PUBLIC TRANSPORT

All Photographs Supplied By William Murphy

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TODAY I GOT THE 26 BUS AND EXPLORED LUCAN ROAD

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CHAPELIZOD ON THE SOUTH BANK OF THE RIVER LIFFEY

VISIT CHAPELIZOD
VISIT PALMERSTOWN VILLAGE

Exploring Chapelizod and the Origins of “Lucalizod”

I recently took the 26 bus to Chapelizod, a village on the south bank of the River Liffey. My route took me along Lucan Road, the R112 slip road, the Chapelizod Bypass, and eventually Old Lucan Road, ending in beautiful Waterstown Public Park.

The “Lucalizod” Connection

A few weeks ago, I overheard someone say “Lucalizod” on the bus and dismissed it as a mispronunciation of the energy drink Lucozade. However, I later discovered a fascinating connection: James Joyce merged the names of Lucan and Chapelizod into “Lucalizod” within his novel Finnegans Wake.

A Bit About Lucan

Let’s sidetrack for a moment to learn about Lucan. This suburban town in County Dublin lies 12 km west of Dublin’s centre, nestled along the River Liffey. Famous for the Strawberry Beds, Lucan Weir, and the River Griffeen, it straddles South Dublin with parts extending into Fingal. Lucan is easily accessible from the N4 and M50 motorway (Junction 7).

History of Lucan

Lucan’s popularity soared after a sulphurous spa was discovered in 1758. It quickly became a trendy weekend getaway from Dublin, leading to significant development. By 1795, the area boasted a ballroom and hotel. Much of Lucan village dates back to a major redevelopment around 1815. Lucan was even once a terminus of the Dublin city tram line serving both Lucan and Leixlip.

Lucozade Explained

Speaking of mispronunciations, Lucozade is a British soft drink and energy drink brand now owned by Suntory. Originally called “Glucozade”, it was created in 1927 as an energy drink for those feeling unwell and was primarily sold through pharmacies. Its classic slogan, “Lucozade aids recovery”, lingers from this era. In the 1980s, it became popular as a sports drink and is now widely available throughout the UK.

DUBLINBIKES DOCKING STATION 58

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UPPER GRAND CANAL STREET CLOSE TO LOVE LANE

MORE DUBLIN BIKES DOCKING STATIONS

In Temple Bar there is a laneway or an alleyway connecting Essex Street to Dame Street and in recent years I have overheard tour guides incorrectly referring to it as Love Lane when in fact it is Crampton Court. There are two possible reasons the major one being that there is a mural consisting of tiles by Anna Doran and the installation is named “Love Lane”. Also “Love the Lanes” is a joint initiative between Dublin City Council and the Temple Bar Company to bring new life to the back lanes of Temple Bar.

Love Lane is located off Upper Grand Canal Street in Dublin, Ireland. It’s near an apartment complex known as The Northumberlands. The area in general is well-serviced with a variety of amenities and is in close proximity to several notable locations.

For instance, it’s near Mount Street Bridge and the Grand Canal. It’s also within walking distance of Trinity College Dublin, The Aviva Stadium, Grand Canal Dock, the IFSC, Royal College of Surgeons Ireland, RDS Arena, and St. Brigid’s Primary School on Haddington Road.

The area is well-connected with public transport, being on the main bus route to the city from South Dublin and within walking distance of the DART station at Barrow Street and the Docklands. There’s also excellent shopping on nearby Baggot Street, along with an abundance of fine restaurants, hotels, and pubs.

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

ASHTOWN TRAIN STATION ON THE ROYAL CANAL

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PHOTOGRAPHED USING A ZEISS BATIS 135mm LENS

I tried to take advantage of the unusual lighting and multiple reflecting surfaces at the railway station and the fact that I had a Zeiss Batis 135mm lens which compressed the view.

The Dublin-Sligo railway passes through the area and it is served by Ashtown railway station, which opened on 1 August 1902. Stopping at Ashtown is the Western Commuter service, which runs frequently between Maynooth and Pearse Station in the city centre. The area is also served by the 120 Dublin Bus route, which terminates at the railway station, and by the 37, 38, 39 and 70 routes, which pass nearby on the Navan Road.

The Broombridge LUAS Green Line station (adjacent to the railway station) opened in December 2017. A new railway station, called Pelletstown, was opened in September 2021, lying between Broombridge and Ashtown stations.