> Dublin DIY Walking Tour (South) Route Map <
Distance: 7 km (about 4 miles); Duration: 3-10 hours
This DIY Walking Tour of Dublin is 7 kilometres long (about 4 miles – so get your comfy walking shoes on), and takes in most of the attractions of the southern part of central Dublin that you’ll want to visit:
Kilmainham Gaol > Richmond Tower > IMMA Garden Walk > Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) > Guinness Storehouse > Teeling Whiskey Distillery > St Patrick’s Cathedral > Marsh’s Library > MoLI – Museum of Literature Ireland > St Stephen’s Green > National Museum of Ireland (Archaeology) > National Gallery of Ireland > Trinity College Dublin > The Book of Kells > Irish Whiskey Museum > Chester Beatty > Dublin Castle > Christ Church Cathedral > Temple Bar > The Irish Rock ‘n’ Roll Museum Experience > Millennium Bridge > Ha’penny Bridge.
And because it’s a DIY walking tour of Dublin, you can take it at your very own pace; stopping for a coffee/snack/drink where, when, and for as long as you like; lingering at the attractions of Dublin which interest you (and speeding past those that don’t).
If you were to simply rush round without stopping, you could easily complete the walk in 2 hours. However, I would recommend taking a full day to complete this route around the southern part of central Dublin – as there’s just so much to see and do (and splitting the walk over two days would be even better).
Accessibility:
Technically, this entire route is accessible. But I wouldn’t recommend following the entire route for two reasons:
- The route involves a short-cut – which involves a lot of steps (at Cromwell’s Quarters). There is a detour though – but it involves going up a hilly street. A long and continuously rising hilly street. So really only for powerchair users;
- The area after the Guinness Storehouse on this route, involves a lot of very narrow streets, with very narrow pavements.
Instead, I would split the walk in two (and miss out a bit in the middle):
- Take a Luas/tram to Heuston (all Dublin trams are accessible), and then make a return trip to IMMA (and from IMMA, down to the Kilmainham Gaol Museum and back). This will all take around 2 hours (longer if you want to spend any time at either IMMA or at the Kilmainham Gaol Museum);
- And, later, follow the eastern section of the route, starting from either St.Patrick’s Cathedral or MoLI (just take a Luas to St.Stephens Green stop, and roll to either from there).
Dublin DIY Walking Tour (South): Walking Directions
[These are very thorough walking directions – you shouldn’t be getting lost in Dublin when following this guide].
However, I definitely recommend that you follow the Google Streetview route of the entire Dublin DIY Walking Tour (South) first, from the comfort of your own home before you head to Dublin, as this will allow you to better visualise the entire route before you arrive].
START: Bus Stop – Kilmainham Gaol
[MAP]:
There is now a new entrance to Kilmainham Gaol – to your LEFT, and then RIGHT, as you exit the bus.
Kilmainham Gaol [MAP]:
As soon as you have booked your stay in Dublin, make a booking for Kilmainham Gaol (it’s seriously popular, and tickets sell fast – so it just has to be done as soon as you know the dates when you’ll be in Dublin).
If you are unlucky enough to be ticketless when you arrive, a visit is still possible (well, a partial visit):
As well as the actual Kilmainham Gaol itself, there is also a museum (for which you don’t need a ticket – it’s FREE). Nowhere near as good as visiting Kilmainham Gaol – but it’s still very much worth seeing.
After your visit, turn RIGHT, and head towards the Pedestrian Crossing at the junction (your ultimate destination will be to pass through the castle-like gateway of Richmond Tower facing you on the opposite side of the road).
Pedestrian Crossing [MAP]:
Light-controlled, with dropped kerbs on both sides.
After crossing South Circular Road here, walk towards Richmond Tower, and the start of the IMMA Garden Walk.
Richmond Tower & IMMA Garden Walk
[MAP]:
Once you have passed through the gates of the Richmond Tower, you enter the gardens of IMMA (the Irish Museum of Modern Art), and the start of the IMMA Garden Walk.
The IMMA Garden Walk is less than 400 metres in length. Along a tarmac path, which rises ever-so-slightly in this direction. This main path is at a higher elevation than the rest of the park, and although paths heading off to the left are passable too, they head downhill. So you may struggle to return to the main path.
As the main path is so wonderfully traffic-free anyway, and wider, I would just head straight along there. it’s a very easy 10-minute walk/roll.
At the end of the path, you will arrive at, and pass through, the western entrance to the IMMA courtyard. At the centre of the courtyard, turn RIGHT, and head to the entrance to the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA).
Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA)
[MAP – Entrance]:
The Irish Museum of Modern Art is housed in the stunning building of the 17th Century Royal Hospital Kilmainham.
General admission to IMMA is free. Although there is a charge to visit some special exhibitions, these are free to all on Tuesdays (but advanced booking is recommended for these on Tuesdays).
Thanks to lifts, all areas of IMMA are accessible to all. And toilets, including accessible toilets, are to be found in many areas.
There are steps leading down to the formal gardens at IMMA though. Technically, there is a roundabout way to get down there (around the side of the gardens), but as the paths within the formal gardens are composed of gravel, and as you would have to push back up a hill afterwards, I wouldn’t recommend it. The view over the formal gardens from the top of the steps is lovely in itself [VIEW].
Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) – Exit [MAP]:
Exit IMMA using the same courtyard door that you entered from. And once you reach the centre of the courtyard again, turn RIGHT, and pass through the eastern archway.
Continue STRAIGHT AHEAD, via the LEFTHAND pavement [MAP], until you reach the dropped kerb at the IMMA entrance gate on Military Road [MAP].
Decision Time....
This is where I would recommend wheelchair users just turn LEFT, and make your way back to Heuston station.
For everyone else though, turn RIGHT, crossing the road and Irwin Street at the same time, (so that you end up on the LEFTHAND pavement of Irwin Street).
Turn LEFT at the bottom of Irwin Street, cross to the opposite side of the road at Bow Bridge, continue LEFT along this RIGHTHAND pavement, and you will soon see the bottom of the steps at Cromwell’s Quarters.
Cromwell’s Quarters [MAP]:
Walk up the steps of Cromwell’s Quarters, turning LEFT at the top, and continue up James Street.
James Street [MAP]:
Follow James Street until the first pedestrian crossing appears on your RIGHT (you will also see the tram tracks curving down to James’s Luas Stop).
Pedestrian Crossing [MAP]:
Cross here (the crossing has an island in the centre, and has dropped kerbs at all points).
At the end of the second part of the crossing, turn LEFT-ISH, and continue following James Street (but now on the RIGHTHAND pavement) until you arrive at Echlin Street – on your RIGHT – you will cross Basin Street Lower along the way).
DON’T turn right straight away though.
Instead, cross the road first, at this junction, and THEN turn RIGHT, continuing down the LEFTHAND pavement of Echlin Street (St.James’ Church will be on your immediate LEFT as you continue down Echlin Street).
At the end of Echlin Street, turn LEFT, into Grand Canal Place (and continue to follow this LEFTHAND pavement).
Eventually, as Grand Canal Place straightens out, the road becomes Pim Street (you will now see the Guinness buildings on your LEFT).
Take the very first turning on your LEFT, into Market Street South. After a few metres, you will see the entrance to the Guinness Storehouse on your LEFT.
Guinness Storehouse
[MAP]:
Accessibility: The Guinness Storehouse is indeed wheelchair accessible. The easiest way for wheelchair users to get to the Guinness Storehouse though, is by accessible taxi from central Dublin (not cheap). And, when you do arrive there – don’t arrive at the main entrance (there is a separate accessible entrance to the Guinness Storehouse on Robert Street).
After your Guinness Storehouse visit, turn LEFT as you leave, and continue following Market Street South (which eventually becomes known as Bellevue).
At the end of Bellevue, cross Sugar House Lane, and follow School Street (you will still be heading in roughly the same direction as you were when leaving the Guinness Storehouse).
School Street [MAP]:
Follow School Street until it becomes Earl Street South (after you cross the sidestreet of Thomas Court).
At the end of Earl Street South, turn RIGHT into the wider Meath Street.
Meath Street [MAP]:
Follow the RIGHTHAND pavement of Meath Street as you head south (crossing a number of sidestreets along the way).
Eventually, you will arrive at a pedestrian crossing which will take you across The Coombe, into Brabazon Street.
Brabazon Street [MAP]:
Follow Brabazon Street to the end (where it then curves LEFT, and becomes Weaver’s Street).
Don’t follow Weaver’s Street though. Instead, pass through the archway on the building ahead of you/your right, and you will immediately see a Pedestrian Crossing in front of you.
Pedestrian Crossing [MAP]:
After crossing the road here, turn LEFT, then immediately turn RIGHT, and continue down Brabazon Street again, turning LEFT into Newmarket at the end of the street.
Newmarket [MAP]:
As you turn into Newmarket, you will immediately see the distinctive building of the Teeling Whiskey Distillery on the opposite side of the road.
Teeling Irish Whiskey Distillery
[MAP]:
After your Teeling Whiskey Distillery visit, turn RIGHT as you leave, and take the first turning on the LEFT as you follow Newmarket. Go down the steps at the end, and turn RIGHT, into the main St.Luke’s Avenue;
St.Luke’s Avenue [MAP]:
Follow St.Luke’s Avenue as it sweeps left. Turn RIGHT at the end, and you will immediately see a Pedestrian Crossing on your LEFT (which will take you across the wider The Coombe);
Pedestrian Crossing [MAP]:
At the end of the crossing, turn RIGHT, and continue until you see Patrick Street on your LEFT (after crossing one sidestreet).
Don’t immediately turn left here though.
Instead, cross Patrick Street via the Pedestrian Crossing which starts on your RIGHT, and crosses the end of Dean Street – THEN, after the first stage of the crossing, turn LEFT and another Pedestrian Crossing will take you across Patrick Street.
Turn LEFT at the end ot the Pedestrian Crossing, and head towards St Patrick’s Cathedral (which will be on your RIGHT now).
The main entrance to St Patrick’s Cathedral is on St Patrick’s Close (on your RIGHT, just before you reach the cathedral). But BEFORE turning right, cross the end of St Patrick’s Close via the wee dropped kerb crossing ahead of you first, and THEN turn RIGHT (with the cathedral immediately on your LEFT after turning).
St Patrick's Cathedral
[MAP]:
After visiting St Patrick’s Cathedral, turn LEFT and just as St.Patrick’s Close bends round to the RIGHT, you will see the entrance gate to Marsh’s Library on your LEFT.
Marsh's Library
[MAP]:
After your visit to Marsh’s Library, turn LEFT, and continue along St.Patrick’s Close, and at the end, turn LEFT into the main Kevin Street Upper;
Kevin Street Upper [MAP]:
Follow the road, until you reach the Crossing AHEAD of you (which crosses Bride Street);
Crossing [MAP]:
Careful: There are no lights at this crossing (but there are dropped kerbs on either side).
After crossing, turn RIGHT, and almost immediately, turn LEFT, into Kevin Street Lower;
Kevin Street Lower [MAP]:
Your ulimate objective is now to cross to the other side of Kevin Street Lower, and to then continue in the same direction (but on the RIGHTHAND pavement). However, just continue along this LEFTHAND pavement of Kevin Street Lower until you see a Pedestrian Crossing AHEAD/ON YOUR RIGHT (which crosses the sidestreet of Redmond’s Hill).
This first part of the crossing ends at a traffic island, where you should take the crossing on your RIGHT – which ends on the OPPOSITE side of Kevin Street Lower.
At the end of this crossing, turn LEFT, and you will immediately see another two-stage Pedestrian Crossing AHEAD of you (which will take you across Wexford Street).
At the end of the final crossing, continue STRAIGHT AHEAD/turn slightly LEFT-ISH and continue along Cuffe Street;
Cuffe Street [MAP]:
Continue along Cuffe Street to the Pedestrian Crossing, at the next junction (which crosses Harcourt Street).
You will now see the trees of St.Stephen’s Green (diagonally across the junction). But for now, remain on this side of the main road.
After crossing Harcourt Street here, continue (in the same direction as before) along the RIGHTHAND pavement until you see the Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLI) on your RIGHT.
Museum of Literature Ireland - MoLI
[MAP]:
Accessibility Warning: There are steps leading up to the main entrance of MoLI.
After seeing/visiting MoLI, cross the main road, towards St.Stephen’s Green, using the Pedestrian Crossing located directly outside of MoLI (slightly to your RIGHT when the building is behind you);
At the end of the crossing, continue STRAIGHT AHEAD (you will see an entrance to St.Stephen’s Green directly in front of you.
St.Stephen's Green
[MAP]:
When you enter St.Stephen’s Green, continue STRAIGHT AHEAD until you pass round the central “pedestrian roundabout”, then continue in roughly the same direction until you cross the BRIDGE OVER THE POND;
After crossing the bridge, take the MIDDLE path. This leads to a smaller exit to the northern side of St.Stephen’s Green;
As you exit St.Stephen’s Green here, turn RIGHT, and continue until you see a Pedestrian Crossing on your LEFT (beside the Lady Grattan Drinking Fountain).
When you reach the opposite pavement, turn RIGHT (don’t be confused when you see trams here now – Google still uses an older image – from 2010!).
Continue eastwards until the next junction (with Kildare Street). As you actually want to walk along the RIGHTHAND pavement of Kildare Street though, cross here at the Pedestrian Crossing at this junction;
Pedestrian Crossing [MAP]:
After crossing here, turn LEFT, and continue along the RIGHTHAND side of Kildare Street, until you see the National Museum of Ireland (Archaeology) – the entrance is AFTER you pass the building.
National Museum of Ireland (Archaeology)
[MAP]:
After your visit to the National Museum of Ireland (Archaeology), turn RIGHT as you exit, and continue along the RIGHTHAND pavement of Kildare Street until it ends, then turn RIGHT again, into Leinster Street South.
Continue along the RIGHTHAND pavement of Leinster Street South – until you see the Clare Lane entrance to the National Gallery of Ireland on your RIGHT (just before Clare Lane itself).
National Gallery of Ireland
[MAP]:
After your National Gallery of Ireland visit, again exit by the Clare Lane entrance, and walk slightly to your LEFT, where you will see a Pedestrian Crossing, which crosses the main Leinster Street South;
Pedestrian Crossing [MAP]:
After crossing Leinster Street South here, turn LEFT, and continue all the way to the end/where Leinster Street South swings RIGHT and joins Grafton Street (the trees of Trinity College Park will be on your RIGHT).
After you have followed the road round to your right, you will see the main entrance to Trinity College Dublin on your RIGHT.
Trinity College Dublin & The Book of Kells
[MAP]:
Once inside Trinity College, you must visit The Book of Kells (one of Dublin’s most visited relics).
After your Trinity College Dublin visit, you will see a Pedestrian Crossing immediately outside of the main entrance (well, slightly to the LEFT);
Pedestrian Crossing [MAP]:
After crossing Grafton Street here, turn slightly to your LEFT, and you will see the entrance to the Irish Whiskey Museum.
Irish Whiskey Museum
[MAP]:
As you leave the Irish Whiskey Museum, turn LEFT, and LEFT again, and head along College Green (which becomes Dame Street). You will cross numerous sidestreets along the way, until you eventually see Palace Street on your LEFT (which leads to the visitors’ entrance to Dublin Castle).
Dublin Castle
[MAP]:
After visiting Dublin Castle, again leave by Palace Street, turn LEFT when you reach Dame Street again, and continue walking along this LEFTHAND side of the road (initially, towards the magnificent Dublin City Hall building).
As you continue in this direction, you will cross numerous sidestreets on your LEFT (and the street name changes as you progress: Dame Street, then Lord Edward Street);
Continue until the road sweeps around to the LEFT (where you will see Christ Church Cathedral ahead of you/on the other side of the street).
Just BEFORE the road veers LEFT, you will see a Pedestrian Crossing on your RIGHT;
Pedestrian Crossing [MAP]:
The crossing here is in two stages. First, cross to the island on the opposite side. Then, turn LEFT, and cross to Christ Church Cathedral.
At the end of this second part of the crossing, turn slightly to your LEFT again, and you will see the arched entrance to Christ Church Cathedral.
Christ Church Cathedral
[MAP]:
After your Christ Church Cathedral visit, return to the same Pedestrian Crossing as before.
However, this time when you reach the island in the centre of the crossing, continue STRAIGHT AHEAD, and then continue down this LEFTHAND side of Lord Edward Street, until you see Parliament Street on your LEFT (opposite City Hall – it will be the second street that you come to.
Turn LEFT into Parliament Street, and continue to the Temple Bar area at the end of the street.
At the first junction (with Essex Street East), you will see a Pedestrian Crossing on your RIGHT.
At the end of the crossing, turn LEFT, and then immediately turn RIGHT, and follow Essex Street East through the Temple Bar area.
Temple Bar
There are numerous cafes/bars here, where you can enjoy a well-earned Dublin refreshment at the end of your DIY Walking Tour of Dublin.
YOUR DIY WALKING TOUR OF DUBLIN NOW ENDS
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