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Countryside

No matter where you are in Dublin, you’re only a short trip away from the beach or the simply stunning landscapes.

Dublin Bay

The UCD Smurfit campus lies south of Dublin city centre, near the seaside village of Blackrock. Follow the coast further south and you will come to Dun Laoghaire, whose two Victorian piers are popular with walkers and people watchers alike. On your travels, you should pay a visit to the pretty town of Dalkey; well known for both celebrity residents and great pubs. The surrounding area of Killiney has its own bay, which has been likened to the Bay of Biscay for its palm trees and glistening coastline!

If you take a trip along the northern coast, you can enjoy the two picturesque coastal towns of Malahide and Howth. Also on the north shore is Bull Island, which supports one of the most important nature conservation sites in Ireland.

The Dublin Mountains

The Dublin Mountains, and beyond them, the Wicklow Mountains are only 30 minutes from our campus. The area is wild and generally uninhabited, providing hundreds of square miles of open country and a wide range of activities, from hill walking and cycling to fishing and rafting. If you want something a bit less energetic, though, just hop in the car and enjoy the scenery.

Around Ireland

Venturing outside Dublin City is an experience to remember. Enjoying over 1448km of dramatic coastline, coastal counties have an abundance of breathtaking beaches and pretty fishing villages, where you can do everything from horseride along deserted sands before tucking into delicious seafood chowder, to testing your vertigo peering over the Cliffs of Moher, County Clare, or island hopping around the isolated islands scattered along the Irish coastline.

Inland, water features still take pride of place, with the magnificent River Shannon stretching 344km and winding through some of the most unspoilt vistas in the country. Weaving its way from the Shannon Pot in County Cavan to Loop Head in County Clare, you can refresh the senses by taking a trip on a cabin cruiser or even pitting your wits against the great wild salmon that dominate this waterway. If you fancy more of an adrenaline rush, then you can canoe, kayak or white water raft your way around some truly splendid waterways, including the Lagan, Barrow, Nore Rivers and Lough Erne.

Of course, there’s plenty more to see for lovers of the land, including the bizarre lunar landscape of the Giant’s Causeway in County Antrim; the unique limestone layered expanse of The Burren, which was formed roughly 340million years ago; or sample the lush green lands of County Kildare, where champion horse breeding sits well amidst this horse racing county. You can even pop along to the National Stud auctions – even if you’re not in the market for a thoroughbred just yet!

Peppered up and down the countryside, you’ll also find festivals galore, plus warm, welcoming people wherever you go. Play your cards right and the next time you venture into a local pub, you may find yourself in the midst of a traditional seisi ún (music and dance), where you can kick back and forget about your studies for a little while, at least!