PUBLIC TRANSPORT

All Photographs Supplied By William Murphy

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THE LUAS FOUR COURTS TRAM STOP

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THERE IS MUCH TO BE SEEN HERE

PUBLIC TRANSPORT PHOTO COLLECTIONS

The Four Courts LUAS stop is a vital transportation hub in Dublin, located on the Red Line. It serves as a gateway to the Four Courts building, the legal heart of Ireland. The stop features two edge platforms integrated into the pavement, allowing for easy access to and from the trams. It is conveniently located on Chancery Street, a major thoroughfare in the city centre. The Four Courts stop provides connections to various bus routes, making it a central point for public transportation in Dublin.

Chancery Street:

Chancery Street is a historic street in Dublin, running parallel to the River Liffey. It is known for its legal and historical significance, housing the Four Courts and other important institutions. The street is primarily used by pedestrians and trams, with limited access for other vehicles. Chancery Street is lined with Georgian buildings, reflecting the architectural heritage of the area. It also offers access to Wood Quay and the offices of Dublin City Council.

The Four Courts:

The Four Courts is Ireland’s most prominent courts building, located on Inns Quay in Dublin. It serves as the principal seat of the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, the High Court, and the Dublin Circuit Court. The building’s neoclassical architecture, designed by James Gandon, is a testament to its historical and cultural significance. The Four Courts has witnessed significant events in Irish history and continues to be a symbol of justice and law in the country.

Hampton by Hilton:

The Hampton by Hilton Dublin Four Courts is a modern hotel located near the Four Courts LUAS stop. It offers comfortable accommodations, convenient amenities, and easy access to the city centre. The hotel’s proximity to the Four Courts and other attractions makes it a popular choice for both business and leisure travellers.

Bridewell Garda Station and Bridewell Courthouse:

The Bridewell Garda Station is a police station located near the Four Courts. It is responsible for maintaining law and order in the surrounding area. The Bridewell Courthouse, adjacent to the station, is a historic building that has served as a court of law for centuries. Both the station and the courthouse are important landmarks in Dublin’s legal and historical landscape.

Chancery Park:

Chancery Park is a small public park located near Chancery Street. It provides a green oasis in the heart of the city, offering a space for relaxation and recreation. The park features benches, pathways, and greenery, making it a popular spot for locals and visitors alike.

REBRANDED DUBLINBIKES BIKES AT DOCKING STATION 04

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PEDAL POWER AT THE FOUR COURTS TRAM STOP

PHOTO COLLECTIONS: PUBLIC TRANSPORT

This docking station serving the Four Courts Tram Stop is on Greek Street across the road from the Hampton by Hilton hotel,

It seems that DublinBikes has rebranded with the new “Pedal Power” logo, but this doesn’t necessarily mean they have a new sponsor.

Here’s what I understand: JCDecaux, the French outdoor advertising giant, is seeking a new brand to take on a €750,000-a-year contract to sponsor the Dublin Bikes scheme. The managing director of JCDecaux’s Irish business, said the company will be going to market this month seeking a “strong partner” for the Dublin Bikes Scheme, which currently has close to 30,000 annual subscribers.

SO I PHOTOGRAPHED THE SPIRIT OF THE DOCKLANDS TURNING ON THE RIVER LIFFEY

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I HAD NOTHING BETTER TO DO

The bright red “Spirit of the Docklands” is a familiar sight gliding along Dublin’s historic River Liffey. Here’s a look at this popular river tour:

What It Is:

Purpose-Built Tour Boat: The “Spirit of the Docklands” is a modern vessel with glass roofing, specifically designed for sightseeing along the Liffey.
Departure Point: It departs from a landing stage at Bachelor’s Walk, a central location in Dublin.
The Route: The cruise takes you from the city centre, downriver past landmarks like the Custom House, under famous bridges, and into the heart of the Docklands area. Then, it turns around at the Grand Canal Basin before returning upstream to its starting point.

The Experience:

History and Sights: Throughout the tour, a guide provides commentary about Dublin’s history, the significance of the Liffey, and specific landmarks and buildings you pass.
Dublin Perspective: It offers a unique view of Dublin from the water, allowing you to see familiar sights from a new angle.
Accessibility: The “Spirit of the Docklands” is wheelchair-accessible and has facilities to accommodate visitors comfortably.

Why It’s Special:

Docklands Focus: This tour is especially interesting for those interested in Dublin’s Docklands area. This once-neglected district has seen major revitalization, and the cruise showcases its transformation into a hub of modern architecture and business.
The Liffey’s Story: The River Liffey is Dublin’s lifeblood. This tour lets you connect with the city’s history through its waterway.

How to Find Out More:

Dublin Docklands Website: https://www.dublindocklands.ie/living-docklands/things-do/sightseeing/liffey-river-cruises
Dublin Discovered Boat Tours: https://dublindiscovered.ie/
Whether you’re a Dublin local or a visitor exploring for the first time, a cruise on the “Spirit of the Docklands” adds a special dimension to your city experience.

ABOUT THE BOAT

Builder: The “Spirit of the Docklands” was built in Sweden by Westers Mekaniska, a reputable boat manufacturer.
Arrival in Dublin: It came to Dublin in June 2005, specifically commissioned for these Liffey tours.
Design: It features a low-profile design with a glass roof that maximises panoramic views for passengers.
Capacity: The boat can carry 50 passengers comfortably.
Accessibility: It’s designed to be wheelchair-accessible.
Semi-Submersible?: Initially , I couldn’t find any information to confirm that the “Spirit of the Docklands” has semi-submersible capabilities. That feature is more common in dedicated underwater touring boats. After further research I obtained the following information:

Here’s how those features enhance the cruise experience:

Variable Ballast Tanks: By adjusting the water in its ballast tanks, the boat can control its buoyancy. This means:

Low Tide Accommodation: The boat can “float high” in shallow waters during low tide, ensuring the tour doesn’t get disrupted by the changing water level.
Passing Under Bridges: At high tide, it can lower its profile significantly, allowing it to navigate under the Liffey’s historic bridges, some of which have a low clearance.
Exceptionally Low Air Draught: This term refers to the vertical space the boat occupies above the waterline. The “Spirit of Docklands” is designed to be as low as possible. This, combined with the ballast tanks, maximises its ability to pass under even the lowest bridges.

Similar Boats:

While the “Spirit of the Docklands” is tailored to Dublin’s Liffey, similar sightseeing boats can be found in other cities with rivers or canals. Here are some types:

Glass-Roofed Boats: Many cities offer river tours on vessels with large windows or glass roofs to provide unobstructed views.
Hop-On, Hop-Off Boats: Some cities operate water-based sightseeing systems where the boats stop at various points along the river, similar to bus tours.
Historic Vessels: Occasionally, refurbished historic boats offer a unique sightseeing experience combined with a connection to the city’s past.

What Makes “Spirit of the Docklands” Special:

Even without the semi-submersible feature, it’s special because:

Docklands Focus: The route highlights Dublin’s Docklands transformation, an area not always covered by other river tours.
Tailored Design: The boat’s design is well-suited to navigating the Liffey, including its lower bridges.
Historical Commentary: The guided commentary adds a layer of depth and historical context to the visual exp

HANOVER QUAY EAST DOCKING STATION 117 AT THE AIRBNB WAREHOUSE HQ BUILDING REF-225479-1

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THERE IS ANOTHER STATION AROUND THE CORNER ON BENSON STREET

For some unknown reason there is no number plate identify this docking station so I decided to explore the user interface and it showed the location as being Station 117 at East Hanover Quay. There is another docking station very close by on Benson Street.

Housed in one of the last remaining warehouse buildings that were so characteristic of the Dublin Dockands, the new EMEA headquarters building for Airbnb is designed as a workspace for 400 people.

Hanover Quay forms the north boundary of the extensive L-shaped docks that terminated the Grand Canal, next to the mouth of the River Dodder. Constructed between 1757 and 1796, the Grand and Royal canals encircle Dublin city centre and provide navigable waterway connections between the Liffey and Shannon rivers. Despite construction of these deep-water docks, ships continued to berth on the Liffey quays and, with the decline of the Grand Canal, the associated docks followed suit.

Despite alterations to the adjacent quays, the calp limestone walls are retained, in addition to other salient features. The scale and quality of construction of the quay and docks are testament to the ambitions of the Grand Canal Company. It forms an important part of the city’s industrial heritage and is an important reminder of the heyday of the canal era, prior to its demise following the arrival of the railway. The district is now largely redeveloped, focusing on the Grand Canal Theatre.