Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin

Dun Laoghaire has had its share of monikers over the years. Initially established as Dun Leary, then renamed Kingstown in honour of King George IV’s 1821 visit, it is now known in the original Irish spelling as Dun Laoghaire. One thing has stayed the same, however — the area’s popularity with residents and tourists alike!

Dun Laoghaire has a rich history as a major port, once being the largest in the country, as well as the endpoint for Ireland’s first railway. Today it is a well-established village with a wide array of shops, restaurants, pubs, cinemas, and of course, plenty of recreational activities. Dun Laoghaire locals enjoy everything from dining at favourites such as Bistro Le Monde, to sea swimming at the Forty Foot, catching a show at the Pavilion Theatre or any number of marine activities in one of Dun Laoghaire’s four yacht clubs. On Sundays, The People’s Park draws huge numbers of both stallholders and visitors to their famous Farmers’ Market.

Located within 10 kilometres from Dublin City Centre, Dun Laoghaire is extremely well served by public transport. The DART line offers 20-minute trips from the city centre, and there are excellent bus routes in the area along with the Aircoach servicing Dublin Airport. There are numerous schools in the area, with some of Dublin’s top-rated primary and secondary schools located close by.