North Of The River Liffey

EXPLORING DUBBER CROSS AREA AND NEARBY – THE DAY THAT I GOT LOST

November 14, 2024 by infomatique

LEGACY PHOTO COLLECTION 2017

Charlestown was the homeland area name and much of the land there was owned by Mr. Melvin, the farmer. The locals that I encountered remembered the area well when it was all fields and distinctly rural.

In May 2017 I decided to get a bus at random and see where it brought me. I ended up at a place known as Dubber Cross near Charlestown Shopping Centre which is very close to the runways at Dublin Airport. You may notice landing jets in some of the images.

Charlestown Shopping Centre located in the northern end of Finglas. It opened in October 2007 and has two of the centre opened in October 2015. The second phase included a nine screen Odeon cinema and a Leisureplex which includes a Bowling alley and Quasar. However, I decided to explore the local area and to some extent got lost as my camera did not have GPS and my iPhoned had shutdown. To the best of my knowledge I photographed parts of Charlestown, Meakstown and Dubber Cross.

For those unfamiliar, townlands are ancient divisions of land, often with fascinating histories. Meakstown and Dubber Cross, nestled in northwest Dublin, are no exception. Meakstown sits east of the busy N2, while Dubber Cross lies just west, across the road. Both areas have witnessed significant changes over the years, evolving from rural landscapes to suburban neighbourhoods.

Dubber is in the Civil Parish of Santry, in the Barony of Coolock, in the County of Dublin. During my visit I meet a mother and her children and she told me that she was there to show the children their new house which was at the end of the lane. According to Google Maps the name of the lane is ‘Dubber Cottages’ but when I checked the sales information for Dubber House it was described as being located at the end of ‘Dubber Lane’. If her new house is Dubber House it is impressive.

Historically, Meakstown was known as “Baile Maidheac” in Irish, possibly meaning “Mac’s town”. Records show the area was once home to a substantial house and demesne lands, hinting at a more affluent past.

I had been lead to believe that Dubber Cross, derived its name from the Irish “Tobar na Croise” (Well of the Cross), a holy well that once existed nearby. However, after further research I believe that this is incorrect as there is a location named Tubber Cross in Ireland and it’s a village located on the border of County Clare and County Galway. Tubber Cross is known for its historical connections, including a holy well and St. Michael’s Church.

Today, both Meakstown and Dubber Cross are predominantly residential areas. Since my 2017 visit, further development has taken place, with new housing estates and amenities springing up. Despite this modernisation, pockets of green space remain, offering a welcome respite from the urban bustle.

GRIFFITH AVENUE 4 OCTOBER 2024

October 6, 2024 by infomatique

NOW SERVICED BY THE NEW N2 BUS ROUTE

Griffith Avenue

Griffith Avenue, located in Dublin, is renowned for its historical and architectural significance. Designed as a 100-foot wide road, it links Glasnevin (St. Mobhi Road) with Clontarf. One of its unique features is the double row of trees on either side, comprising over 820 trees of ten different varieties. This makes it the longest urban street in the Northern Hemisphere without any commercial premises.

Historical Significance

Naming: Griffith Avenue is named after Arthur Griffith (1871-1922), a prominent Irish writer, newspaper editor, and founder of Sinn Féin. He played a crucial role in the 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty negotiations and served as President of Dáil Éireann in 1922.

Construction: The foundation stone for the houses on Griffith Avenue was laid by Richard Mulcahy, TD, Minister for Local Government and Public Health, on November 26, 1926.

Cultural Sites: The avenue is surrounded by notable sites such as the Marino garden suburb, the O’Brien Institute, High Park Convent, the eighteenth-century Casino at Marino, All Hallows Campus, and Drumcondra Castle.

Modern-Day Relevance

Griffith Avenue remains a cherished local amenity, known for its scenic beauty and historical importance. It is a popular spot for long walks, especially in autumn when the fallen leaves create a picturesque scene.
Keywords

The new N2 Dublin Bus Route, operated by Go-Ahead Ireland, is part of the BusConnects Network Redesign and launched on September 29, 2024. This orbital route connects various key locations across Dublin, providing new connections and interchange opportunities with other TFI bus, rail, and tram services.
Route Details

The N2 route starts at Heuston Station and ends at Clontarf Road Station, covering the following stops:
Heuston Station
Blackhorse Avenue
Nephin Road
Broombridge
Ballyboggan Road
Old Finglas Road
Griffith Avenue
Marino
Clontarf Road Station

Frequency: Weekday Peak Hours: Every 15-20 minutes
Weekends: Every 30 minutes
This frequency ensures that passengers have regular and reliable service throughout the week, making it easier to plan their journeys.

CLONTARF TO CITY CENTRE ROAD PROJECT

October 1, 2024 by infomatique

THE ANNESLEY BRIDGE TO MARINO IS STILL A WORK IN PROGRESS

Clontarf to City Centre Project: Annesley Bridge to Marino

The Clontarf to City Centre (C2CC) Project is a major infrastructure project aimed at improving cycling and bus facilities along a 2.7km route in Dublin. While substantial progress has been made, the section between Annesley Bridge and Marino is still under construction, facing some delays.

Causes for Delay:

Several factors have contributed to the delay in this section:

Utility diversions: Unexpected issues with underground utilities, such as water mains and ESB cables, required complex diversions and slowed down progress.
Covid-19 pandemic: The pandemic caused disruptions to the supply chain and labour availability, impacting the project’s timeline.
Leaving Cert exams: Construction work was paused near Marino College during the Leaving Cert exams to minimise disruption for students.
Expected Completion:

Although initially slated for completion in Q1 2024, the project has faced delays. The current estimated completion is September 2024, with some snagging works potentially extending into 2024.

Changes and Improvements:

The C2CC project has introduced significant changes to the Annesley Bridge to Marino section, including:

Segregated cycle tracks: Continuous, protected cycle tracks have been installed along the route, separated from both vehicular traffic and pedestrians.
Bus priority measures: Bus lanes and priority signals at junctions aim to improve bus journey times and reliability.
Pedestrian improvements: Footpaths have been widened and resurfaced, and new pedestrian crossings have been added.
Public realm enhancements: The project includes the creation of community plazas, new tree planting, and soft landscaping to improve the overall streetscape.
Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS): Incorporating SuDS features like rain gardens and permeable paving to manage surface water runoff and reduce flood risk.
Project Aims and Purpose:

The C2CC project has several key aims:

Promote sustainable transport: Encourage cycling and bus use by providing high-quality infrastructure.
Improve safety: Enhance safety for all road users, particularly cyclists and pedestrians.
Reduce congestion: Improve traffic flow and reduce congestion by prioritising public transport and cycling.
Enhance the urban environment: Create a more attractive and people-friendly public realm.

CHAPELIZOD WEIR APRIL 2024

April 19, 2024 by infomatique

I WAS A BIT DISAPPOINTED BY WHAT I COULD SEE FROM MAIDEN’S ROW

I was a bit disappointed by what I saw.

Apparently the rusted metal and sluice gates that I saw are an important part of the weir but not the whole picture. The next time that I visit I know what else to look for:

The Main Structure: The weir itself is a low, diagonal stone wall built across the River Liffey. It curves gently, and its primary purpose is to control water flow and create a more navigable section of the river.

The Full Sweep: To fully appreciate the weir I need to try to find a vantage point (further upstream might be good) where I can see its entire length stretching across the river.

Upstream from the weir, the water is calmer, almost still, while just downstream there are small rapids and a more turbulent flow.

The Chapelizod Weir has been a fixture on the Liffey for centuries! Here’s a bit of its story:

Early Days: It was likely constructed around 1800, making it over 200 years old. While the exact purpose of the original weir isn’t entirely clear, historians suggest several possibilities:

Navigation: Making the Liffey more navigable for trade vessels.
Industry: Powering mills or other industries in the vibrant village of Chapelizod.
Remnants of the Past: Those rusted sluice gates and metal bits hint at the weir’s industrial past and its original function of controlling water flow.

Why is the Weir Important?

Landscape: The weir contributes significantly to the beauty and character of Chapelizod. The curve of the weir and the way it alters the river’s flow create a visually appealing and unique feature.

Historic Landmark: As a structure from the early 1800s, it’s a testament to the village’s industrial past and how communities interacted with the river.

Ecosystem: Weirs can play a role in the river’s ecology. They can create habitats and help with fish passage (there’s a fish pass at the Chapelizod Weir).

LIFFEY VALLEY PARK AT CHAPELIZOD ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE RIVER

March 28, 2024 by infomatique

ACROSS THE ROAD FROM THE ENTRANCE TO PHOENIX PARK

To the best of my knowledge this public space in Chapelizod is indeed part of a larger envisioned linear park along the River Liffey.

A few years ago I first came across this park but I could not gain access as the gate was locked. Today I had intended to photograph the Magazine Fort in Phoenix Park but got off the 26 bus at the wrong stop so I decided to walk towards Chapelizod and enter the park via the Chapelizod Gate.

Liffey Valley Park, also known as Liffey Vale, is located between Anna Livia Bridge in Chapelizod and the War Memorial Gardens west of Islandbridge.

The park is bound on the north by Chapelizod Road and on the south by the River Liffey, which is the defining aspect of the space. Within 3km of the city centre, Liffey Vale forms a perfect location for formal and informal recreation and is of significant ecological and historical interest.

The park provides an extremely attractive riverside setting to anglers, walkers, cyclists and watersports activities. The unique collection of rowing clubs on the northern bank reflects the national importance of this stretch of the river.

The eastern side of the site comprises of an open plot owned by the Department of Defence which adjoins the derelict building of Liffey Vale and the remnants of its semi walled gardens and orchards.

The eastern boundary comprises of non-native trees and shrubs which border onto playing fields owned by the OPW. This strip of land was historically known as the Long Meadows, which formed part of the original Royal Deer Park until 1680. Much of the Long Meadows were used as allotments in the twentieth century.

Future Plans There are plans for a biodiversity centre to host school tours and visitors, to deliver a new café for the area, and be a hub in Dublin for biodiversity education.

The restoration of the derelict Georgian building and associated gardens of Liffey Vale House & Garden will incorporate interpretation of the River Liffey and the riverine environment, a cafe and bus drop off point, educational outdoor spaces incorporating the existing small wetland and woodland area close by, thereby establishing Liffey Vale as the focal hub for a planned wider valley park route.