By Shayna Sappington
30th Jun 2020
30th Jun 2020
As things begin to reopen around the country, these outdoor activities are a fun and safe way to socialise while maintaining physical distance
If you find yourself a bit wary of eating out or going to the pub, there are still plenty of outdoor activities going on in Dublin at the moment.
The first weekend of phase three will see many reopenings of museums, non-essential retailers, hotels, galleries and more.
These activities are a great way to entertain the family, explore a new side of the city or just enjoy the fresh air post-lockdown.
Watch the fireworks in Phoenix Park
The US Embassy in Phoenix Park has announced that it will continue its tradition of Fourth of July celebrations on Saturday. The park will host a dazzling fireworks display in honour of frontline workers that have worked tirelessly to keep the public safe during the pandemic.
US Ambassador to Ireland, Edward F. Crawford, announced the show on Twitter, saying: “The 2020 fireworks display will go forward IN HONOR OF IRELAND’S FRONTLINE WORKERS for their incredible commitment in a very difficult time. We hope that when you see and hear the fireworks over Phoenix Park at 11pm, you will give thanks for their selfless efforts to make us all safer.”
The display starts at 11pm, and the best view will be from the Fifteen Acres area of the park which looks on to the lawn of the Ambassador’s residence. It will also be streamed live on US Embassy Dublin’s Facebook page.
Go to a drive-in cinema
Households can take a trip to their local Retro Drive-in Movies or the RDS to watch a favourite film outdoors. Adhering to strict safety precautions, Retro has sanitation stations, frequently cleaned toilets and a designated Covid-19 officer. They can even scan tickets through a closed car window.
Currently, a maximum of five people are allowed per vehicle and are encouraged to bring their own snacks and stay in the car as much as possible. At Retro’s Leopardstown Racecourse location, this weekend guests can watch iconic films like Mean Girls, Wolf of Wall Street and Grease. And at the RDS, favourites like Toy Story, The Avengers and Pulp Fiction will be playing. Be sure to get there early to grab a good spot.
Visit the National Botanic Gardens
The National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin is reopened to visitors, offering daily guided tours from Wednesday, July 1. The outdoor tour will highlight gorgeous, rare, and quirky plants while revealing the fascinating history and international significance of the National Botanic Gardens.
On Saturdays, they offer a special themed tour, which changes each month. This month will feature a beautiful Herbaceous Border, Annual and Bedding Displays, the Rose Garden, and much more. Tickets are just €6 and must be booked in advance online. The gardens are open 10am to 5pm on weekdays and 10am to 6pm on weekends.
Attend yoga in the park
Happenings Yoga is offering Saturday yoga classes in Dartmouth Square with Michael Ryan, yoga instructor to President Michael D Higgins. Instead of paying a regular attendance fee, participants must register and donate online, with all proceeds going to Direct Provision.Donations can be made here.
There are two classes available this Saturday at 11am and 12:15pm. They were originally scheduled for last week but were postponed due to rainy weather. So be sure to book them soon before they sell out. Hand sanitiser will be provided but be sure to bring your own mat and social distance by at least two metres when picking your spot.
For something a bit more active, Ultra Outdoor Adventures is also offering a rock climbing and yoga ticket combo. The workshop is Saturday, July 4, from 9am to 1pm and bookings can be made here. It will start with a yoga session at Killiney Hill and will be followed by a rock climbing and abseiling session in the Dalkey Quarry.
Take a day trip to Powerscourt Estate
Just 20 kilometres south of Dublin city centre, Powerscourt Estate has gorgeous gardens, a waterfall, design loft, hotel, cafe and distillery. It is a great place to take a family trip on a sunny day. The gardens, currently ranked in the world’s top three by National Geographic, are a vast 47-acres with ponds, scenic trails and the historic Pepperpot Tower.
There is also an Avoca cafe on the terrace, where guests can dine with fantastic views as well as boutique shops, where you can buy homeware, gifts, clothing and locally supplied plants. The Powerscourt Distillery opens this Friday, July 3, and is offering tours, tastings and food pairing experiences. Tickets can be booked on their website.
Read more: How to host a socially-distanced party
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Read more: Phase 3: Here is a list of everything allowed to reopen and restart from today
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