Free summer bus tours launch for tourists and locals in Dún Laoghaire

Dubbed ‘Seaside Discovery’, the free, hop-on, hop-off service will operate every 45 minutes between 9.30am and 5pm.

This service is a 12-week pilot program aimed at cruise ship passengers, but is also available for tourists and locals.

It is an initiative of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, in partnership with the Dún Laoghaire Business Association.

The route’s eight stops are:

• Dún Laoghaire Harbour (Harbour Road - beside the Ferry Terminal Building)
• Royal Marine Hotel
• George’s Street (Shopping Centre)
• Dún Laoghaire Baths/People’s Park
• James Joyce Tower, Sandycove
• Opposite Caviston’s Glasthule
• Opposite Dún Laoghaire Shopping Centre
• McKenna’s (St Michael’s Hospital)

Seaside Discovery bus tours will include a guided commentary highlighting landmarks like the People’s Park, Dún Laoghaire Baths and James Joyce Martello tower along the way.

"We are thrilled to offer this unique opportunity for tourists and locals to explore the beauty of our coastline,” said Denis O’Callaghan, Cathaoirleach of the County Council.

Initially, the tours are not wheelchair accessible, but the Council says it will evaluate demand “to incorporate into any future plans for this service”.

It comes as Dun Laoghaire expects dozens of cruise ship calls this year, from lines including MSC, Norwegian and Viking.

In other cruise news, a survey by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) found that Irish holidaymakers took a record of almost 58,000 cruise holidays last year.

The highest previous total was 48,276 in 2019, it said.

It also found that the average age of cruisers is decreasing – from an average age of 56.1 years in 2022 to an average of 55.1 years in 2023 .

Find more information on Seaside Discovery tours here.