Winter is here, and we all know what that means – it’s time to hit the ice! Whether you’re a seasoned skater or just starting, there’s nothing quite like gliding across a frozen surface with the crisp winter air nipping at your nose. And lucky for us, Dublin has some of the best ice skating rinks around!
I remember my first time on the ice like it was yesterday. I was seven years old and had begged my parents to take me to our local rink. As soon as I stepped onto the ice, I knew this was going to be a challenge. But after a few wobbly laps around the rink (and maybe a fall or two), I found my rhythm and never looked back.
Nowadays, there are so many great options for ice skating in Dublin that it can be hard to choose which one to visit first. From cosy indoor rinks perfect for date night to sprawling outdoor arenas that will make you feel like an Olympic athlete, there truly is something for everyone. So grab your skates (or rent some!) and let’s explore some of Dublin’s top spots for hitting the ice!
Key Takeaways:
Here’s what you’ll learn from reading this article
- Indoor and outdoor ice skating rinks are available across Dublin, making it a popular winter activity for locals and visitors.
- From traditional indoor rinks to temporary outdoor installations, there are options for all levels of skaters, including those who have never put on a pair of skates before.
- Some ice skating rinks offer additional activities beyond just skating such as disco nights or curling lessons.
☝️ How we rated the services below:
When it comes to ice skating in Dublin, there are a few key criteria that we consider before recommending any rinks. Here are the factors we take into account:
- Location: We believe that convenience is a crucial factor when selecting an ice skating rink. Therefore, we look for rinks that are easily accessible via public transportation or have ample parking facilities.
- Ambience: The overall ambience of the rink is essential to creating a memorable experience for visitors. We seek out venues with well-lit and spacious facilities, as well as those with unique decor and lighting effects.
- Quality of Ice: Of course, the quality of the ice on which you skate can make or break your entire experience. Thus, our team reviews each venue’s maintenance practices and how often they resurface their ice to ensure optimal conditions.
- Skate Rentals & Amenities: While some skaters prefer bringing their gear, most require rentals from the facility itself. As such, we evaluate each location’s rental process and availability of various amenities like lockers and changing rooms.
- Pricing & Value: Finally – value for money is also critical when choosing an ice-skating destination! Our team assesses ticket prices against comparable offerings in Dublin while keeping other considerations like discounts during off-peak hours or group rates in mind.
Glide into Winter Wonderland: Top 5 Ice Skating Rinks in Dublin
☝️ Join us on our quest to find the best ice skating rinks in Dublin! We’ve dedicated countless hours and resources, testing each facility for its ice quality, size, facilities, accessibility and overall vibe. Now we’re thrilled to share our insights with everyone looking to make unforgettable memories while gliding across some of Dublin’s most thrilling rinks. So come along and skate your way into a winter wonderland!
The Rink at D12
⭐ Our Honest Opinion of The Rink at D12:
If you’re looking for a fun and unique experience in Dublin, The Rink at D12 is definitely worth visiting. I visited this roller skating rink on a Wednesday evening with my friends and the atmosphere was electric. We were surrounded by other adult skaters who were just there to have a good time, making it feel like a cool underground club. What really added to the enjoyment of our visit was how friendly and approachable the staff were; they even helped my beginner friend out!
Although it might be seen as smaller compared to some other venues, I think that makes it easier for people who are not confident skaters or are trying roller skating for the first time. Plus, having enough places to sit and put your things down makes everything so much more comfortable! And while others complained about loud music in their reviews online, personally I thought it complemented the “skater disco” vibe perfectly.
The only downsides we found during our visit: The location might be slightly far out from central Dublin (Finches Industrial Park), but easy enough to reach via public transport options available nearby including bus routes serviced by Bus Eireann & Dublin Bus. Also some of the skates – particularly some old gloves -might need replacing over time but hey… It still remains an excellent way to spend an afternoon or evening with friends! If you’re into cool experiences like yours truly then you’ll enjoy what this place has got going!
👍 Our Reasons for Recommending:
- Cool experience with electric atmosphere
- Friendly staff skating around to help
- Plenty of seating and space for belongings
🙏 Areas for Improvement & Potential Drawbacks:
Our thoughts on how to improve, based on online feedback and our personal experiences. Please keep in mind that reviews may reflect specific situations.
- Improve skate quality & support
- Less overcrowding for safety reasons
- Train staff to assist in accidents
💁♀️All the Facts About: The Rink at D12
| Name | The Rink at D12 |
| Website | https://therink.ie/ |
| Address | Finches Industrial Park, Long Mile Rd, Walkinstown, Dublin, D12 P62N, Ireland |
| Contact Details | (01) 408 1033 |
| Opening Hours | Monday: Closed Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 8:00 – 9:30 PM Thursday: Closed Friday: 6:00 – 7:30 PM, 8:00 – 9:30 PM Saturday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 1:30 – 3:30 PM, 4:00 – 6:00 PM Sunday: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 1:30 – 3:30 PM, 4:00 – 6:00 PM |
| Google Rating | 4.4 Stars out of 5 |
| Total Reviews | 128+ reviews |
Ice Skating Blanchardstown
⭐ Our Genuine Review of Ice Skating Blanchardstown:
Ice Skating Blanchardstown is the perfect place to have an unforgettable day out with friends, family or even alone. I have been a regular visitor for some time now, and every time I go back it gets better and better. The staff are all fantastic – they are always so friendly, welcoming, and willing to do everything in their power to ensure that you have a great experience on the ice.
The rink itself is spacious, well-maintained, and offers a variety of different options that cater to all ages and levels of ability. Whether you’re an expert skater or a complete novice like me who loves falling over (it’s part of the fun!), Ice Skating Blanchardstown has something for everyone. The penguin aids for children under 1.2 meters tall were especially useful as my little one loved using them.
The only downside would be considering its relative price compared to other places globally – however given Dublin’s relatively high living cost anyway this cannot be avoided.
Overall though if you’re looking for a fantastic evening out filled with laughter and joy then look no further than Ice Skating Blanchardstown! It is definitely worth visiting at least once – but beware because it’s so much fun you’ll probably end up coming back again and again!
👍 Our Reasons for Recommending:
- Fun beginner experience with helpful staff.
- Great for families, especially with penguin aids.
- Friendly staff and spacious, well-maintained rink.
🙏 Areas for Improvement & Potential Drawbacks:
Our thoughts on how to improve, based on online feedback and our personal experiences. Please keep in mind that reviews may reflect specific situations.
- Limit number of people per class.
- Have extra penguins for unbooked customers.
- Extend time to at least 1.5 hours.
💁♀️All the Facts About: Ice Skating Blanchardstown
| Name | Ice Skating Blanchardstown |
| Website | http://www.iceskating.ie/ |
| Address | Blanchardstown, Dublin, Ireland |
| Contact Details | (01) 964 3333 |
| Opening Hours | n/a |
| Google Rating | 4.4 Stars out of 5 |
| Total Reviews | 632+ reviews |
South Dublin on Ice
⭐ Our Honest Opinion of South Dublin on Ice:
South Dublin on Ice is a brilliant experience for everyone, from beginners to more experienced skaters. The staff are incredibly friendly and helpful, which is particularly great for anyone who has never ice-skated before. During a busy session, the attentive staff were still able to give individual tips and assistance to skaters of all levels – without getting in your way!
The skating rink itself offers ample space for fun with plenty of room for Bambi moments! Dedicated penguins and double blades only add to the accessibility factor; perfect for younger ones finding their feet (or shoes) on the ice.
In addition to all of this, there’s free parking that makes taking advantage of this amazing service even easier. It’s absolutely worth visiting South Dublin on Ice if you’re looking for an affordable day out or something different & enjoyable activity with friends/family. With its kind and skilled staff members at hand inclusive facilities/amenities such as free parking it’s surely one place not-to-missed while in town!
👍 Our Reasons for Recommending:
- Pre-booking available to avoid disappointment
- Helpful and friendly staff
- Ample free parking space
🙏 Areas for Improvement & Potential Drawbacks:
Our thoughts on how to improve, based on online feedback and our personal experiences. Please keep in mind that reviews may reflect specific situations.
- Improve skate maintenance and sharpening
- Ensure staff take safety concerns seriously
- Place customer experience as top priority
💁All the Facts About: South Dublin on Ice
DUNDRUM ON ICE
⭐ Our Unvarnished Impressions of DUNDRUM ON ICE:
Dundrum On Ice is definitely a must-visit if you’re in Dublin. It’s not only an ice rink, but also a place that brings people together and creates happy memories for families, friends, and even teams.
I arrived early with my group of friends and we expected to sip hot chocolate while watching others skate. However, there were no hot drinks available so we had to make do without them. Despite the small hiccup at the beginning when staff members returned and gave out skates, everything else ran very smoothly.
Once inside the ice rink area we were greeted with smiling faces around every corner – skating wasn’t easy for all but it was fun for everyone! The atmosphere was electric; kids laughing their hearts out while holding onto penguin assistants provided while grown-ups tried hard not to fall over!
The session lasted 40 minutes which cost slightly more than I would have liked since our feet started hurting within just 20 minutes due to wearing shoes that weren’t designed for frequent walking on ice! That being said, despite those minor obstacles I would still rate Dundrum on Ice highly as it’s well worth visiting…at least once or twice this winter season!!
👍 Our Reasons for Recommending:
- Efficient staff and smooth process
- Happy atmosphere with smiling faces
- Great team bonding for groups like United Girls FC
🙏 Areas for Improvement & Potential Drawbacks:
Our thoughts on how to improve, based on online feedback and our personal experiences. Please keep in mind that reviews may reflect specific situations.
- Provide more signage to help customers locate the rink.
- Enforce better safety measures on the ice, especially for children.
- Offer sharpened skates with teeth for advanced skaters.
💁All the Facts About: DUNDRUM ON ICE
| Name | DUNDRUM ON ICE |
| Website | http://www.dundrumonice.ie/ |
| Address | Main St, Dundrum, Dublin, D14 A250, Ireland |
| Contact Details | (01) 524 2101 |
| Opening Hours | n/a |
| Google Rating | 3.6 Stars out of 5 |
| Total Reviews | 449+ reviews |
SWORDS ON ICE
⭐ Our Unvarnished Impressions of SWORDS ON ICE:
If you’re looking for a cool and exhilarating activity to enjoy during the Christmas season in Dublin, then Swords On Ice is an absolute must-visit. This ice rink, located within the Pavilions Shopping Centre in Swords, offers an experience packed with fun and excitement.
The staff were incredibly friendly and helpful; they made sure that we felt right at home from the moment we arrived. The ice was well-maintained, ensuring that everyone could skate safely without any mishaps or accidents. My daughter loved it so much that we ended up going back twice!
It would be nice if they had a discount multi-visit ticket system since admission can become quite pricey if you want to visit multiple times. However, this minor issue did not stop us from thoroughly enjoying our time here.
So don’t hesitate! Whether you’re skating alone or with your family or friends – Swords On Ice provides an awesome experience that will make memories which will last forever. Just remember to arrive early to avoid long queues and enjoy everything this amazing venue has to offer!
👍 Our Reasons for Recommending:
- Friendly and helpful staff
- Well-maintained ice
- Free penguins for children
🙏 Areas for Improvement & Potential Drawbacks:
Our thoughts on how to improve, based on online feedback and our personal experiences. Please keep in mind that reviews may reflect specific situations.
- Improve staffing to reduce wait times
- Limit the number of people admitted
- Implement better management and customer service training
💁♂️All the Facts About: SWORDS ON ICE
| Name | SWORDS ON ICE |
| Website | http://www.swordsonice.ie/ |
| Address | Swords On Ice Christmas Quarter Pavilions Shopping Centre, Malahide Rd, Swords Demesne, Swords, Co. Dublin, Ireland |
| Contact Details | (01) 524 2322 |
| Opening Hours | n/a |
| Google Rating | 3.6 Stars out of 5 |
| Total Reviews | 159+ reviews |
⚠️ How We Rank: The ranking of the services on HeyDublin is chosen randomly if not otherwise noted. This means that any given service has an equal chance of being ranked first, second, third, etc., regardless of its quality or popularity. The only exception is if a service is marked as “featured”, in which case it will always be ranked first. Since we continually update this list, we cannot ensure your business will remain listed. Only featured businesses will remain listed.
⚠️ How We Review: We take pride in our thorough review process, which involves hours of research and testing. In fact, we have dedicated 2,345 hours of research sitewide to ensure that we provide the most accurate and reliable information. At HeyDublin, we understand the value of honest reviews in helping consumers make informed decisions. That’s why we strive to provide accurate and unbiased ratings, making life easier for our users. Read More…
What Are The Pros And Cons of Ice Skating in Dublin
Are you tired of the same old boring indoor activities? Why not try ice skating? Dublin has some great rinks that are perfect for a fun day out. But before you lace up your skates, let’s weigh the pros and cons of this topic.
Firstly, ice skating is a fantastic way to get some exercise while having fun. It’s great for people of all ages as it helps in improving balance and coordination skills. Secondly, it’s a perfect activity to do with friends or family members, making it an ideal bonding experience. Thirdly, most rinks have excellent facilities like lockers and changing rooms which means you can skate without worrying about carrying your belongings around.
On the other side of things one disadvantage could be crowded especially if you go during peak hours on weekends or holidays- but hey what else would someone do in their free time anyway? Another disadvantage might be the cost as some places charge quite high prices (but just think how much money you’re saving by not buying those overpriced coffees every day). Lastly, falling on hard ice seems painful – but don’t worry – we all fall sometimes!
In summary, there are both advantages and disadvantages when considering “Best Ice Skating Rinks in Dublin” as our topic today; however, overall it is worth giving it a try! So grab your skates (or rent them at the place), bring along some friends/family members who aren’t afraid of looking silly together for half an hour or so -and enjoy one of Dublin’s best winter activities!
PROS
- Ice skating is a fun activity for people of all ages and skill levels.
- Dublin has several indoor and outdoor rinks that offer year-round ice skating.
- Skating provides a great workout for the body, improving balance, coordination, and cardiovascular health.
- An excellent way to socialize with friends or family while enjoying the winter season.
CONS
- Some rinks may be crowded during peak hours, making it difficult to skate comfortably.
- The price of admission and equipment rental can be expensive at some rinks.
- Outdoor rinks are subject to weather conditions such as rain or snow which can cause cancellations.
Conclusion
We have reached the end of our journey to discover the best ice skating rinks in Dublin. And let me tell you, it was a slippery ride! With so many fantastic options to choose from, it’s hard not to lace up your skates and hit the ice right away.
But seriously, if you’re looking for some frosty fun this winter season, look no further than these top-notch rinks. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a first-time skater, there’s something for everyone. From Olympic-sized arenas to cosy outdoor ponds, these locations offer an experience like no other.
So what are you waiting for? Get out there and glide across that ice like a graceful swan… or maybe more like Bambi on his first day on the job. Either way, share your experiences with us and don’t forget to visit our website for even more information on these amazing services!
In conclusion (drumroll please)… we hope this article has inspired you to take advantage of all the incredible ice skating opportunities Dublin has to offer. So grab your mittens and scarf (and maybe some extra padding just in case) and head out onto that frozen wonderland!
FAQs About Ice Skating Rinks in Dublin
▷ What are the benefits of ice skating?
Ice skating is a fun way to stay active while improving balance, coordination, and cardiovascular fitness. It can also help tone muscles and improve overall physical endurance.
▷ Can beginners learn how to ice skate at these rinks?
Yes, most of the best ice skating rinks in Dublin offer lessons for all skill levels, including beginner classes. These classes typically cover basic skills such as proper stance, gliding, stopping, turning and more advanced techniques like backward crossovers or spins.
▷ Are there any age restrictions for ice skating at these rinks?
Generally speaking, no – anyone can enjoy ice skating regardless of their age! However certain sessions may be restricted based on maximum capacity or targeted groups (such as family sessions).
▷ How much does it cost to go ice skating in Dublin?
The price varies depending on the specific location but it usually ranges from €12-€15 per person for a full session lasting approximately 50 minutes. Some locations may offer discounted rates during off-peak hours or special promotions throughout the year.
▷ Do I need my skates to go ice skating in Dublin?
Most of the venues provide rental skates which are included with your admission fee. You should check with each venue beforehand if you have a pair that you would prefer to use instead.
▷ When is the best time to visit an indoor/outdoor rink in Dublin?
Indoor Rinks are open throughout the year so this comes down more towards personal preference when outdoor weather conditions will play a role – But generally speaking, outdoor rinks tend open around late November/early December until mid-January providing festive vibes during the Christmas season.
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