Dublin City Council have organised a series of summer tours for the South East Area.

Tours will include those in the Villages of Dublin 4 series (under the Vibrant Villages & Urban Communities initiative) and the very early morning Dawn Chorus at Herbert Park!

Sandymount – A Step above Buttermilk

Thursday, 9^th May at 2.30pm

Meet outside Lansdowne Road DART Station, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4

When Sandymount started to develop as a seaside resort in the 18^th and 19^th centuries, its residents were determined to reserve their beach facilities and housing for more upwardly mobile classes than had been frequenting some of the other coastal resorts at the time. Delve into this area’s historic past with Pat Liddy.

Ballsbridge – Tracks, Bridges and a River

Thursday, 16^th May at 2.30pm

Meet outside Sandymount DART Station, Sandymount Avenue, Dublin 4

Hear about the development of Ballsbridge as a key township served by the world’s first suburban railway as well as a road from medieval times and blessed or cursed by a turbulent river. Accompanying Pat Liddy again on this walk will be Niall Hatch for another spot of birdwatching!

Donnybrook – Convents, Communications and Commerce from the Earliest Times

Thursday, 30^th May at 2.30pm

Meet at the junction of Donnybrook Road/Marlborough Road/Morehampton Road, Donnybrook, Dublin 4

Donnybrook is a centre dating back over a thousand years owing its origins to a monastic foundation, its closeness to a sustaining river and convenience as a stopover point on an ancient medieval road. Enjoy a tour with Pat Liddy through the village before finishing at the Church of the Sacred Heart where Ray McGovern will be on hand to give you an insight into history of the church and its wonderful stained glass windows.

The Dawn Chorus

Saturday, 11^th May at 4.30am

Meet at the entrance to Herbert Park, Herbert Park, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4

Calling all you early birds and nature lovers! See and hear a host of different birds in the company of Niall Hatch, Development Officer with Birdwatch Ireland for our very first Dawn Chorus event in Herbert Park.

Harold’s Cross – From Times Past Until Today

Saturday, 11th of May at 12 noon

Meet in Harold’s Cross Park, Harold’s Cross, Dublin 6W

Absorb the atmosphere of the Harold’s Cross Village Community Festival as we take a tour around one of Dublin’s most ancient suburbs. Whilst only a small amount of physical evidence remains from the earliest days, the area abounds in stories, curiosities and some striking buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Jonathan Swift – A Giant In A Then Literary Lilliput

Friday, 14^th June at 4pm

Meet at the Bell Tower, Main Square, Trinity College, Dublin 2

Celebrate the tercentenary of Jonathan Swift becoming Dean of St. Patrick’s Cathedral with a tour taking in many places associated with this great man. En route, you’ll hear about his work, life and times in a Dublin that was divided by the excesses of wealth and poverty. The tour will conclude at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in time for ‘Swift in his own Words’, the story of Swift’s time at the cathedral told through music, recitals and readings which takes place as part of the ‘Swift 300’ programme of events.

The Liberties – An Historic Circle Of Immigration & Emigration

Wednesday, 17^th July at 2.30pm

Meet in the grounds of Christchurch Cathedral, Christchurch Place, Dublin 8

Take a gentle stroll through the Liberties, once the industrial engine of Dublin famous for wool, poplin, brewing and distilling. Their very success eventually caused their demise and the area gradually plunged into decay and poverty only to begin to rise again as a proud and vibrant quarter in its own right.