Dún Laoghaire Walking Tours, The Dublin Riviera

The Pavilion hosted lavish Viennese balls, and served as the ultimate social hub for high society, complete with a rooftop garden, tearooms, a smoking room, ladies’ and gentlemen’s reading rooms and a skating rink.
The Royal Marine Hotel opened its doors in 1865. The luxurious hotel attracted many aristocratic and royal guests. The beautiful ornamental gardens included walks, statues, flower knots and sparking fountains.
By the early 20th century, Kingstown had become a fashionable and stylish Victorian town. The harbour and the waterfront were busy with elegantly dressed people wining and dining at the local yacht clubs and strolling along the East Pier.

Wednesday, 2 September 2026 - Saturday, 30 October 2027

Event times:

11:00 - 12:30

Event location:

Harbour Plaza

Event price:

€25.00

About this event

The Dublin Riviera is a guided walking tour along Dún Laoghaire seafront and harbour. The walk is led by Eileen O'Duffy, local author and historian. Tours take place 11am Wednesdays & Saturdays. Meet at Harbour Plaza, entrance to Old Ferry Terminal.

The Dublin Riviera is a guided walk back in time to a golden era where local Dún Laoghaire residents and visitors wined and dined in the yacht clubs, restaurants and hotels along the waterfront, and danced in the Pavilion, the ballrooms and the nightclubs. The walk will provide an insight into the symbiotic relationship between the harbour and the town and how this helped Dún Laoghaire to evolve into an elegant, glamorous “Dublin Riviera”.

Highlights:

Waterfront Yacht Clubs and the Royal Visits

The Pavilion and Town Hall

Royal Marine Hotel and Gardens

Haddington House Hotel

Former Seafront hotels on Victoria and Marine Terrace

Dún Laoghaire Baths (finish)

Readers are advised to check with the organiser before relying on the details published here.

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