Ramble Clontarf to Bull Island

Walk: Ramble, 9.5km Clontarf Seafront

Meeting Point: Public Car Park Clontarf Road Link HERE 

Meeting Time: 9:40am

Walk Start Time: 9:50am

Route: Clontarf seafront, over the wooden bridge, on to Bull Wall and walk to Our Lady, Star of the Sea statue.  Break on/near the beach/dunes and then back to Clontarf car park.  It we have a nice day, we may pop into St Anne’s Park for an additional ramble.

Distance: 9.5km 

Duration:   2.5 hours (including break)

Please Text the leader by Friday 25 September 2020 if you intend going on the walk

Leader’s Note: This is a lovely walk with stunning views of Wicklow and Howth in fine weather once we get on to Bull Wall.  We will walk from Clontarf seafront car park along the promenade that was reclaimed from the sea in the 1920s.  The promenade is always busy with joggers, runners, dog walking and cycling, but now has man made tracks on the grass for social distancing.  We will pass the old Clontarf baths (and newly opened restaurant), continue along the promenade and walk over the wooden bridge built in 1819 and down Bull Wall as far as the sea to Our Lady, Star of the Sea statue.  When the sun goes down her halo illuminates at night and is made of 12 stars donated by Waterford Glass.  We will then return and stop at the beach for a break and then continue back to the car park. There can be a chilly breeze on this walk so make sure that you have plenty of layers, gloves, hat and scarf, weather dependent.

Directions from Skerries:   By Car: Allow 30-40 minutes approx. Directions HERE Take M1 Southbound. Turn left onto Griffith Avenue. Turn right onto Malahide Road, Take Left slip road onto Clontarf Road, after about 750m you will see public car park on your right (opposite St. Anthony’s Church on your left). Parking Locations HERE. By Train:  depart Skerries 8.57am towards Connolly, change in Howth Junction and Donaghmede (same platform 1) and get 9.24am DART towards Bray – arrive at Clontarf Road station at 9.35am. It is a 9 min walk to the public car park.  Outside the train station on the Clontarf Road turn right and continue for 7 mins.  Trains depart from Clontarf at 13:42, 14:42. Toilet facilities: There are public toilets on Bull Island (50c).

Covid-19 related: Before the walk you will be asked to confirm that a) you have not been outside the country in the last 14 days, b) you have no symptoms of Covid-19 (cough, fever, shortness of breath, loss of smell/taste) and c) you have not been in contact with any confirmed Covid-19 case or been told to isolate in the last 14 days. If you cannot answer NO to all 3 questions, please do not come on the walk. 

WhatsApp: For ease of communication a WhatsApp group will be set up for the group coming on this walk for updates and sharing of photographs.   If you do not wish to be included please let the leader know when registering your interest in the walk. 

General:

Leave No Trace: the club is a supporter of the Leave No Trace campaign so please ensure that you leave no litter (of any sort) on the hike route

Clothing/Equipment: please ensure that, at the very least, you have either hiking boots or walking shoes (no trainers) and depending on weather forecast, multiple layers including a warm jacket/ fleece, hat and gloves, a waterproof jacket, waterproof trousers, a flask with a hot drink, food, snacks and water. 

If unsure about the required gear or your ability to undertake the walk please check with the walk leader in advance. 

Wooden Bridge at Bull Island