PUBLIC TRANSPORT

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William Murphy

CHERRYWOOD LUAS TRAM STOP -223582-1

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THE GREEN LINE

Location

Cherrywood Development: The Cherrywood LUAS stop is located within the Cherrywood development, a large-scale urban project in South Dublin, Ireland.

Luas Green Line: It’s a stop on the Green Line of the Dublin light rail system, providing a key connection for Cherrywood residents to the wider Dublin region.

Proximity to Landmarks: The stop is situated near Tully Park, various residential developments within Cherrywood, and the developing commercial areas.

Features

Two Platforms: The Cherrywood stop consists of two side platforms, serving northbound and southbound Luas trams on the Green Line.

Modern Amenities: Like other Luas stops, it includes ticket vending machines, real-time passenger information displays, and shelters.

Accessibility: The stop is designed with accessibility in mind, including features for those
with mobility impairments.

Role in Development

Critical Transport Link: The Cherrywood stop provides essential connectivity for the growing Cherrywood community. It connects residents to jobs, education, and leisure activities throughout Dublin.

Sustainable Transport: The Luas is an environmentally friendly mode of transport, and the stop encourages its use over cars, contributing to Cherrywood’s sustainability goals.

Catalyst for Growth: Accessible public transport is a key factor in attracting residents and businesses. The Luas link has been influential in the development of Cherrywood.

Connections & Destinations

Northbound: The Luas from Cherrywood travels towards Broombridge, with stops including Sandyford, Stillorgan, Dundrum, and the City Centre (St. Stephen’s Green, Harcourt, Marlborough, etc.)

Southbound: The tram journeys towards the terminus at Brides Glen, serving the Carrickmines area.

Future Development:

There are proposals to extend the Luas Green Line further from Brides Glen, which would impact the Cherrywood stop and potentially provide additional destinations and connectivity.

Resources

Luas Website: Find timetables, routes, and other information on the official Luas website: https://luas.ie/
Cherrywood Development: Learn more about the Cherrywood development, including transport aspects, on their website
Transport for Ireland: Stay up-to-date on any Luas Green Line extension plans: https://www.transportforireland.ie/

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.

ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE GOOGLE BUILDING ON GRAND CANAL STREET

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DUBLINBIKES DOCKING STATION 14

Google employees will be able to cycle to and from work as there is a DublinBikes docking station across the street from their workplace.

I have not visited this area for a few years and today I was surprised to discover that the Treasury Building is currently a construction site.

When I returned from California in the 1980s I lived at the corner of Eblana Villas and Lower Grand Canal Street and at the time the building was the Hertz HQ in Ireland. There were three apartments but mine was the only one that was occupied. I think that the building is now named Wentworth House and it may have been home to a language college. I was offered all three apartments at a very good price but decided against buying as there was serious anti-social activity in the immediate area.

Google bought the Treasury Building from Ronan Group Real Estate for €120 million in early 2020 to further expand their Silicon Docks campus which is nearby. In February 2022 Dublin City Council granted planning permission to Google Ireland to increase the height of the building from six to eight storeys.

The Treasury Building was the headquarters of the Irish government’s National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) for many years. Redeveloped by Ronan Group, the Treasury Building was described as a landmark six-storey Grade A office building that previously housed Boland’s Bakery. This historic building was occupied by Éamon de Valera, later President of Ireland, during the 1916 Easter Rising.

Following its purchase in 1984, a major redevelopment saw the building stripped back to its concrete framed structure and reimagined for a new commercial future with the first 20,000 sq ft floorplates ever delivered in the Irish market.

Rowan Gillespie was commissioned to create a sculpture for the outside wall of the building. The statue, named ‘Aspiration’, was originally of a naked man climbing the outside wall, but Johnny Ronan insisted that the sculpture be changed to a woman. The statue was made of fibreglass. The sculpture was removed in 2020 when the building was sold.

CONNOLLY TRAIN STATION [REF-226008-1]

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DECEMBER 2023

Connolly Station, also known as Dublin Connolly, is the busiest railway station in Ireland, serving as a vital hub for both domestic and international travel [is a train every two hours to Belfast international travel?]. Situated in the heart of Dublin city centre, the station is a bustling gateway to Ireland’s rich history, culture, and natural beauty.