricket is still a very small sport in Ireland. This means it’s easy to get close to the stars, and even the best games can only draw a few dozen people. During the height of summer, single-day games (yes, “proper” cricket can last up to five days) can include barbeques and beers in the clubhouse, but most of the time, this is a pretty lonely look at an elite sport in Ireland that has been neglected but is growing quickly. Very much a case of “watch this space.”
Dublin 6, Observatory Lane, Rathmines, Ireland, +353 14972428
Topic: The Top Attractions & Activities in Rathgar Dublin Ireland
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