Pick a scenic spot near where you live that you don’t visit all that often. Remember that the weather out at the lighthouse might be a whole lot different from the weather in the city - certainly much windier - so wear appropriate clothing. There are two options, depending on how much time you have: starting on Pigeon House Road, you can finish the shorter route in under an hour, while starting on Sandymount Strand will take over two hours. It is particularly spectacular when the sun is setting on a clear day. But have you ever seen them up close? A walk to the Poolbeg Lighthouse along the Great South Wall gives you an excellent view of the chimneys, and a different perspective of the city from the sea. Most people who have lived in or visited Dublin will be familiar with the red and white chimney stacks that loom over the city.
With a little bit of time and effort, a decent treasure hunt can deliver hours of free fun for children
If you are unsure of what glories the heavens above hold, download the Sky Guide app, point your phone at the sky, and it will highlight the constellations and planets. On a clear evening, pick a suitably picturesque spot within striking distance of your home and walk, cycle or drive there in time to watch the sun go down and the stars come up. Pitch a tent, light a barbecue and live the great outdoors life, safe in the knowledge that your bathroom and your fridge are steps away (and if it gets too uncomfortable, so is your bed). It is surprisingly good fun to go all Bear Grylls while staying within spitting distance of your back door, and the kids will love it. We’re not talking about going to some gloriously sun-kissed campsite on the Med - although you can do that too if you’re lucky - but pitching a tent in your back garden for a night. If you struggle with the chill, just keep telling yourself you will get used to it - eventually - and if you don’t, you can buy yourself a wetsuit keep an eye on the fabled middle aisles for cheap ones (although, be warned, the best sizes found in Lidl and Aldi tend to sell out faster than you can say “Jaysus, but it’s brass monkeys in there”).īallyhornan Beach, Co Down. Once you take the right precautions - never swim alone or in water with dangerous currents or waves or out of your depth if you are not a strong swimmer - a seawater splash is a glorious way to pass an afternoon. It is one of our best resources and wonderfully and permanently free. Ireland is fortunate enough to be surrounded by - mostly - clean, if frequently chilly, water. With prices rising, families are feeling the pinch, but there are plenty of fun things to keep all ages entertained over the summer months that don’t cost a thing.