Dublin City Triathlon

Dublin, Ireland · August · Independent (Piranha Triathlon Club, Triathlon Ireland National Series)

Why people love it

River water quality varies; a 2019 sewage discharge hit the nearby Liffey Swim
Course and distances change by year: bike 20 km (12.4 mi) before, 23 km (14.3 mi) in 2026
Irish weather ranges from damp to blustery; the 2019 race was windy
Few athletes have written about the race, and the 2026 Olympic race is unconfirmed
Dublin hotels are pricey in summer; parking details are unconfirmed

2.9Good

How racers feel about it, how well it is run, and how it treats a first timer. Counts for 30% of the overall score.

Toughness: Tough

Racer satisfactionLoved3.6
Results reports and a 2017 political quote are positive, but no athlete has written a full race report. · Low confidence
OrganizationWell run3.7
The Triathlon Ireland national series round ran with rolling starts and no reported problems, though few athletes have commented. · Low confidence
First timer friendlyDoable3.0
The Olympic race is a national series round aimed at experienced club athletes. · Low confidence

PR potentialAverage3.4
Same closed roads, but longer exposure to the climb. · Low confidence

3.6Very good

Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 16% of the overall score.

Wetsuit legalUsually4.2
Triathlon Ireland follows World Triathlon (no wetsuits above 24.6 °C (76 °F) / 76.3 °F). August river water is almost certainly cooler. · Low confidence
Water temperatureAcceptable3.3
No temperature published. A 2017 racer called it remarkably warm; Irish August rivers are typically 16 to 19 °C (61 to 66 °F). · Low confidence
Calm waterMostly calm4.3
Sheltered upper Liffey, glassy in 2026, with a rolling start to ease congestion. · Low confidence
Swim easeEasy3.9
1,500 m (0.93 mi) in a narrow river. · Low confidence
Swim experienceFine3.1
Urban river beside a rowing club. A 2019 sewage discharge affected the nearby Liffey Swim, though the 2017 race swim was called clean. · Low confidence
Swim supportGood3.7
Rolling start from a rowing-club base; no safety details are published. · Low confidence

4.0Very good

Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 18% of the overall score.

Road surfaceGood3.7
Park roads; no complaints found. · Low confidence
Road closuresFully closed4.5
Park roads have been closed in every report since 2009. · Medium confidence
Bike sceneryBeautiful3.7
Large deer park with parkland views. · Low confidence
WindSome wind3.3
Trees give shelter, but 2019 was blustery. · Low confidence

Bike speedFast3.8
Closed Phoenix Park roads; the 2018 sprint winner rode 20 km (12.4 mi) in 29:41. · Medium confidence
Bike flatnessMostly flat3.5
40 km (25 mi) of repeated park laps, which may include the Kyber Pass. · Low confidence
Bike simplicitySome technical parts3.0
A three-lap circuit with turnarounds, described as technical in 2025. · Medium confidence

2.7Good

Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.

Crowd supportDecent3.3
Laps along Chapelizod Road and the park allow spectators, but no one describes the atmosphere. · Low confidence
Aid stationsStandard3.3
No details published on aid stations. · Low confidence
Run sceneryBeautiful3.5
Park and riverside. · Low confidence
Run conditionsModerate3.4
Multi-lap 10 km (6.2 mi) in cool conditions. · Low confidence

Run flatnessRolling3.4
10 km (6.2 mi) of repeated laps; elevation not published. · Low confidence

3.5Very good

Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 13% of the overall score.

Air temperaturePleasant4.3
Late August in Dublin is typically 12 to 20 °C (54 to 68 °F). · Medium confidence
Weather reliabilityVariable2.9
Damp start in 2018, blustery in 2019, glassy and calm in 2026. · Medium confidence
Venue beautyLovely3.9
Phoenix Park and the Liffey, a large green space in the city. · Medium confidence
Spectator friendlyEasy3.8
Multi-lap bike and run in one park area. · Low confidence

Low altitudeSea level5.0
The park sits about 20 to 90 m (65 to 295 ft) above sea level. · High confidence

4.3Very good

Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 10% of the overall score.

Hotel availabilityGood3.8
Large city; busy in August but plentiful. · Low confidence
Hotel valueNormal2.8
Dublin hotels are pricey, especially in summer. · Low confidence
WalkabilitySome driving3.3
Swim, transition and finish share the Garda Boat Club base; parking is unconfirmed. · Low confidence
Travel easeVery easy4.6
Dublin Airport is about 12 km (7.5 mi) from Phoenix Park, with city buses and trains. · High confidence
LogisticsSimple3.9
Swim, transition, bike and run share one venue, with a rolling start. · Low confidence
Town and foodGreat4.6
Capital city with abundant food and lodging. · Medium confidence

Location: Dublin, Leinster, Ireland
Typical month: August
Latest or next date: 22 August 2026
Organiser: Independent (Piranha Triathlon Club, Triathlon Ireland National Series)
Field size: About 900 athletes
Distances: 1.5 km (0.9 mi) swim, 40 km (24.9 mi) bike, 10 km (6.2 mi) run
Swim venue: Upper River Liffey from the Garda Boat Club, Chapelizod Road (river)
Wetsuit: Legal
Swim start: rolling
Swim laps: 1
Bike laps: 3
Key climbs: Kyber Pass, about 1 km (0.6 mi), used in 2018
Run laps: 3
Run shade: park trees
Air temperature: 12–20 °C (54–68 °F)
Humidity: moderate
Altitude: 30 m (98 ft)
Nearest airport: Dublin (DUB), 12 km (7 mi) away
Where to stay: Stoneybatter, Chapelizod, city centre
Booking: City hotels near Phoenix Park, Heuston and the city centre; Dublin is pricey in summer.

Triathlon Ireland: Dublin City Triathlon 2025 gallery and race reportRaced 2025 · article · Positive
Round 13 of the national series with Sprint, Standard (Olympic), Aquabike, Try-a-Tri and a corporate relay offered. Bike and run described as technical in Phoenix Park; no incidents mentioned.
220 Triathlon: Dublin Tri introduces the Super SprintRaced 2009 · article · Positive
Preview of the 2009 edition: a newcomer-friendly Super Sprint (600 m (1,970 ft) / 0.37 mi, 16 km / 9.9 mi, 4 km / 2.5 mi) and standard Olympic (1,500 m / 0.93 mi, 40 km / 24.9 mi, 10 km / 6.2 mi). Bike on closed Phoenix Park roads, off-road run, upper Liffey swim by rowing clubs.
Irish Times: Liffey Swim to go ahead despite poor water qualityRaced 2019 · article · Negative
Context only: council samples in 2019 after a sewage discharge near Knockmaroon were far above bathing limits on the Liffey Swim reach; the river is not a designated bathing water. A reminder that river quality can vary by year.

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