North of Dublin

Before Heading North

We decided that Peter would drive (being more recently acquainted with driving on the left) and I would navigate, at least until we escaped Dublin. The plan was to circumnavigate Ireland in an anti-clockwise direction, more or less. But we wanted to stop in downtonw Dublin to have a quick look around, and obtain tourist information, Bed & Breakfast (B & B) guides etc. After a comedy of errors due to one-way streets, and others that were pedestrian only, we found a parking garage and went on the walking tour. I have no photos, as it was more a reconnaissance trip, since we planned to spend the last few days in Dublin before returning home.

Up North

With no accomodation booked and no specific destination for the night, we found the main road north from Dublin and headed that way. Then took the next right turn to head towards the coast.

Rush

After passing through Lusk, we reached the coast at Rush, which is a bulb-growing centre.

Rush - north of Dublin

The harbour at Rush, such as it is.

Rush - north of Dublin

Just off the coast, is what I believe is Lambay Island, accessible by boat from Rush. In the 8th century, the island was the scene of one of the first Viking incursions. There are still some fortifications dating from 1550. Now a bird sanctuary, it can only be visited with permission from its owner, Lord Revelstoke. Click for a close up of the island.

Rush - north of Dublin

Looking further north towards Skerries. On the very point of land there is a Martello Tower visible in close up. There are 74 Martello Towers erected around 1804 at vulnerable points along the coast. They are about 12m (40 ft) high, with 2.5m (8 feet) thick walls, and usually had 2 or 3 guns.

Skerries

Skerries ("rocks" in Irish) was the next port of call, just a tad further up the coast. It appeared to be more of a fishing village than Rush, as there were a number of larger fishing boats tied up at the wharf.

Skerries, north of Dublin

Looking across the bay at Skerries. Those clouds are beginning to look ominous, and indeed we were about to see the last of the sun for a few days. This and the next photo were taken from an area that originally was an island.

Skerries, north of Dublin

Looking back towards the "mainland". These buildings are on the filled in land which turned the island into a headland.

After Skerries we continued north, reaching the main road and Drogheda, where we decided to follow the local custom and consider this a long day's journey and stop for the night. One benefit of travelling in October is that (with one exception) we never had trouble finding a place to stay. And so it was with Drogheda.

Dublin

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