NOT EXACTLY WHERE I EXPECTED IT TO BE
My initial intention was to travel by the Number 155 bus from Broadstone to Cornelscourt Village in order to photograph a bronze sculpture located there and then travel on to Bray but the journey took much longer than I had expected so I decided to walk to Carrickmines Tram stop but I got lost on the way so it took me almost an hour to arrive at the stop.
While the Carrickmines LUAS stop bears the name of the surrounding area, it’s not situated within a traditional village centre, it does provide access to the surrounding areas, including Brennanstown and Glenamuck. This area, once largely rural, has seen significant residential development in recent years, although perhaps not at the pace initially anticipated when the LUAS line was extended.
This brings us to the “ghost stations”. These two non-operational stops, built between Ballyogan Wood and Carrickmines, and between Carrickmines and Laughanstown, stand as a testament to the sometimes unpredictable nature of urban development. They were constructed in anticipation of future housing and commercial growth, which hasn’t yet materialised.
However, their presence sparks curiosity and raises questions about the future of the area. Will these stations eventually become operational? Will the surrounding fields and green spaces give way to bustling communities? Only time will tell.
In the meantime, the Carrickmines stop, despite its slightly misleading name, offers a convenient gateway to explore the surrounding countryside, with its scenic hills, woodlands, and historical sites.
Why visit?
Access to the Dublin Mountains: The stop provides easy access to the Dublin Mountains, with numerous walking and hiking trails.
Scenic countryside: The area boasts beautiful scenery, perfect for leisurely strolls or more challenging hikes.
Historical sites: Carrickmines Castle and a nearby Neolithic passage tomb offer glimpses into the area’s rich history.
Cycling and Greenways: The area is well-connected to various cycling routes and greenways, including the Dublin Mountains Way and the Wicklow Way.
Recommended Trails and Greenways:
Dublin Mountains Way: This long-distance walking trail offers stunning views and challenging terrain.
Wicklow Way: Another long-distance trail, the Wicklow Way, takes you through the beautiful Wicklow Mountains National Park.
Ticknock Forest: A short distance from the LUAS stop, Ticknock Forest offers a range of walking and mountain biking trails.
Dundrum Town Centre: For those seeking retail therapy, Dundrum Town Centre, one of Ireland’s largest shopping centres, is just a short LUAS ride away.
Carrickmines developed as a settlement in the more than 6 km long valley of the same name, which contains the modest Carrickmines River and its tributaries. The Ballyogan, Glenamuck and Golf Streams all merge in the vicinity. Downstream at Brennanstown, the river merges with St. Bride’s Stream, from Foxrock, to form the Loughlinstown River, which in turn meets the Bride’s Glen Stream to form the Shanganagh River, which reaches the sea at Killiney Strand.
Leopardstown lies to the northwest, Foxrock to the north, Cornelscourt and Cabinteely to the northeast and Brennanstown to the east, Ballyogan to the west, Glenamuck and Kilternan to the south, and Laughanstown and Lehaunstown to the southeast.
The proposed Natural Heritage Area of ‘Dingle Glen’, a secluded mature broadleaf woodland, lies to the south of Carrickmines.