The other day I decided to try as many of the modes of public transport available to me in Dublin.
Leaving Elly & George’s house, I hopped on the local bus to town (Dublin), alighting at Heuston Train Station. From there I jumped on a Luas tram to Connolly Train Station, where I boarded the Dublin Area Rapid Transit (DART), that runs from Howth & Malahide on the north of Dublin bay right to Bray and on under Bray Head to Greystones in Co Wicklow.
I chose the southerly direction and a destination of Greystones. It has been over almost half a century. since I visited Greystones, back then it was a very sleepy village.
Plenty of overhead cables at this end of the street
Although expansion has taken place in Greystones and the arrival of the ‘Dart’, turned it into a commuter town.
The other end of the street. Note the difference when the cables are underground
The place still holds on the village feeling with a wonderful selection of interesting restaurants and well looked after shops and boutiques.
Mrs Robinsons Restaurant
- Mrs Robinson believes in looking after her outdoor customers.
I ambled my way about the streets and sat for a coffee at the Happy Pear It was busy, but welcoming and the coffee was good. I sat outside and ‘people watched’.
I found this small strand from the road, but it was a long climb down
Then it was time to seek out the beach of soft coarse sand.
Soft sand, but no bright sun so far today
The sky was clearing and the sun appearing…
I see the sea!
When I had my fill, I worked my way back to the Dart Station, to head back towards town. Realising that I had never travelled all the way round Dublin Bay in one go, I got my ticket to take me to Howth.
End of the line at Howth Dart Station
Howth was really the end of the line. I have been to Howth on many occasions, so did not dally this time.
I took the Dart back to Connelly Station, from there the Luas to Heuston Station and this time a train from Heuston to Adamstown.
The fresh sea air, had sharpened my appitite and the aroma of good cooking was very welcome smell. Elly & George produced aperitifs and nibbles to snack on, as I shared my adventure and we waited for dinner.
So I was on a bus, tram, Dart and train, now that leaves boats and planes for another day!
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- Plenty of overhead cables at this end of the street
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- The other end of the street. Note the difference when the cables are underground
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- Mrs Robinson believes in looking after her outdoor customers.
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- I found this small strand from the road, but it was a long climb down
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- Soft sand, but no bright sun so far today
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- I see the sea!
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- End of the line at Howth Dart Station
Sounds like a lovely day! I haven’t been to Greystones in a while… it’s such a lovely village.
The Happy Pear is a great spot to sit outside for lunch.
I love trains, and I love the DART. Haven’t been on the DART in ages. I’ll need to take an adventure somewhere outside Dublin next time I get a chance to head up that way.
It’s still one of my life goals to be in the front of the DART while it’s been driven. Still determined. 🙂
Phil, I am drafting another post about another day out, watch out for it. It might give you ideas!
You had a wonderful time. Nice photos!
gigi, my holiday is still ongoing, at this rate….. I may never go home! 😉
That looks like a nice walk along the strand and up the coast. A shame it was too much of a climb to get down there.
I’m surprised there were so few people on the beaches on such a glorious day. Don’t tell me they were sitting at home watching the telly….
Nick, Half the population of Dublin got off at the penultimate station, Bray. There was an airshow on there that day. The place was so packed that our Dart had to wait for the station platforms to clear of previous trains and passengers, before we could stop to offload most of our passengers.
What a lovely day trip you had. The beach looked so welcoming and fresh. Nice to see it all.
Celia, I had fun. I also talked to some interesting people throughout the day.
I’m not sure I’d remember Greystones if I visited it now!
Oops, my iPad cut me off mid thought… Why the loads of travelling? Did you fall asleep on the DART?
Parts of it have not changed. It has wonderful character about it. The thought “I would like to live here!”, ran through my head several times!
I have a ticket like you Mum & Dad so decided to make really make use of it over a few days.