Ireland day 1167. Sunday 08 December 2024- Clontarf Raheny

Ireland day 1167. Sunday 08 December 2024- Clontarf Raheny
Today’s summary Both of us were feeling a bit better this morning with colds and surgeries definitely on the mend. I joined the Walking Club for a stroll along the coast from Clontarf to Raheny, while Val went into Dublin again to do some more Christmas shopping. Back in the flat now and considering going out for dinner tonight.
Today’s weather Cold bright and sunny, much calmer than the last 48 hours. Moderate northerly wind, strong on the coast. Appx 7c
Today’s overview location
(The grey mark shows the location of our route)
Close-up location
(The red line shows where we walked)
(Click button below to download GPX of today’s walk as recorded, or see interactive map at bottom with elevations corrected):
Clontarf to Raheny DWC
Commentary

We both went to bed last night feeling a bit low. Our colds were streaming and our various surgical interventions hurting. Anyway, after a couple of paracetamols and a good night’s sleep, we woke up this morning feeling considerably better. Hooray; let’s hope it lasts.

Once we had had tea and breakfast, I headed off to join the Walking Club while Val decided to go back into Dublin to do some more Christmas shopping. She’s a glutton for punishment.

The Club walk was from Clontarf to Raheny and despite not starting until 12 noon, I still managed to get there late. Though in my defence I caught a no. 42 bus which should have seen me arrive in plenty of time but it ended up being 20 minutes late. I should have known better than to expect the bus to be punctual!

Anyway, once I was eventually disgorged in Clontarf, I set out at a fast pace and managed to catch the rest of the group midway along the Clontarf promenade.

Once reunited as a group, we walked the rest of the way down the prom. then over the wooden bridge to Dollymount. Our sandwiches were enjoyed by the café halfway down the causeway, though we didn’t stop for long as the wind was so cold.

After lunch, we finished off the walk to the Réalt na Mara statue where the group went its separate ways. I headed off onto Bull Island while the others, perhaps more sensibly, went to the pub.

From the beach on Bull Island, I walked north as far as the old visitor centre, then back to the mainland via the bridge which joins the onto the coastal road near the corner of St Anne’s Park.

I completed my outing today with a walk up through the Park, and then over to Raheny station (via a coffee-and-scone stop along the way). I was fortunate that a DART came in as soon as I arrived and I seemed to be in the flat in next to no time.

Val was back about an hour after me so all that remains to do now is to have a cup of tea and work out our evening dining arrangements. Right now, the idea of going to one of Malahide’s 29 restaurants for something to eat is leading the pack of possibilities. I have to say it’s seeming more and more attractive by the minute!

Today’s photos (click to enlarge)

Clontarf church, at the start of the walk Bathtime!   Starlings enjoying a refreshing dip in a puddle by the café on the Dollymount causeway
This marker is halfway along to the Réalt na Mara statue – but 5000 ft from where? The Réalt na Mara landmark.   The general consensus is that the statue on the top has recently been repainted.   I don’t know for sure, but it certainly looks a lot darker than I remember
Heading off the Causeway and onto Dollymount Strand for my section of the walk along Bull Island  Trees in St Anne’s Park looking a bit like the famous “Dark Hedges” (but they aren’t)
The beautiful art deco shelters along the Clontarf promenade are slowly crumbling.   It’s a real shame – with a little investment they could be stunning
Interactive map

(Elevations corrected at  GPS Visualizer: Assign DEM elevation data to coordinates )

Total distance: 12071 m
Max elevation: 23 m
Min elevation: 0 m
Total climbing: 133 m
Total descent: -114 m
Total time: 03:01:32
Download file: Clontarf-to-Raheny-DWC-compressed-corrected.gpx

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