Dunsink Observatory is located ~8 km northwest of Dublin City between the Royal Canal, the Navan Road, and the M50, and is a 10 min drive from Dublin Airport. Please note it is strongly recommended you arrive by car or bike- if travelling by bus or train there is a ~3 km walk up Dunsink Lane. Also make sure to enter Dunsink Lane from the Navan Road side (it is blocked on the Finglas/Ratoath Road side).
Car: Dunsink Observatory is easily accessible by car off the M50/N3 near the Travelodge Hotel.
Bicycle/Foot: From Dublin City Centre, there are two routes taking about 45 mins:
Royal Canal: Follow the Royal Canal to the M50 Aqueduct at the M50/N3 junction. Cross the old stone foot bridge, Ranelagh Bridge, under the fly-over to the northern side of the canal and continue up Dunsink Lane.
Phoenix Park: From Heuston Station, cycle through the Phoenix Park, out the Castleknock Gate and turn right onto Auburn Avenue. Go straight through the roundabout and Navan Road traffic lights, and continue up Dunsink Lane.
WARNING: Do not cycle along River Road as it is very winding with cars travelling at speed.
Cyclists and pedestrians can access Dunsink Lane by following Dunsink Lane north at the N3/Travelodge or crossing to the northern side of the Royal Canal at the old stone Ranelagh Bridge under the M50/N3 spaghetti junction.
Bus: Bus numbers 38, 38A and 38B, 39, 39A leave from O’Connell Street. Get off at bus stop number 1808 (Navan Road/Peck’s Lane) near the Auburn Avenue/New Dunsink Lane roundabout (Travel Lodge is visible on the right) on the Navan Road, cross over to New Dunsink Lane and follow it for the next ~2.1 km (~25 min) past Elm Green Golf Club.
Train: Take the commuter train line from Dublin Pearse Street/Connolly Stations towards Maynooth, getting off at Navan Road Parkway Station. It is then a ~40 min walk to the Observatory. Cross to the northern platform of the Parkway Station and exit via a small metal gate onto the Royal Canal Greenway. Take a left onto the Greenway and walk for ~1.2 km (~15 min) to the old stone footbridge, Ranelagh Bridge, under at the M50 Aqueduct/under the M50/N3 flyover. Then, follow Dunsink Lane for the next ~2.1 km (~25 min) past Elm Green Golf Club.
Latest News
Read all about the new Astronomical Observatories of Ireland partnership here.
Tickets for our Race to Space Escape Room are now available! Book here.
School Visits
If you are a school teacher who would like to bring a class group to the observatory, please fill in your details here and we will get in touch with you at arrange.
Getting to Dunsink Observatory
Dunsink Observatory is located ~8 km northwest of Dublin City between the Royal Canal, the Navan Road, and the M50, and is a 10 min drive from Dublin Airport. Please note it is strongly recommended you arrive by car or bike- if travelling by bus or train there is a ~3 km walk up Dunsink Lane. Also make sure to enter Dunsink Lane from the Navan Road side (it is blocked on the Finglas/Ratoath Road side).
Address: DIAS Dunsink Observatory, Dunsink Lane, Castleknock, Dublin D15 XR2R, Ireland.
Email: dunsink@dias.ie
GPS: +53° 23′ 12.30″, -6° 20′ 10.40″
Get directions using Google Maps.
Car: Dunsink Observatory is easily accessible by car off the M50/N3 near the Travelodge Hotel.
Bicycle/Foot: From Dublin City Centre, there are two routes taking about 45 mins:
Bus: Bus numbers 38, 38A and 38B, 39, 39A leave from O’Connell Street. Get off at bus stop number 1808 (Navan Road/Peck’s Lane) near the Auburn Avenue/New Dunsink Lane roundabout (Travel Lodge is visible on the right) on the Navan Road, cross over to New Dunsink Lane and follow it for the next ~2.1 km (~25 min) past Elm Green Golf Club.
Train: Take the commuter train line from Dublin Pearse Street/Connolly Stations towards Maynooth, getting off at Navan Road Parkway Station. It is then a ~40 min walk to the Observatory. Cross to the northern platform of the Parkway Station and exit via a small metal gate onto the Royal Canal Greenway. Take a left onto the Greenway and walk for ~1.2 km (~15 min) to the old stone footbridge, Ranelagh Bridge, under at the M50 Aqueduct/under the M50/N3 flyover. Then, follow Dunsink Lane for the next ~2.1 km (~25 min) past Elm Green Golf Club.
Latest News
Read all about the new Astronomical Observatories of Ireland partnership here.
Events
Check out our upcoming events at dunsink.dias.ie/events.
Tickets for our Race to Space Escape Room are now available! Book here.
School Visits
If you are a school teacher who would like to bring a class group to the observatory, please fill in your details here and we will get in touch with you at arrange.
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