Hotfoot round history

It may be a reflection on the state of Dublin's traffic, but tourists are increasingly taking to their feet to view the city, recently rated the fifth most visited in Europe. Walking tours have surged in popularity this year with six added since the end of May.

Even Dublin residents are joining the visitors on one of the many diverse tours on offer - and as the tourist numbers drop off at the end of summer, still more natives may be tempted to take a new look at the city. History is a well represented tour subject, but some of the more imaginative guides combine facts with humour, literature, music, mystery, audience participation or a pint of stout. The renewed interest in all things Irish, especially history, may be a factor in the walking tour boom according to Johnny Connolly, founder of the Historical Walking Tour of Dublin.

"The interest in Irish history is very affected by the history of the conflict in Ireland, visitors are trying to realise what's been going on here," says Connolly, whose tour is the oldest walking tour of Dublin.

The surge also reflects the general increase in tourism, he says. "Bus tours have also bloomed, but with walking tours people are quite comfortable. It's a way to meet local people and engage with those who live in the city." It seems there's no substitute for the gift of the gab. "A big part of what we're about is communicating with visitors, it's a personal touch," Connolly adds.

The following is a selective list from the 15 walking tours approved by Dublin Tourism, including a few new ones.

In the autumn, most operators scale back their tours so it's essential to call and book in advance.

Audio Walking Tour of Dublin

New this year, self-guided; phone 01- 670 5266

Meeting place: 7-9 Aston Quay (Aston Hotel). Bookings taken here or at Dublin Tourism Centre, Suffolk Street

Duration: At your own pace, but takes a minimum of 3-4 hours.

Start time and when available: Rentals available from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., seven days a week. Cost:

£6£8 plus £25 refundable deposit

Suitable for: Fit people with free time. Ideal for those alone, looking for exercise and an overview of Dublin's sites. Tapes also in English, German, Italian, French, Spanish and Japanese. Material provided: Cassette player with tape in language of choice, headphones, waist pack, map, brochure.

Summary of route: Ha'Penny Bridge, O'Connell Bridge, Trinity College, Bank of Ireland, Temple Bar, Dublin Castle, Christ Church, St Patrick's Cathedral, St Stephen's Green, Merrion Square.

Highlights:

House of Lords, Temple Bar, Oscar Wilde statue in Merrion Square

Drawbacks: Equipment can act up and it can't answer questions. Educational value: 9/10

Entertainment value: 7/10

Rating: 8/10

Rock Trail

01-6708949, 01-679 5077

Meeting place: Rock Trail Shop, 13 Trinity Street. Bookings taken here only.

Duration: Two hours

Start time and when available: 2.30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 4 p.m. Sunday. Tours will not take place on Sundays after October 1st.

Cost: £5 (includes a pint of Guinness and a copy of Hot Press)

Suitable for: Rock junkies

Summary of route: Hot Press office, Olympia Theatre, Temple Bar, Bewley's, Gaiety Theatre, Old Dandelion Market, O'Donoghue's Pub, Baggot Inn, Windmill Lane Studios, U2 Wall

Highlights: U2 Wall: several walls where thousands declare their undying love for the band with markers, spray paint, murals and tiny notes pushed into wall cracks.

Drawbacks: Stories and rock snippets are interesting, but leave you wanting more detail.

Educational value: For those getting a master's degree in rock'n'roll, it's A+. For others, it's 3/10

Entertainment value: 7/10

Rating:

5/10

Georgian Dublin, from Heart of Dublin on Foot

New; phone Dublin Tourism at 01-6057769

Meeting place:

Dublin Tourism Office. Bookings taken here only.

Duration:

Two hours

Starting time and when available:

11 a.m. Sunday only

Cost:

pounds) 5

Suitable for: History and architecture buffs and those looking for informative entertainment

Summary of route: Old Parliament Building, Trinity, Lord Mayor's House, St Stephen's Green, Baggot Street, Ely Place, Government Buildings, Merrion Square and Park

Highlights: Whimsical anecdotes concerning historical figures and guide's warning about the "friendly Dubliners called pick-pockets".

Educational value: 9/10 for professional guide's vast historical and architectural knowledge and storytelling skills.

Entertainment value:

9/10

Rating:

9/10

Footsoldiers Revolutionary Dublin 1916-1923

Phone 01-662 9976

Meeting place: Fusilier's Arch, St Stephen's Green (top of Grafton Street)

Duration: Two hours

Start time and when available: 2.30 p.m., every day except Tuesday

Cost:

£5/ £4 seniors and students

Suitable for:

History buffs and rebels

Summary of route: St Stephen's Green, Trinity College, General Post Office, Liffey Street, 5 Crow Street, Dublin Castle

Highlights: Description of military tactics, or lack of, employed by rebels during the Easter Rising.

Educational value:

9/10

Entertainment value:

3/10

Rating:

6/10

Walk Macabre

New; 01-605 7769 (Dublin Tourism), or 087 245 6542

Meeting place: Main gate of St Stephen's Green. Must be booked in advance through Dublin Tourism.

Duration: 11/2 hours

Start time and when available:

7.30 p.m., every day. Also, shorter walk - Tales of the Macabre - from Dublin Writers' Museum, 18 Parnell Square, 1.15 p.m. to 2 p.m. every day from September 14th27th, October 26th-November 8th (£4/ £3 concession)

Cost:

£6/ £5 with leaflet

Suitable for: Sadists, psychos and punters with strong stomachs

Summary of route: Around St Stephen's Green, Hume Street and Merrion Square, ending for a drink at the Mont Clare Hotel.

Highlights: Gory details and reconstructions of infamous Dublin murders. Tour includes performances and readings from Bram Stoker, Sheridan Le Fanu, W.B. Yeats, James Joyce and Oscar Wilde.

Educational value: 6/10

Entertainment value: 8/10

Rating:

7/10 for concept, but execution still needs some polishing.

Zozimus

New; 01-605 7769 (Dublin Tourism), 01-661 8646, 087 222 9992

Meeting place:

Dublin Castle's pedestrian entrance, opposite the Olympia. Pre-booking is essential.

Duration: 11/4 hours

Start time and when available: 9 p.m., daily , but changes according to time of sunset. Call in advance.

Cost:

£6/ £5 with leaflet or a group

Suitable for: Groups and individuals willing to subject themselves to the wrath of Zozimus and his acquaintances. This involves being made fun of, frightened, bossed around, and amused by a strangely-attired cast with a wicked sense of humour.

Summary of route: Dublin Castle, Forty Steps, Swift Alley, Dame Street, Cork Hill, Temple Bar, Christchurch Alley, St Audeon's Church, finishing with a drink in a Dame Street pub.

Highlights: Willing audience participation in all the surprises orchestrated by such characters as Zozimus, a blind and ageing storyteller and Major Sirr, the cruel man in charge of Dublin Castle during the 1800s. Educational value: 9/10 for learning the history that is not in history books.

Entertainment value: 10/10

Rating:

91/2/10 for combining thrills and spills with the most bizarre aspects of medieval Dublin.

Historical Walking Tour of Dublin

01-878 0227

Meeting place: Trinity College front gate. Advance bookings taken at 64 Mary Street.

Duration: Two hours

Start time and when available: 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 3 p.m. every day, May-Sept. 12 p.m. only, Fri-Sun from October-April.

Cost: £5

Suitable for: Eternal students, history aficionados, and anyone looking for history with humour.

Summary of route: Trinity College, Old Parliament House, Temple Bar, City Hall, Dublin Castle, Wood Quay, Christ Church Cathedral, Four Courts

Highlights: Talk on Brehon Laws, which allowed a woman to divorce a man for seven reasons, two of which were "bad breath and bad performance", and details of the Celtic brand of Christianity. Educational value: 10/10

Entertainment value: 10/10

Rating:

10/10 for guide Peter's outstanding blend of history and humour. After 10 years, the original Dublin walking tour is still the best on offer.