Arcadia Ireland

Running in Dublin builds character. Whether I’m dodging tourists on busy streets, fighting wind on the Dun Laoghaire pier, or zooming along the Dublin bay on a rainy day, I face challenges while also feeling incredibly lucky about where I get to live in Ireland.

Any day of the week here I can wake up for a run, walk outside, and immediately be knocked backwards by a gust of wind and sideways rain. On sunny and warmer days, runs can be euphoric. On these days choosing a route to run is as hard as picking a show to watch on Netflix, because nice weather here is the absolute best, and getting to take it all in on foot is quite a blessing.

Although I wouldn’t expect other runners who are studying abroad to be in training for any intense races, I do know that running plays a huge role in many of our lives, from quick 5ks to full marathons. I wanted to suggest some running routes of varying intensities for students looking to get out and about. I’d also walk any of these routes on days when I’m just looking for a nice stroll.

I feel obligated to note a few things before I encourage anyone to run: wearing headphones puts you at a greater risk of not being aware of surroundings (I got run over by a bike on Leeson Street when I had Shania Twain on full blast two years ago), so now I’d either keep one headphone out or just go music-less; next, wait for traffic signals, not only will people honk at you for going at the wrong time, but cyclists have places to be and things to do and have no interest in stopping for jaywalkers (or jayrunners, for that matter); finally, dress appropriately for unpredictable weather (and bring a leap card along incase a hail storm decides to surprise you mid-run). All of the routes and areas I recommend below are easily accessible by public transport and on foot.

City views:

Stephens Green is a must-do for running. This square covers 22 acres in the middle of Dublin City. I call this route the ‘Square 5k’, as it takes you through four of Dublin’s most famous squares: Dartmouth Square, Stephens Green, Merrion Square, and Fitzwilliam Square.

Running along the River Liffey can also be quite nice - but be mindful of the busy streets.

Nature & Beach views:

Herbert Park is in a lovely part of South Dublin, just near Donnybrook. The park is quite large and has many paths. Running through the surrounding neighborhood is a fun activity, as the houses are gorgeous and well kept, and the small strip of shops in Ranelagh serves as the quintessential South Dublin neighborhood staple. The route provided here also goes through Ballsbridge and along the Dublin Bay to combine parks and beach all in one run. This is another major benefit of Dublin - you can get to so many different types of places in one short run.

The Phoenix Park in North Dublin also serves as a wonderful nature area for running. I completed the Dublin half marathon there in September and can attest to its natural beauty and escape from the busy city. It’s also the largest enclosed public park in Europe!

Finally, I’d recommend the UCD paths. They surround the campus and serve as a nice getaway still very close to the city. All runners are welcome here, so don’t worry if you’re not a UCD student. One major perk of the paths: everyone walks their dogs on them! 

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