Where to go cycling at night, northside of Dublin or nearby

El Tarangu · 15-02-2026 10:50PM #1

Where would you recommend to go cycling at night (road bike, mostly) - ideally segregated cycle lane, but does not have to be.

Seafront - Alife Byrne Road - Dublin Port Greenway

Royal Canal Greenway

Phoenix Park (not really cycled here at night, don't know if you would run into other nocturnal characters)

Balheary Road in Swords - I imagine this is quiet at night, but do cars speed around here?

What other places would you recommend?

magicbastarder · 15-02-2026 11:13PM

lit or unlit?

only the main avenue in the phoenix park is lit, and it's not that well lit IIRC.

retalivity · 16-02-2026 12:15AM

I wouldnt be cycling the other roads in phoenix park at night, pretty dark and lots of wildlife about - animal and human.

You could do laps of the roads between the runways at dublin airport, a 7k loop, no traffiic on 3/4 of it, and well lit from the airport and runways.

https://strava.app.link/ryAbE5N3M0b

Cyclingtourist · 16-02-2026 12:19AM

Clontarf to Sutton greenaway.

El Tarangu · 16-02-2026 12:46PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124239330#Comment_124239330

Can be either, I've got pretty good lights. I suppose the overriding factor would be fewer interactions with cars/being stopped at busy junctions. Also if the area is sketchy at night. I understand some parts on the grand canal had several cyclists attacked a few years ago.

Cyclingtourist · 16-02-2026 12:50PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124240137#Comment_124240137

The Grand canal is on the Southside. Rough area the Southside, best avoid it altogether.

magicbastarder · 16-02-2026 01:02PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124240137#Comment_124240137

yeah, there were attacks a few years ago - out the grange castle/clondalkin end i think.

Seth Brundle · 16-02-2026 01:20PM

The issue was predominantly around the old house at the 11th lock allegedly with feral youths and drug dealing. However, the house has been closed up and I think the feral youths have moved elsewhere.

Peeling1979 · 17-02-2026 05:48PM

I’d always wondered if anyone was doing the Royal Canal (Leixlip Confey - Westward) as it seems now to be a great option for a spin at night with good lighting.

Seth Brundle · 17-02-2026 06:11PM

I'm not sure what you mean by "anyone doing" the greenway - loads do it all hours of the day & night - both commuting & leisure cycling. Only a small bit of it is lit (thankfully).

West of Leixlip is mostly bike or pedestrian only but a few sections are shared with vehicular traffic.

07Lapierre · 17-02-2026 06:27PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058432722/where-to-go-cycling-at-night-northside-of-dublin-or-nearby

In My experience, cars speed 24/7 on all roads. the Road around Swords are usually a bit quieter at night but i find that as long as you have good & bright lights, drivers do tend to give you more space. I find i get less close passes at night compared to daylight hours. For reference my rear light is a Garmin Varia and I also use a Hope District rear light. Note: you also need a good front light (Garmin Varia UT800 or similar) as you need to see the road surface ahead of you.

ARX · 20-02-2026 01:23PM

Howth?

De Bhál · 20-02-2026 03:36PM

If close to the Phoenix Park and it's just for training purposes I would just go up and down Chesterfield Avenue. Boring as hell, but, very safe, ~3km in length between the roundabouts and not a bad pull going north.

I've gone out for spins at night around North County Dublin, out by the airport, up towards Ballyboughal, Oldtown, home by the Coolquay. A road with a hard shoulder is a must really I found.

Having someone with you on the cycle is good also for a few different reasons.

Where to go cycling at night, northside of Dublin or nearby

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