Seeing the city from land and sea

AN exciting new tour has been launched in Dublin that takes in the best of the city from both land and water.

On a fantastically beautiful early summer’s day we were given the opportunity to see what this unique tour had to offer and with the sun shining out of a clear blue sky we could have been forgiven for thinking we were on a Mediterranean cruise.

First we joined the group at Dublin Bus headquarters on O’Connell Street where we given an outline of this brand new attraction that will appeal to locals and tourists.

The occasion was to launch the Dublin Bay Cruises’ daily route that will link the city with Howth and Dun Laoghaire harbours with the

‘Dublin – Land & Sea Ticket’.

A combined initiative between Dublin Bus, Dublin Bay Cruises, Dublin Sightseeing, and the Little Museum of Dublin, the ticket is designed to allow easy and cheaper access between the attractions.

Now, for the first time, locals and visitors from further afield can tour the capital by land and sea with the one ticket.

The award winning Dublin Bus Hop on Hop off tour takes in a visit to the Little Museum of Dublin and the 75-minute cruise around the bay for just

?¬30.

After a whistle stop tour of the city that brought us along O’Connell Street and across to the Southside we stopped off at the quirky yet fascinating little Museum of Dublin on St Stephen’s Green.

There, the animated and knowledgeable guides gave us a quick run through of the recent history of the city.

The museum may be little but it is absolutely packed with fascinating exhibits including the lectern that US President JFK used to speak from when he addressed the Dail during his visit to Dublin in June 1963.

Then it was back on board for a run down to the docks where we hopped on the MV St Bridget for a cruise out into the bay.

On a classically beautiful Dublin day we watched as the Lord Mayor of Dublin and Honorary Admiral of Dublin Port, Cllr Oisín Quinn, performed the annual

‘Casting of the Spear ceremony, a Dublin Port tradition dating back 526 years.

The Casting of the Spear dates back to 1488 when the then Lord Mayor, Thomas Mayler, set out on his horse to ride the city’s boundaries.

Historical records show that he rode out onto the strand as far as a man could and from there cast a spear into the sea.

At that time, casting the spear demonstrated the extent of the city boundaries eastwards.

The ceremony marks just one of the many famous moments in Dublin Port’s long and remarkable history since its establishment as a trading post some 1,200 years ago.

Speaking at the ceremony on board the MV St Bridget, Lucy McCaffrey, Chairperson of Dublin Port Company, said:

“This year’s Casting of the Spear ceremony was particularly memorable, marking a celebration of traditions old and new.

“While Dublin Port Company brought to life its medieval tradition of the Lord Mayor casting a spear into Dublin Bay, we welcomed a new initiative from Dublin Bay Cruises and Dublin Sightseeing which will further animate the River Liffey and Dublin Bay for Dubliners and visitors alike.

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Dublin’s MEP Emer Costello described the

‘Dublin – Land & Sea ticket’ as a super initiative.

“This new combi-ticket will allow Dubliners and visitors appreciate the city, both past and present from land and sea,

? she said.

“Dublin is a great city and it’s no wonder that CSO figures show that visitors to Ireland are already up 7.3 per cent in the past three months.

“Initiatives like the

‘Dublin – Land & Sea ticket’, are important not just for showcasing the best our city has to offer, but also in highlighting the value for money which exists.

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Ms Costello added:

“As part of the launch, I was especially delighted to join Lord Mayor Oisin Quinn for the casting of the spear, a tradition in Dublin Port dating back 500 years, which I was fortunate enough to do myself when Lord Mayor.

?