Sunrise is a beautiful time of day! There is something emotionally uplifting about watching the sun crest the horizon and the world waking up. If you are able to, taking the time to observe the sunrise is an excellent way to start the day. Here is our list of the best places to watch sunrise in Dublin.
Benefits of watching sunrise
Not only does watching the sunrise feel good, it also does good for you! It is a known fact that regular sun exposure is linked to lower anxiety rates. It is also known that exposure to direct sunlight early in the morning helps your body reset your circadian rhythm and also helps your body in the releasing and suppressing of melatonin (the sleepy hormone!) So let’s seek more sunrises!
Before we get into our list of the top 5 places to watch the sunrise in Dublin, as we all know, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. However in Ireland, due to our northerly latitude, the sun rises between the Southeast on the winter solstice and the Northeast on the summer solstice.
When it comes to finding a spot to observe the sunrise, the main thing to look for is an unobstructed view of the horizon. This will mean you can watch the true sunrise without having to wait for it to crest over hills or buildings. There are two ways to do this as we see it;
1. Climbing above everything
2. Heading down to the coast.
Here is our list of the top 5 places to watch the sunrise in Dublin!
Howth
One of Ireland’s only tombolos, Howth is perhaps is one of the best locations to watch the sunrise in Dublin regardless of the time of year! This is because depending on the time of year and this the bearing the sun will rise at, you can position yourself at different sides of Howth. Another benefit is that you can get coffee or breakfast in Howth Market once the sun is up!
Carrickgollogan Hill
One of the most easterly hills in Dublin, Carrickgollogan Hill provides a great coastal view over Bray, Dun Laoghaire, and all the way up to Portmarnock. If you want to watch the world wake up as the sun rises this is a great spot. It involves a short 10 or 15-minute walk from the carpark to the top of the hill so allow a bit of extra time! Carrickgollogan is also on our list of the best places to watch the sunset in Dublin because of the amazing views it offers over the Wicklow Mountains.
Killiney Hill
Killiney Hill is unique as it is right beside the Irish Sea. This means it offers the best-of-both-worlds as you are able to get above any obstructions whilst also having a view of the horizon over the ocean. As a result, you can get some pretty spectacular low sun views out over the Irish Sea.
Fairy Castle
A personal favorite of ours, Fairy Castle requires a short hike in order to appreciate the sunrise! The trails are well maintained, and if you wish you can simply walk the tarmac road up to the aerials and witness the sunrise from there.
Sandymount, Portmarnock, or the Great South Wall.
We are bundling these all together as coastal locations as they are all fantastic options if you live near the coast. As long as the clouds and the weather plays ball you will witness a lovely sunrise, and be able to go to many of the amazing coffee shops along the coast afterward!
If you get out for sunrise at one of these locations this week be sure to tag us on social media! We love to see the adventures that people fit into their lives!
