Ireland
Great Videos and Photos of the Best Places and Things to see in Dublin Bay Ireland. For the independent traveller who is interested in seeing places while planning their next trip. Or for anyone who likes to be close to nature and see the quieter parts of the country or city
Dublin Bay
Dublin Bay is extensive and stretches from the south city right across to the far north city and Howth. While it is easy to cycle from Sandymount across to the cliffs at Redrock in Sutton and on the way pass one of the world's largest city bird reserves, walkers should take a local dart train to one of the many intermediate stops. If the weather is fine take a stroll along the beach in Dollymount or through the park in St. Anne's.
Clontarf
Clontarf
The Clontarf waterfront stretches from the railway bridge near Fairview Park to beyond the wooden bridge linking Bull Island to the mainland. The area is popular with walkers and cyclists on fine sunny days or over the week ends throughout the year. There is a sailing club just across the road from the waterfront towards the wooden bridge end.
Bull Island
Clontarf
The Bull Island was formed over time after the Bull wall was built 1820s to help stop the River Liffey silting up. In the half century following, the River Liffey entrance was deepened by the tides by about 2 metres and the sands and deposits were deposited on the east side of the wall thus forming the island.
Captain William Bligh, of Bounty fame, in 1801 made a survey of Dublin Bay and identified the location for the wall. Dollymount beach runs for about 5km along the seaside of the island. The near shore side has a golf course and a nature reserve.
In the Sand Dunes
Clontarf
Bird Reserve
Clontarf
The Bull Island has been a nature reserve since 1982 and subsequently been designated a UNESCO Biosphere. Many species of birds, such as Brent Geese, Grey Plovers, Shovellers over winter in the reserve, while Terns travel thousands of miles to nest in the sand.
Dollymount Beach
Clontarf
Dollymount Beach on warm summer days is popular with families who come from all over the city to enjoy a day at the seaside. The beach is also popular with kite and wind surfers.
The Wooden Bridge
Clontarf
Raheny Kilbarrack
After passing through Clontarf, heading east, Raheny and St. Anne's Park is on the left side and Kilbarrack Estuary is on the seaside.
St. Anne's Park
Raheny Kilbarrack
St. Anne's now a public park was formerly owned by the Guinness Family. Sir Arthur Edward Guinness, inherited the estate in 1868 and set about expanding and developing it. He is responsible for planting the evergreen oaks (Holm Oaks ) which now surround the park. The estate was inherited by Bishop Plunkett (1923) after the Lord and Lady Ardlaun Guinness died childless. The mansion house was gutted in a fire in 1942 while under the care of the Civil Defence Forces.
Kilbarrack
Raheny Kilbarrack
The waterfront along Clontarf and out beyond Raheny and Kilbarrack is pedestrianised with an adjacent bicycle lane as far as St. Fintan's School in Sutton. At the Clontarf end there are good views over Dublin Bay and Port. The Car Ferries and Cargo Vessels can be seen throughout the day entering and leaving the River Liffey. Towards the Raheny end there are good views over Bull Island and to Howth Head.
Sutton
Howth Head
Howth Head is joined to the mainland by a narrow isthmus at Sutton. The isthmus can best be seen from the top of the hill.
From Sutton, there is a coastal route that passes along the coast road till it reaches the Martello Tower and from there the route continues alongside the cliffs until it reaches the Howth Head Summit.
There is a small car park along the coast road - about a ten-minute walk from the gate to the cliff walk. The walk from the car park back to Sutton Cross and buses is about fifteen minutes and a further ten to the Dart.
Sandymount
Sandymount is a residential area with a long pedestrianised sea front about 3km from Dublin City.
Sandymount
Sandymount
Sandymount beach and pedestrian walkway are easily accessible from the city by Dart - both Sandymount and Sydney Parade stations are a short walk from the beach. The beach is very tidal and drains out for a long distance during low tide. Care must be taken not to be stranded on the sands during the rising tides.