Walkers are taken on guided tours to experience the history of Dun Laoghaire, the surrounding areas and its mayor literary connections.

THE DUN LAOGHAIRE WAY.WALK 1

DUN LAOGHAIRE TOWN: Dún Laoghaire was built mainly in the 1800s and has adistinctive architectural style. Its excellent seaside locationencouraged many wealthy Dubliners to make it their home. During this period a large number of fine terraces and villas were built. The strong English associations of the town (once called Kingstown in commemoration ofthe visit of King George 1V in 1821) are reflected in man of the stops on the route. Two factors that really madethe town prosperous were the coming of the railway 1834 and the construction of the great asylum harbour, thefoundation stone of which was laid in 1817. This Victorian town is unique among Irish towns.

STOP 1: DUN LAOGHAIRE RAILWAY STATION

The walk begins at the Station on Crofton Road which is also known as Mallin StationThe Dublin to Dún Laoghaire line is famous for being the first railway in Ireland, it was also the world's first suburban railway line. It was opened as a freight service in 1834 between the harbour and Dublin.

DART, (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) trains un approximately every ten minutes and take twenty minutes to Dublin City Centre. The DART runs the full length of the bay - from Bray to Howth, with additional trains to Greystones and Malahide.

Opposite the railway station is the entrance to The Harbour Commissioner's House built in 1820. It is now home to The Harbour Company. A short distance beyond is the former St Michael's Nursing Home.

STOP 2: BRASSERIE NA MARA(Marine Road  & Queens Road junction)

This well-known seafood restaurant was originally the ticket office of the train station and is considered to be one of the finest buildings in Dún Laoghaire. On the wall near the steps note the plaque commemorating Michael Mallin, one of the revolutionary leaders of the 1916 Uprising.

Opposite you, on the corner of Marine Road, The County Hall, the Administrative Centre for the County of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown. It was built in 1880 by J.L.Robinson who was the town's principal architect in the 19th century. He also designed St Michael's Hospital, the People's Park and the spire of St Michael's Church - all of which you will come to later.

On the other corner of Marine Road, The Pavilion Centre. Completed in 2002, it is home to the Pavilion Theatre, shops, restaurants, bars, and coffee shops.

This was the site of the original Victorian Pavilion; an impressive structure of timber and glass constructed in 1903 which sadly burnt down in 1915.

STOP 3: THE HARBOUR PLAZA.

Completed in 1995 the Plaza and Sail Sculpture form part of the Ferry Terminal complex. It was awarded the "Construction Excellence Award" by C.I.F. in 1996. The Plaza provides an attractive focal point for entertainment groups and strollers enjoying the views over the harbour.

Continue the walk towards The Marina with the back of the railway station on your left. The Marina was opened in 2001 and caters for yachts up to 25 metres with facilities for 700 boats.

On route to Crofton Road Bridge you pass the Royal irish Yacht Club, the first purpose built yacht club in Ireland and one of four in Dun Laoghaire.

STOP 4: CROFTON ROAD BRIDGE.

This is the site of the ancient Dún" (or ring fort) from which the town derives its name: the Irish translation of Dún Laoghaire means 'The Fort of Laoghaire'. King Laoghaire is believed to have lived here in the fifth century AD and is said to have been the son of Niall of the Nine Hostages, who brought St Patrick to Ireland as a slave.

Cross the bridge and the main road, turn left by the apartment block into Clarence Street and left at the next traffic lights.

STOP 5. GEORGES STREET LOWER.

You are now on the main street of Dún Laoghaire, called after King George IV, who visited the town in 1821. Many of the other street names also reflect the Anglicised influence of the town: Wellington Street, Mulgrave Street, Queen's Road etc. To commemorate the king's visit, the town's name was changed to Kingstown, only reverting back to the original after Independence in 1921.

STOP 6. WORKMEN'S CLUB.

A short distance up on the other side is the red bricked building that once housed the Workmen's Club. Founded by Professor W.F. Barret as a Temperance Club, it was where working men could meet and play billiards or read the newspaper - without being tempted by the demon drink! Beside the Club is Dun Laoghaire Public Library; a Carnegie Library built in 1912.

STOP 7: THE ORATORY OF THE SACRED HEART.

Entrance to the Oratory is on Library Road by the children's playground. Built on the old Dominican Convent grounds, its purpose was to house the statue of Christ which was sent from Flanders to commemorate the soldiers of Dún Laoghaire who were killed in the First World War.

The interior of the Oratory is completely covered in Celtic Art which was executed by a member of the Dominican Community, Sister Concepta Lynch. It is one of the best examples of the spirit of Celtic Revival in art in Ireland in the early years of the 20th century. Harry Clarke's studio was commissioned to make the stained glass windows.

STOP 8. ST. MICHAEL'S HOSPITAL.

Continuing up Lower George's Street, you come to St. Michael's Hospital. Opened in 1860. Just behind the Hospital, on the opposite side at the Bloomfield Shopping Centre, is Dunphy's Pub. The ground floor facade was rebuilt in the traditional style ] which harmonises with the architecture above. Some of the most interesting architectural details on George's Street can be seen on the upper parts of buildings. From Dunphy's cast your eye across the street to Sean McManus Jewellers with the original architectural design preserved.

Continue along George's Street to the traffic lights.

STOP 9. MARINE ROAD.

The junction of Marine Road and George's Street is a vantage point to enjoy the sweeping vista of the new-look George's Street, completed in 2001. Its marble seating, cobbled roadway and state of the art lighting create a modern town centre which has been designed to co-exist alongside its Victorian heritage.

The original St Michael's Church  was burnt down in 1966, all that remains is the bell tower and spire which deserves closer examination, being one of the town's most elegant landmarks. The granite blocks from the old church were used in the building of the new one. On the other side of Dún Laoghaire's first shopping centre built in the mid-1970’s. Facing the Centre on George's Street (beside Eason's) note o'Mahony & ennis pharmacy, an example of an old-style shop front which has been retained over the years.

Continuing past the shopping centre and the post office, turn left into Haigh Terrace.

STOP 10: NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM & CHRIST KING STATUE.

The Mariner's Church at the end of Haigh Terrace now houses the Maritime Museum. The church was built in 1835,enlarged in 1860, and opened as a museum in 1974. It is run on a voluntary basis and well worth a visit. There is a large collection of maritime models, pictures, documents, photographs, charts, stamps, postcards, flags and badges, celebrating Ireland's maritime tradition.

The Statue of Christ the King at the end of the terrace is a very impressive piece of sculpture, commanding a scenic view of the harbour and bay.

The bowling green and Moran Park House is on your left. Continue down the steps onto the walkway known as The Metals and turn right. Go up the next steps on the right, into Adelaide Street.

STOP 11. ST. NICHOLAS MONTESSORI SCHOOL.

St Nicholas was originally the old mariner's school. It was founded to provide an education for the children of sailors. 

Adelaide House  is on your right facing George's Street. It is the only house in Dún Laoghaire with two front doors leading onto different streets. Note the decorative window surrounds. Turn left into George's Street.

STOP 12: KINGSTOWN MEN'S CHRISTIAN INSTITUTE.

Established in 1888 the institue provides recreational and sports facilities for its members. Note the elaborate red brickwork on the facade. The first turn on the right after The Institute will bring you into Clarinda Park, one of the first Victorian Squares to be planned in Dún Laoghaire, construction began in 1849. Other Victorian squares are Royal Terrace  and Crosthwaite Park.

STOP 13: THE PEOPLE'S PARK.

Of particular note are the elegant granite pillars and the KTC gate (Kingstown Town Commissioners). The stone troughs in front of the gate lodge were originally pig troughs; they are now being put to more aesthetic use, as flower pots. Opened in 1890 this Victorian Park with beautifully landscaped lawns and flower beds and children's playground, still exudes an ambience of Victorian recreation.

Of particular interest are the two very fine cast iron fountains and the tea rooms. Walk through the park and exit at the seafront gate.

STOP 14: THE METALS.

The walkway to the right of the gates is called  The Metals and will take you directly to Dalkey Quarry in Killiney Hill Park. This was the route of the funicular railway system that brought the granite from Dalkey Quarry to Dún Laoghaire seafront for the construction of the harbour. The building on the seafront, to the right of the traffic lights, formerly housed public and seaweed baths.

STOP 15: THE EAST PIER.

The pier is 1,300 metres long and was constructed between 1817 and 1823. It is a pleasant and interesting walk taking in the Geographical Pointer, Bandstand & Glass Shelter first erected in the 1890s. The Boyd Memorial commemorates Captain John McNeill Boyd and his crew who were drowned in a rescue attempt in 1861. The Anemometer houses a modern weather station. The Lighthouse and Battery has one of the only gun saluting stations in the country. Enjoy the walk in its entirety or take a short stroll to the Geographical Pointer on the right before the bandstand. Heading back to your departure point on the Queen's Road, you pass the national Yacht Club designed by William Stirling in 1870 and the Royal St. George Yacht Club erected in 1863.

STOP 16: GEORGE IV MONUMENT/RMS LEINSTER MEMORIAL AND ANCHOR.

This fine Obelisk commemorates the laying of the first stone of the harbour in 1817 and the visit of King George 1V in 1821. It is unusual in that it is balanced on four granite balls. This is a good vantage point to view the yacht clubs and the Carlisle Pier or Mail Packet Terminal as it was called, which opened in 1859. From here thousands of unemployed Irish emigrated to England seeking a better life.

It is interesting to note that all the buildings along the waterfront had to be one-storey. The Harbour Commissioners would not allow the view of the harbour to be obstructed. For this reason, when extending the railway line, the engineers had to sink the line below ground level.

STOP 17. VICTORIAN FOUNTAIN.

Victorian Fountain  reinstated in 2003. The original was erected in 1901 to commemorate Queen Victoria's visit and was destroyed in 1981. The project was commissioned by the Harbour Company, created from the original drawings. It is one of the best examples of high quality decorative ironwork in Dún Laoghaire.

is on your left. It was from this building on 20th July 1898 that  Guglielmo Marconi  used ship to shore radio transmission to report results of the Kingstown Regatta.This was the first time wireless communication was used in journalism. Continue down the steps onto the walkway known as The Metals  and turn right. Go up the next steps on the right, into Adelaide Street.at the end of the terrace is a very impressive piece of sculpture, commanding a scenic view of the harbour and bay. The triple cross was designed by Andrew O'Connor, an American Sculptor of Irish descent. Cast in bronze, it symbolises three different aspects of Christ's life. The statue was first exhibited at the Paris Salon in 1926 but was not erected on this spot until 1978 because of controversy over its modern representation., an example of an old-style shop front which has been retained over the years. The premises date back to the 1880s.Note the elegant street lamps, many of which have extended brackets

 - This information has been provided for Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Tourism, Avoca House, 8 Marine ROad, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. Tel: 353 (0) 1 205 48 55. E-mail. info@dirtourism.com Web: www.dlrtourism.com

THE DUN LAOGHAIRE WAY. WALK 2.

BLACKROCK:Blackrock gets its name from the Black Rock that lies off its shore. The rock was once a boundary mark of the city limits. It is also indicates the point where the limestone, locally called calp, of the central plain meets the micaschist and granite so characterirstic of the Dun Laoghaire area.

STOP 1: BLACKROCK DART STATION.

On the seaward side of the station are the former Blackrock Public Sea Baths, a famous popular  swimming resort up to the 1980s. The baths contained a 50 metre pool which facilitated water polo matches, high board diving facilities and could accommodate up to thousand spectators.

From here make your way along Idrone Terrace. Note the reproduction Victorian lamps, erected to blend with the elegant 19th century terrace. This is Blackrock's most complete formal terrace of houses.

Across the bay we can see Howth and the chimneys of Pigeon House power station. To the east is the magnificent harbour of Dun Laoghaire.

STOP 2: VANCE'S HARBOUR.

Look over the sea wall at the end of the seafront. To the left of the railway bridge is a small harbour and a pavilion, a 19th century folly built in the grounds of Maretimo, Lord Cloncurry's 18th century villa wich has long since gone. His main house was at Lyons, County Kildare.

The harbour was contructed by the raylway company to compensate Lord Cloncurry for loss of sea frontage when the Dublin to Kingstown (Dun Laoghaire) railway was built in 1834.

Once around the corner the Church of St John the Baptist comes into view, a fne gothic-style building with its lovely rose window on the gable end.

STOP 3: MARETIMO.

About half way along Newtown Avenue we come to what remain of Maretimo villa, an entrance stone with the name engraved on it. A block of apartments now occupies the site.

STOP 4: BLACKROCK HOUSE.

This magnificent house was built around the same time as Maretimo, (c.1774). It was the summer residence of the Lord Lieutenant, and was often the centre of great festivities.

STOP 5: NEWTON HOUSE.

After Blackrock House you pass by Newton House, another example of how the wealthy lived in times past. The car salesroom across the road was formally the tramyard for the old Dublin to Blackrock line.

STOP 6: TOBERNEA PARK.

Cross over Seapoint Avenue, the park is on the left. The names comes from the Irish "Tobar" meaning well and "nea" meaning wash.

The piece of sculpture in the middle of the park is of sheet steel by Colm Brennan, called "Stele for Celin King", 1986. It is one of a number of sculptures located throughout the County as a result of a symposium organised by the then Dun Laoghaire Corporation and the Sculpture Society of Ireland in 1986.

STOP 7: BLACKROCK DOLMEN.

Turn right onto the Blackrock by-pass which was built in the 1980s to divert traffic from the centre of the town. By the first set of traffic lights is Blackrock Dolmen, a sculpture of bronze, resin bronze and stone by Rowan Gillespie, 1987.

On the opposite side of the road are the beautifully restored gates of St Teresa's Convent. 

Near the gates, underground, runs the Glas Lobhar river, which means the Leper's Stream. The river begins its route in Leopardstown (originally Leper;s Town). In the Middle Ages this was the location of a leper colony, hence the name.

STOP 8: THE CHURCH OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST.

This gothic-styule building commands a prominent position on Temple road. The rose window on the gable and the two carved heads on either side, are an unusual and interesting architectural feature. The site for the church weas donated by Lord Cloncurry who also contributed to the building fund and presented a stained-glass window which bears his coat of arms.

The church is mentioned in James Joyce's "A Protrait of the Artist as a Young Man".

STOP 9: TOWN HALL.

Walk along the lane at the side of the church, back to Newtown Avenue and turn left. On the right is the old Town Hall incorporating one of the Carnegie libraries. The Town Hall was built in 1865 when Blackrock Township Commission was established. Alongside the town hall is a small building resembling a boathouse, this housed the original Blackrock fire station.

Opposite is Carraig Books Shop, a sharp architectural contrast  to the Town Hall and library. Conitnue your walk towards the town centre.

STOP 10: THE CROSS OF BLACKROCK.

 Erected on the pavement, outside the Bank of Ireland, this 12th century granite cross was moved here from some unrecorded church site in the locality. It is finely shaped with chamfered edges and unusual in that it bears no Crucifixion scene. instead there is a head carved in high relief.

STOP 11: THE ARCHWAY.

Through this Archway is a building which dates back to the mid 18th century.

STOP 12: BLACKROCK SHOPPING CENTER.

As you progress up the Main Street the Shopping Centre is on the left. Opened in 1984, it has made Blackrock a prime shopping area in South Dublin.

STOP 13: BLACKROCK PARK.

Bear right in the direction of the by-pass to the final stop. Note the park's entrance with its fine granite pillars and irons lanterns. To the left of the entrance you can see "Lios an Uisce"(Elmcliff)

Walk through the park and exit down at the seafront end. Turn right and follow the lane that runs along by the railway line, this will lead you back to Blackrock Dart Starion. 

 - This information has been provided for Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Tourism, Avoca House, 8 Marine ROad, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. Tel: 353 (0) 1 205 48 55. E-mail. info@dirtourism.com Web: www.dlrtourism.com

THE DUN LAOGHAIRE WAY.WALK 3

MONKSTOWN.Monkstown is rich in hiistory and legend, from tales oof monks fleeing with the relics of their saint before fearsome Vikings, to the coming of the Cistercians and the building of one of the finest remaining castles in South Dublin.

STOP 1: MONKSTOWN VILLAGE

The Village is a short stroll from Monkstown/Salthill Dart Station (suburban rail), the number 7 bus passes through the village. The Victorian roundabout in the centre represents a time long gone with a drinking though for horses, note the cutstone plinth and circle chains.

STOP 2: ST. MARY'S CHURCH (CHURCH OF IRELAND)

The architecture of the church is quite unique, being of Moorish Gothic style.

STOP 3: ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH (ROMAN CATHOLIC)

Situated close by on Carrickbrennan Road, St. Patricks was opened in 1866. It was designed in the early French Gothic style by the architects, Augustus W. Pugin and George Ashlin.

STOP 4: CARRICKBRENNAN GRAVEYARD.

Further up Carribrennan Road, on the left hand side is this historical graveyard. Acces is through the unusual spear-pointed arch. It is open to the public at certain times and is well worth a visit.

STOP 5: MONKSTOWN CASTLE.

Named after Cistercian monks from St. Mary's Abbey in Dublin, the castle was built in the 13th century to protect their rich arable and pasture lands in the surrounding areaThere was originally a wall around the castle, enclosing about five acres (known as a Bawn) where tenants would take shelter with their cattle and belongings in time of attack.

STOP 6: WIDOW GAMBLE'S HILL.

The route now takes you up past the Christian Brothers College, formally "Monkstown Park" and home to the well known Philanthropist Charles Haliday. The house was erected in 1843 and is incorporated into the school, but its long portico of Corinthians columns remains intact.

STOP 7: KNAPTON ROAD.

Cross the road and bear left just before the traffic lights. This pleasant walk through a secluded and quiet residential area brings you out on to Versey Place, a reminder of Victorian prosperity. The open space in front of Versey was once a private park for the residents.

STOP 8: DE VESCI TERRACE.

Continue your walk down the slope to deVesci Gardens and turn right into deVesci coat or arms, which depicts the two mythological figures, Castor and Pollux. The garden opposite are for the sole use of the residents. At the end od deVesci Terrace turn left onto the main road , cross over and turn right. You are now in old Dunleary.

STOP 9. OLD DUNLEARY.

This area has many historic links with Monkstown. The former coalyard on the corner was the location of the old harbour. At the beginning of the eighteenth century Dunleary was no more than a hamlet.

STOP 10. THE PURTY KITCHEN.

This is the Dun Laoghaire's oldest pub, its most famous customer was George IV in 1821. Continue your walk westward past the pub along Longford Terrace, one of the longest and most substantial Victorian terraces in the area.

Adjoining Salthill Dart Station car park is the newly developed Linear Park, formally the gardens of Longford Terrace. Clifton Avenue will bring you back to Monkstown Village.

 - This information has been provided for Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Tourism, Avoca House, 8 Marine ROad, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. Tel: 353 (0) 1 205 48 55. E-mail. info@dirtourism.com Web: www.dlrtourism.com

THE DUN LAOGHAIRE WAY.WALK 4.

SANDYCOVE: Sandycove lis about a mile south of Dun Laoghaire and has many places of interest, most notably the James Joyce Museum housed in the Martello Tower. It is this association that gives Sandycove an international literary reputation.

STOP 1: ISLINGTON AVENUE.

The walk begins at Sandycove Dart Station (suburban rail) cross the road and turn down Islington Avenue which has some fine examples of Victorain Architecture. Half Way down on the left number 6 has an interesting doorcase with doric style columns, Greek key pattern over the door and an original fanlight.

STOP 2: THE PROMENADE.

Continue to the end of the road and enjoy the magnificent view if the Promenade. To the left you can see the east pier of Dun Laoghaire Harbour, Howt and Ireland's Eye straight ahead, to the right Sandycove Point and the famous James Joyce Tower.

STOP 3: NEWTOWNSMITH.

The Walkway along the seafront, was rejuvenated and officially opened in 2002. The sea urchin like sculpture on the green is "Archer II" by Niall O'Neill 1985.

STOP 4: MARINE PARADE.

Follow the pathway to the right through the gree back to Marine Parade. The Monument on the left commemotates the opneing of Marine Parade in 1922 which runs along the shore joining Sandycove and Dun Laoghaire.

STOP 5: BALLYGIHEN.

Further Along the seafront at the corner of Ballygihen Avenue is the house where the wirter and artist Lady Beatrice Glenavy or Beatrice Elvery lived. The family were silk merchants from Spain, who came to Dublin in 1848 ad changed their name to Alvarez to Elvery and established themselves in the clothing industry and sport shops.

STOP 6:  SANDYCOVER PARK.

Contiinuing the walk towards the harbour you pass Sandycove Park which has a polished granite monument to James Joyce, commemorating the centenary of his birth on the 18th May 1882.

STOP 7: SANDYCOVE BATHS.

Round the corner on the seashore are the old seabaths, dating back to the 19th century. The hot and cold water baths attracted visitors from a wide aree. They closed in the early 1970s and are now used by a Sub Aqua Club.

STOP 8. FORTY FOOT MEN'S BATHING PLACE.

At the back of the harbour is the legendary "Forty Foot" famous not only for the excellence of its bathing conditions but also as the last bastion of an all-male bathing place. The "men only" rule was challenged by the feminists as late as the 1970s. It is now enjoyed by both sexes ans is the location of the annual Christmas Day swim.

STOP 9. JAMES JOYCES MUSEUM.

The Martello Tower to the right of the harbour houses the James Joyce Museum. Martello Towers, 74 in total, dot the coastline of Ireland and were built between 1801 and 1804 to resist and expected naval attack from Napoleon's French fleet. There were fourteen defending Dublin bay alone. The stone built towers were forty feet high, with eight-foot thick walls, the entrance door was usually positioned ten of fifteen feet above the ground.

STOP 10: BULLOCK CASTLE.

This remarkably intact 12th century Cistercian castle is now part of Dalkey Manor Nursing Home. It originally formed part of the monastic farm stretching from Monkstown.

STOP 11. SANDYCOVE ROAD.

 Returning to the route towards Dun Laoghaire on the left you pass the house were Roger Casement was born. Casement eas a leading figure in the 1916 Rebellion for Irish independence. He was executed for amrs smugglins from Germany.

STOP 12: SANDYCOVE VILLAGE.

Note the archway on the right at the southern entrance to Ballygihen Avenue with the weather cock perched on top. This was the pedestrian entrance to Ballygihen Houise built around 1840 with impressive landscaped gardens sweeping down to the seafront. The house was demolished in 1984 and sheltered housing for the elderly was built on the site.

STOP 13. GLASTHULE.

The Irish for Glasthule is Glas Tuathail, which means O'Tooles Stream. There has been a settlement here since the middle of the eighteenth century, by the mouth of a tiny stream, now longer gone. On the corner by the traffic is the eagle House, a fine building dateing back to the early 1900s.

STOP 14: ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH.

As you leave the village and head back towards the DART Station, you pass the Parish Church, the foundation stone of which was laid in 1867.

 - This information has been provided for Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Tourism, Avoca House, 8 Marine ROad, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. Tel: 353 (0) 1 205 48 55. E-mail. info@dirtourism.com Web: www.dlrtourism.com

THE DUN LAOGHAIRE WAY. WALK 5.

DALKEY. Dalkey, a designated Heritage Town is situated at the southern end of Dublin Bay. IT is famous for its literary associations, with many witers making their home here. James Joyce set chapter two of his famous novel"Ulysesses", in Dalkey.

In the 16th century, Ringsend superseded Dalkey as Dublin;s primary port, causing the town to go into decline. In the 19th century the town prospered again with the building of Dun Laoghaire Harbour, whose great piers were constructed with the granite quarried from Dalkey Hill.

STOP 1: ARCHBOLD'S CASTLE.

The first of two remaining castles, Archbold's Castle is sitated in Castle Street, the town's main street and is in a reasonable state of repair, except for the battlements.

STOP 2: THE HERITAGE CENTRE.

The centre is on the opposite side of the road and is accessed through Goat Castle, which now incorporates the Town Hall. Is is an excellent informative starting point with exhibitions and guided tours of the medieval church and Goat's Castle.

STOP 3: GOAT CASTLE.

This castle gets its name from the demi-goat in the goat of arms of the cheevers family who owned the building in the 16th century. From the battlements there is an excellent view of the surrounding town, sea and mountains.

Continue your walk through the town and note the many traditional shopfronts in Castle Street and Raylway Road which add to its character. The town is a popular gastronomic centre and boasts some interesting pubs. Leave the town via Coliemore Road.

STOP 4: COLIEMORE HARBOUR.

The view from the harbour must be one of the most beautiful along the coastline. The Irish meaning of Coliemore is Large Harbour, which is appropiate since this was the appropiate location of the medieval port serving Dublin. Across the Sound is Dalkey Island where the first Stone Age Settlers on the east coast made their homes at the end of the Mesolithic Period.

STOP 5: SORRENTO PARK.

Continue along the coast road, past Dillon Park on the shoreside, to Sorrento Park on the right. As you go up the path from the entrance, note the rather weather-beaten mosaic on the left, this is a memorial to John Dowland, a local Elizabeth poet.

On leaving the park, go right onto Sorrento Road and then left onto Vico Road.

STOP 6: "STRAWBERRY HILL"

On the left on the top of the incline is a lovely italianate-style house, built around 1900. Cross the road and ascend the 233 steps directly opposite, to Torca Road.

STOP 7. TORCA COTTAGE.

On arrival at the top, turn right onto Torca Road and Torca Cottage is a short distance along on the left. It was here that the playwright and Fabian George Bernard Shwa, spent much of his childhood.

STOP 8: DALKEY HILL QUARRY.

From Shaw's home, walk along Torca Road to the Quarry, a popular area for rock-climbers. On top of the hill is the Telegraph Semaphore Tower, built during the Napoleonic Wars to send signals to ships in Dublin Bay by using large wooden arms.

STOP 9:SUMMERFIELD.

In the early part of the century, Summerfield on Dalkey Avenue was a school, where the novelist James Joyce taugh for a brief period. The building is now a private residence.

STOP 10: CELTIC CROSS.

In the Wall of the railway bridge on Dalkey Avenue is an interesting Celtic cross, used originally to mark the site of a local holy well. Turn right at the bottom of the hill and the route brings you back to the centre of Dalkey.

 - This information has been provided for Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Tourism, Avoca House, 8 Marine ROad, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. Tel: 353 (0) 1 205 48 55. E-mail. info@dirtourism.com Web: www.dlrtourism.com

THE DUN LAOGHAIRE WAY. WALK 6.

KILLINEY. The name of Killiney is derived from the Irish, Cill Inions Leinin, which translates as "the church of the daughters of Leinin" who are thought to have stablished a religious settlement here in the seventh century. The ancient church on Marino Avenue is dedicated to them.

STOP 1: KILLINEY VILLAGE.

The walks begins in the Village of Killiney nearly 150m above Killiney Bay. It is the terminus for the N0. 59 bus from Dun Laoghaire and is approximately 1 mile from Killiney DART station (Suburban Rail). The Druid's Chair Pub built in 1894 is named after a nearby 18th century folly.

STOP 2: KILLINEY HILL PARK.

Follow the park wall northwards towards Fitzpatrick's Castle Hotel, to the main entrance of the Park.

Killiney Hilll PArk also has an interesting nature trail signposted and numbered for which there is a separate leaflet. At various points your walk will cross the trail.

STOP 3: KILLINEY HILL SUMMIT.

Taking the path to your right inside the gate, the walk takes you upward to the summit. As the path climbs enjoy the espectacular scenery. From the top the views are breathtaking; Bray and Wicklow to the South, Dalkey Island, Howth, Dun Laoghaire to the north and Dublin to the west.

STOP 4. THE WISHING STONE.

Built in 1852, this undocumented curio is traditionally known for its magical powers; if you walk around each level, then stand at the top facing Dalkey Island, and make a wish it will come true. To the right there is a nother smaller obelisk, called Boucher's Obelisk, with "Mount Malpas" inscribed on it.

STOP 5: THE CAT'S LADDER.

As you make your way down the steps, "Strawberry Hill" comes into a view, a magnificent Italianate-Style house built in 1900.

STOP 6. WHITEROCK BEACH.

Walk south on the Vico Road and take the pathway down to the railway bridge and descend the steps to the beach. This area gets its name from the roack aplite which has a sugary appearance and is white in colour.

STOP 7. "MOUNT EAGLE"

Retrace your steps back to the Vico Road and continue south, note "Mount Eagle", a beautiful cut-stone house built in the mid 19th century by robert Warren. "Mount Eagle" also has a famous rock garden, but unfortunately it is not open to the public.. Continue up Victoria Road.

STOP 8. AYESHA CASTLE.

On the left side is Ayesha Castle, also built by Robert Warren about middle of the last century. It was destroyed by a fire in 1930.

The path through the arch brings you back to Killiney Village.

 - This information has been provided for Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Tourism, Avoca House, 8 Marine ROad, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. Tel: 353 (0) 1 205 48 55. E-mail. info@dirtourism.com Web: www.dlrtourism.com

- EVENING ENTERTAINMENT