New year, new feature… Welcome to the first instalment of Explorer Beastie’s Dublin!
Explorer Beastie had a bit of a quiet year in 2015…
… So we thought that it would be fun for both of us to get out a little more, and show you the hidden corners of our city from a Beastie’s-eye point of view!
Yesterday was a beautiful sunny day, so we scrapped our original plans for an indoor adventure and made for the canal instead. There are two canals in Dublin’s city centre, the Grand Canal in the south and the Royal Canal in the north, and both canals eventually link up with the River Shannon in the west, via a whole string of towns and villages throughout Ireland’s midlands. The Grand Canal is nearer Beastie Towers though, so that’s where we headed.
The first part of our route was along the side of a busy road (boooo!) but once you pass the top of Clanbrassil Street Upper there’s a pedestrian path along one side of the canal, which makes for a much more peaceful walk… and better photos!
There’s plenty of wildlife to see along the canal banks – we spotted mallard ducks, mute swans, moorhens and a couple of different species of gulls.
Explorer Beastie even tried to make friends with one of the swans…
… With limited success.
Never mind, there’s much more to see…
… And sunny streets to explore!
This canal is still in use, and the working lock gates along the way break the waterway into smaller sections, each with its own distinct character!
This stretch beside The Barge pub is especially popular – it looks quiet now, but you should see it in the summer! On a warm evening, you’d think half the city had turned out to enjoy a pint by the water’s edge!
And further along, this wall usually has some interesting graffiti to look at…
We carried on past the top of Leeson Street, right in the city centre. A perfect chance to sit on an old bench and admire the view…
…Before heading to one of our favourite cafés for a sandwich and a warming cup of tea!
Remind us to take you there sometime…
We’ll be back with another slice of Dublin life in a couple of weeks. In the meantime, you can find out more about the Grand Canal here – this site lists all kinds of interesting canal-based activities, including walking tours, food markets and dinner cruises. Or if there’s anywhere you think we should visit, let us know in the comments!
Great Post
Thank you! Cheers for dropping in to visit the Beasties 😀
welcome. Have a great weekend.
Thanks, you too 😀
welcome
Hi there,
I love your blog and photos and it was great to see the monsters at the christmas markets.
Diarmuid
Hello again! Thanks for stopping by… I’ll have to go and check out your site now! Hope you had a great Christmas, all the best for 2016 😀
Okay, adding this to my Dublin to-do list (which I have a feeling is going to end up being a very long list).
Hahaha! Don’t worry, the Beasties will do the research so you don’t have to… All you’ll need to do is pick your favourites!
What a lovely tour of the Grand Canal. I can tell it’s cold out there but I had a great time with Beastie. I also have problems making friends with swans so please don’t get discouraged. That sandwich looks tasty, too. Stay warm until we meet again. xo
Thank you! That was a goooood sandwich, and the cinnamon bun I had afterwards (it’s hiding behind Explorer Beastie in the photo) was even better! Cold weather walks are definitely the best… I love piling on all my handknits and enjoying the cosiness. Thanks for stopping by!
Have a great Saturday. xo
Cheers m’dear, enjoy yours too! 😀
Glad you managed a trip out… they have been few and far between with all the rain here in west Wales and I’m sure it’s been the same for you and the beasties… waterproofs required all round for some time more, I fear.
Yes, it’s been pretty wet and miserable here too… I think this might have been the first blink of sunshine we’ve had all year! Hopefully you’ve managed to keep your own heads above water, I hear some parts of the UK have had a really tough couple of weeks. What have the Snails got planned for 2016, I wonder?
Thanks for the Tour Explorer Beastie, it looks like you had the perfect day for it! We were in Dublin last year but didn’t get chance to see the Canals. We were staying near St. Stephens Green, I would love to know about more about the park if you happen to pass it on your travels!
Good shout, I love walking through St Stephen’s Green at any time of the year! You actually weren’t too far from the Canal there either, it’s only about 10 minutes walk… But it does take you away from where all the museums, bars and shops are! At least you’ll know for your next visit 😀
Yes, I do hope to go back one day, we were only there for the weekend and it wasn’t long enough!
At least if you’re in the UK it’s only a short hop away 😀 And Dublin definitely deserves another look… I’ve been here 15 years and I’m still finding new things to see and do!
Very true 😄 I would love to revisit, we had a full agenda of things to do when we were there so didn’t get chance to explore or sit back and soak up the atmosphere.
It’s so easy to rush around trying to get “value for money” out of a short trip, isn’t it? But Dublin is a great place for idle dawdling (I should know 😉), especially if you book your visit outside peak times. For a lazy Dublin holiday, avoid high summer, Christmas and of course St Patrick’s day!
WOW you photos are soooo brilliant I almost felt like I was there in person, I love your mini tours no wonder you took full advantage of the sun xx
Awww, thank you! Anytime I have an excuse to take a detour and walk along the canal, I always do… So it was great to share this part of the city with everybody!
Haha, nice post! Brings me back.
Thanks! It was great to take advantage of a rare sunny day and visit one of my favourite places in Dublin. Have you spent time around this area yourself?
Hi, not that specific spot but I grew up in Blanchardstown
(Sorry, hit ‘send’ too quickly). I enjoyed many pleasant walks along the canal between B and Castleknock, also city centre (Leeson Street etc). So, nice memories revived by ur post. Thx!!
Ha! Oh, if I had a penny for every time I cursed how close the “send” and “delete” buttons are… Anyway, glad I could remind you of happy Dublin times. I’ll have to venture further upstream sometime!
I know, right? I’ve done it a few times now and it’s soo irritating. Oh well. Love the Beasties! great fun and beautifully made.
I’m just glad to hear I’m not the only one 😆 Thanks for your comments, I still get such a kick out of finishing a new Beastie and taking them out for adventures!
You are welcome, the concept is fun and the handwork great. Great job!