Dublin RFM Blue Line

 

Dublin

RFM Blue Line

02/09/25

Dublin fair city. The last time I was in Dublin was 25 years ago and boy have things changed.

To be fair to Dublin this walk just scratches the surface and does not include any visits to art galleries, libraries, museums, attractions or even pubs and restaurants. But even taking this into account the main attraction Temple Bar was not very attractive at all.

My walk started with a ride on the Luas from Red Cow to Abbey Street. It was busy and not as fast as I expected. The guy behind me caught a woman red handed 'accidently' going through his bag. Not a great start. he moved and sat next to me so I talked with him and he was great but it was a salutary warning. Other than that the Luas was actually quite a nice easy ride into the city centre, definitely better than driving and reasonably cheap.

My walk started on Abbey Street and it was busy. I immediately noticed that the throng was multicultural and there were lots of tourists like myself around. I found my bearings and headed towards O'Connell Street. The first landmark was the Spire of Dublin which I knew was built on the site of the destroyed Nelson's Column. A needle pointing to the heavens, wonderful.

The next landmark was the famous General Post Office symbol of the failed 1916 uprising.

Then on to the great Republican and Unionist Jim Larkin in his famous pose.

 

On to the greatest of the lot Daniel o' Connell, The Liberator, with a seagull on his head. I had to wait patiently to get these photos as there were loads of guided tours blocking up the views. These seemed to be mostly German and not to put too fine a point on it they seemed to have no regard for other people sight seeing or the local pedestrians. But hey they were learning about the history of Ireland so I am not knocking it. All the guides speaking in English seemed to be talking in exagerated Irish brogues...good actors and I don't fault them.

Then it was across O'Connell Bridge over the Liffey and a walk along Aston Quay to the Ha'penny Bridge (no prizes for how it got it's name). The weather was a little chilly and rain was in the air. The mountains when I set off were covered in fog and rain.

I took a photo up and down the Liffey from the Ha'penny Bridge becasue I always take photos from bridges.The view was alright but not spectacular. I recrossed the river at the Millenium Bridge.

I walked along Great George Street and Golden Lane and came to my next land mark St Patrick's Cathedral and park. 

The cathedral was a lovely building and the park very nice. There were a lot of Spanish and Italians wandering around and they were helpfully keeping out of shot when I wanted to take a photo. It felt like a really nice place but there were a few blokes drinking from cans who were keeping themselves to themselves. A feature of all modern urban areas but in Dublin there were very few unfortunates to be seen. 

I wandered the streets back into the centre and was attracted by Stephen's Green shopping centre partly because I needed a loo.This was a magnificent serendipitous encounter, what a magnificent centre, I adored it. Still I did'nt buy anything I just loved the building.

 

Then it was on to the famous frontage of Trinity College. Again I started seeing tour groups but they were few and well spaced apart. 

The view up College Green with the Bank of Ireland on the right.

I couldn't help back tracking to Molly Malone's statue's temporary location in front of St Andrew's church. I had to wait for a group of far eastern visitors to take their many selfies before I could get an unencumbered photo. I wonder if it will return to Grafton Street?

Then I wandered around Temple Bar which had been transformed over the last 25 years into a very unattractive area of fake Irishness and no apparent locals anywhere to be seen. I am a tourist but this fakery was the main reason I was so disappointed with Dublin. I feel lucky to have just experienced the old Temple Bar before this monstrous change.

City Hall was suitably grand.

I thought this was Dublin Castel but I now realise the following 2 photos were part of the same.

I returned to the Luas on Upper Abbey Street via the Ha'penny Bridge and was soon back at Red Cow park and ride and on my way to the mountains.

It was about a 5 mile city walk and I took in most of the land marks I wanted to see. In the main Dublin was friendly enough, I felt no apprehension on my walk and the sights were ok. The main magnet of Temple Bar was not my cup of tea and the crowds near the main tourist hot spots were annoying. Next time I will pick out some museums and galleries to visit now I have the sights bottomed out. I really want to come back and watch a Hurling match with the Cats playing at Croke Park as well as walking in the Wicklow Mountains. So come on you Cats.