Greystones - Wicklow

Greystones to Wicklow

Local councilor Derek Mitchel (red top, a nice guy - unlike some of his ilk) welcomes us at the station. 

We had 13 miles to run today, so it was a bad start to discover that the sand was a bit soft.

Things improved and the beach was a paradise to run along.  We trotted along the sand beside the clear blue sea.  It's important to blend in with the natural environment ... note matching blue top.  Our usual female friends, who have been known to wear bright pink socks, were banned today.

The long abandoned Newcastle Station, one of a few along this coastal line.  It's a great idea to keep the name signs in place....

.... but somebody should tell this patient cat that the last train stopped here about fifty years ago.

We arrive in Wicklow.

With the charming staff, in the Wicklow tourist office.  Robert Halpin, one of the world's greatest mariners, came from here?  He survived many hazardous voyages but eventually died from an injury received when he was cutting his toe-nails.

This part of Ireland is home to some unusual sporting activities.
These anglers are fishing for crabs using whole oven-ready chickens tied to a piece of string. 
I'm sticking to running.
NEXT RUN - SUMMER 2016.


OTHER BLOGS:
coastrun2013.blogspot.co.uk
belfastruns.blogspot.co.uk
Bannrunning.blogspot.co.uk  (Currently Underway)

Killiney - Greystones

Killiney - Greystones

A bad start today.  Invited my friend Mansell along for the first time and he managed to bang into my right knee and walk on my left toe, both before we had left Connolly Station.

A quick stop at the Harbour Bar in Bray sorted things out.  This place was once nominated as the best pub in the world.  My vote would go to one that opens before 12 noon.

Another vote ... one 'Yes' and one 'Undecided'.

Brian unsuccessfully tries to clear the route at Bray Harbour.

Having escaped the swans, it's time for a tea break on Bray prom.

Setting out up the cliff path to Greystones.  One of the best sections so far, well worth a visit.

Not sure why these people were clapping but, at our age, we are happy to lap up any glory on offer.

Meeting with a Lithaunian walker.  Probably a recent arrival in Ireland as she's not holding on to her handbag! 

The new Greystones harbour - bet the old one looked nicer than this.

The hungry monk outside his cafe.

We ended the day with an invitation to visit a local woman in Greystones.  First there was a bit of a problem getting past her jumping dog. 

But Colin managed to calm things down - thanks for the drink Hilda.

Dublin - Killiney

Dublin to Killiney

We're hooked.  All having too much fun to stop at Dublin, so it's onward towards Cork.

On the quays, a strange man, covered in mud, proves too strong for us.











I might have ran all the way from Belfast - but these dogs are not impressed ...

..... they're more interested in the girls on the beach.

Amazing to meet a rival group of coast runners, heading the opposite direction. Check out their Peace Run website.  Next year they are visiting a place where they are urgently needed - it's called Belfast.

Only found out later that the word 'buoy' is Irish for 'arse'.

Tea break at the library in Dun Laoghaire.  Hungry men being welcomed by very friendly Zita, from Hungary.   

Arriving in sophisticated South Dublin, so the graffiti is getting better.

The 40 Foot bathing place, where men went swimming in perfect peace for 250 years. Then women arrived on the scene and the rules had to change .....

...... this was the first new rule.

The Sandycove Tower, where James Joyce briefly lived. Looks like he spent his time there drinking beer and making tea.

On top of the Tower - see Ulysses chapter one.  Did you know that Joyce once tried to open a cinema in Belfast?

The tiny Coliemore Harbour, which was the original main port for Dublin.  Something to do with deep water and tax avoidance.

This is often said to be the best place to live in Ireland.  But houses at Sorrento Terrace are too far from the shops for me.

The train journey home.  After a day of literature and fine architecture, we opted for wine and cheese, instead of the usual tea and crisps.  Thanks to Sheridan's of South Anne St for their sponsorship.

Howth - Dublin

Howth to Dublin

It's taken a long time but today was the last leg into Dublin. After three weeks in busy American cities, I was very happy to be back on the almost deserted beaches of Ireland. This is on Bull Island just to the North of Dublin. 

Colin and Brian contemplate going for a swim in the Liffey estuary, that's as far as it went. 

People who have jobs should really be kept working and not allowed out in the big wide world.

Colin checks out a house, at Marino, were he used to live many years ago.  A long time before that, in a house nearby, a boy spent the first seven years of his life ill in bed, survived to do a bit of writing and died almost unknown. Today, Bram Stoker is remembered throughout the world as the author of Dracula.

Another writer from the past, this is Samuel Beckett, waiting as usual, on the bridge named after him.

We were invited to meet the Dublin Lord Mayor at the Mansion House.  He kindly gave us tea and told us of his passion to help the homeless people in the city - a humbling end to the six months fun that we all have enjoyed.

The end for now.  It's been another great adventure, we will all remember the beauty of Ireland's East coast beaches and the friendliness of everybody we met along the way, from rural folk offering us cups to tea to being entertained by the Lord Mayor of Dublin.
* Watch this space for the next stage: Dublin - Greystones.
For my Northern Ireland coast run blog, see: http://coastrun2013.blogspot.co.uk/

Malahide - Howth

Not where we stayed last night but today's starting point - The Grand Hotel at Malahide.

A short jog through the village brought us to the beach and a chance to practice running in formation.  Flying ducks do this, so it must work.

This is called geriatric static.  The unfortunate situation, understood only by older men, where you don't attract the girl but you do have some success in attracting their hair.

Portmarnock Beach, with Howth ahead - simply beautiful.

We ran around Howth on a great coastal path. I'd never been along this route before but will definitely be back soon.  This is Bailey lighthouse.

Howth Head.  The place where Molly Bloom famously said 'yes' in Ulysses.
Our main concern was staying upright and trying to avoid falling off the cliffs when contemplating Joyce's text.

Balscadden House where WB Yeats lived.  Also visited by Bing Crosby and Phil Lynott. Thankfully not at the same time; it's hard to picture those two performing together after a few drinks.

The finish point for today at Howth village.  I'm off now on a short detour to America before our final arrival in Dublin on 26th May.