- The Liffey Voyage shows Dublin from an unusual perspective.
- Classic boat ride through a city straddling the banks of a river.
- The Liffey is tidal - views may be disappointing at times.
- Not too many important attractions can be seen from the boat.
- Cruise on a very flat boat up and down the Liffey and enjoy the (limited) views.
- Unusual views of the Custom House, Ha'penny Bridge and the Four Courts are part of the experience.
- Ultimately the Liffey Voyage might only be suited for die-hard fans of urban boat tours.
At a first glance a boat tour through Dublin sounds like a grand idea - after all the city was defined by and still straddles the Liffey. So "see the attractions from a boat" should be a fun way to get to know Dublin. Unfortunately reality is slightly different.
Problem Number One being the fact that out of Dublin's main attractions not too many are actually on the banks of the Liffey or visible from there. To be blunt only the Custom House, the Four Courts and Christ Church Cathedral are really to be seen. On the other hand you will see a lot of bridges from beneath, including the famous Ha'penny Bridge. This view can be very close or panoramic, depending on the tide. Which brings us to Problem Number Two: The Liffey can actually be very low at times, leading to further restricted views from the very flat boat, down to a strange world of shopping trolleys, traffic cones and bicycles sticking out from the mud.
So, should you avoid the Liffey Voyage?
If you are a fan of urban boat rides and do not mind a limited view, let nothing stop you to join the Liffey Voyage. If on the other hand you are looking for a comprehensive look at Dublin's major sights, do take a bus tour.
