We meet on the first Tuesday of every month, meeting usually at St Philip’s at 1.30pm to car share, or at 2pm at the walk venue. We spend an hour or two walking at a leisurely pace and try to end with refreshments. Please do join us for good company, being in the open air and keeping up some exercise.
Forthcoming Walks:
October, Tuesday 6th: The Metals, Dun Laoghaire: meet 2pm at Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire
November, Tuesday 3rd: Phoenix Park: meet 1.30pm at St Philips Church, Temple Road
December, Tuesday 1st: Herbert Park to Grand Canal Basin: meet 2pm at Herbert Park zebra crossing.
Tuesday 2 June – Sandymount
The location chosen was Sandymount with an emphasis on distant views and exposure to the elements.
There was a good turn out with most of us using the S2 bus, the bus filling with our members as we moved towards our destination, arriving in the attractive Sandymount Green, walking down to Beach Road and across into the Nature Park. The park is an interesting development having been nothing more than a dump until the late 70’s and early 80’s when a combination of local authority and concerned residents in the area created the park as it stands today. The landscaping was carried out by the local council but the planting was a local voluntary effort. The end result has created a magnificent urban space with 5kms of trails and no evidence of its origins as a dump.
We were blessed with mixed weather, rain alternating with strong sunshine and it was possible to see the weather moving towards us and then dispersing. Splendid views across the bay, up into the Dublin Mountains and out to sea. The tide was fully in which enhanced the general aspect. The reserve is gifted with a wide variety of bird life, singing their hearts out in the sunshine. The entomologists among us will be aware of the presence of a very rare beetle in the reserve, called Oedemara Lurida, but it failed to make an appearance. We did however come across a man and his wife from the North of England driving an immaculate Austin 8 dating from 1946 which he was polishing, kept to a standard that would put many of us to shame.
The walk was simple and straightforward. We walked from Beach Road, past the recently decorated Poolbeg Chimneys and ended close to the harbour wall. The more vigorous may have wished to walk on to the Poolbeg Lighthouse but the weather was inimical to further progress. We ambled back to the traditional setting of Ryan’s Bar in Sandymount, cosy and old fashioned in the best way, had a drink and a chat and went on our ways. A most pleasant afternoon. James O’Neill
Tuesday 4 August – Fern Hill
For our August outing, the Sandmill Strollers returned to explore Fernhill Park and Gardens on the Enniskerry Road. The parkland is considerably more extensive than I had previously realised. Fernhill was privately owned by the Darley and Waters families from the 18th century, and is now open to the public and cared for by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council (DLR Heritage).
We were fortunate to enjoy a brief respite from the high temperatures of our long, hot summer. The shade of the biodiverse Fernhill Gardens, meadowland and old broadwalk area was particularly welcome. From there, we followed the short uphill track towards Barnacullia and on to the famous Blue Light, where we stopped for some much-needed refreshment. It was lovely to sit in the sunshine, enjoy a chat and a drink, while taking in the clear views across Dublin Bay. We then retraced our steps back down the hill, passing through the famous Fernhill Tunnel, before making our way past the old house and gardens and back to the cars. Another very pleasant outing; many thanks to everyone in the group for their good company. Ronnie Hamilton
For anyone interested in learning more about the history of Fernhill Park and Gardens, the DLR County Council Heritage Office occasionally organises free guided walks of the park and gardens. They are well worth doing! RH
Tuesday 1 September – Tibradden Cairn Walk
Yet again, our luck was in with the weather, it was a picture perfect afternoon for our ramble up to the Tibradden Cairn. It is an ongoing treasure that you can leave St Philip’s in built up Palmerston and 20 minutes later you can be in the most idyllic isolation up in the Dublin mountains. Ears were popping as we made our way up to the car park at the wonderful Zip Wire facility. Most of the group admired the view but swore against actually undertaking the zip wire course.
Tibradden Mountain stands at some 470m (1540 feet) so is a very decent little challenge. The views are breath-taking and the blanket bog cover was so beautiful, all purples and yellow. Apparently, red grouse can be spotted in amongst the heather on occasions. The cairn is pre-historic and when it was excavated in 1849, it revealed a central cist (stone-lined pit) that contained a pottery food vessel of Bronze Age type and cremated human remains. A spiral motif carved on a stone dates from the 19th century (thanks for the info., Ronnie).
Not everyone made it to the top but rested gracefully along the path. This is the beauty of the Strollers gatherings – absolutely no pressure to do this or that, just your own pace. We made our way back to the cars and retreated to the splendid Merry Ploughboy with its magnificent hanging baskets and fine music. Maureen joined us, just back from a week in Switzerland. It was a most pleasant interlude indeed and we joined the rush hour traffic after a super afternoon. Frank Harvey