AN IMPROMPTU PHOTOGRAPHIC EXPLORATION OF NORTH DUBLIN'S COASTLINE [19 JULY 2025]
AN IMPROMPTU PHOTOGRAPHIC EXPLORATION OF NORTH DUBLIN'S COASTLINE [19 JULY 2025]
Today, I embarked on a photographic outing, eager to test my new Sony A1 II combined with the FE 28-70mm F2 lens. My initial plan was to visit St Anne's Park; however, being a Saturday, it proved to be an oversight. The park was exceptionally busy due to The Red Stables Food Market, which operates every Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm.
As a fallback, I decided to explore the serene nature reserve area accessible via James Larkin Road and Causeway Road. Unfortunately, my plans were curtailed when my camera's battery unexpectedly ran out after only about 220 images. To my dismay, the spare, an original Sony battery, was inexplicably rejected by the camera, bringing my photographic venture to an early close.
Exploring James Larkin Road and Causeway Road
James Larkin Road was officially renamed in 1949. While it's believed the road was originally known as the Clongriffin Road, definitive verification of this has proven difficult. The renaming honours James Larkin for his significant contributions to the Irish Labour Movement.
The Causeway Road is a 2.5-kilometre stretch connecting Clontarf to North Bull Island in Dublin. Constructed in 1962, its primary purpose was to provide vehicular access to the island, as the only previous means of reaching it was by boat. Today, the road is a popular route for walking, running, and cycling, offering stunning panoramic views of Dublin Bay. The Causeway Road is open to vehicles from 6 am to 10 pm, and a car park is available at its end (note that drive-on access to the beach is no longer permitted). While there's a bus stop mentioned at the end of the Causeway Road, I was unable to locate it despite observing buses in the vicinity. It's also a renowned spot for birdwatching.
North Bull Island: A Haven of Nature and History
North Bull Island is a remarkable 5-kilometre long sand spit, rich in biodiversity. It serves as a vital habitat for a variety of wildlife, including numerous bird species, seals, and fish. Beyond its ecological importance, the island is a favoured location for swimming, sunbathing, and fishing.
A Legacy of Engineering: The Creation of North Bull Island
The very existence of North Bull Island is intrinsically linked to Dublin's long-standing struggle with silting in Dublin Bay, particularly at the mouth of the River Liffey. For centuries, primitive dredging methods were employed to maintain a clear channel. A significant engineering effort began in 1715 with the driving of the first piles for what would become the Great South Wall, eventually completed in 1730. However, this barrier was breached by storms years later.
In 1761, construction of a stone pier commenced, extending from the Poolbeg Lighthouse (completed in 1768) back to the shore. This monumental undertaking, built with massive granite blocks, was finished in 1795. During this period, the idea of a North Bull Wall was also proposed. When it became clear that the South Wall alone hadn't resolved the silting problem, the authorities responsible for Dublin Port commissioned further studies. Notably, Captain William Bligh, famous for the Mutiny on the Bounty, surveyed Dublin Bay for the Ballast Board in 1801. He highlighted the potential of the existing North Bull sandbank, recognising that a wall there could help clear the sandbar through a process known as Venturi action, where the narrowing of the channel increases water flow and scouring.
To facilitate the construction of this new stone wall, a wooden bridge, the first Bull Bridge, was erected in 1819. Based on a design by Ballast Board engineer George Halpin, the construction of the Bull Wall began in 1820 and was completed in 1825 at a cost of £95,000.
Over the subsequent 48 years, the natural tidal effects generated by these two walls dramatically deepened the entry to the Liffey, increasing it from 1.8 metres to 4.8 metres. Much of the silt scoured from the river's course was naturally deposited on the North Bull, leading to the gradual emergence of a true island. This burgeoning landmass soon attracted visitors to its growing beach. The volume of visitors further increased with the introduction of horse tram services to Clontarf in 1873, and even more so with the laying of a full tram line to Howth, which opened in 1900, with convenient stops in the Clontarf/Dollymount area. A Coast Guard station was also established at the landward end of the Bull Wall. A lighthouse still stands proudly on the North Bull Wall today.
Today, I embarked on a photographic outing, eager to test my new Sony A1 II combined with the FE 28-70mm F2 lens. My initial plan was to visit St Anne's Park; however, being a Saturday, it proved to be an oversight. The park was exceptionally busy due to The Red Stables Food Market, which operates every Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm.
As a fallback, I decided to explore the serene nature reserve area accessible via James Larkin Road and Causeway Road. Unfortunately, my plans were curtailed when my camera's battery unexpectedly ran out after only about 220 images. To my dismay, the spare, an original Sony battery, was inexplicably rejected by the camera, bringing my photographic venture to an early close.
Exploring James Larkin Road and Causeway Road
James Larkin Road was officially renamed in 1949. While it's believed the road was originally known as the Clongriffin Road, definitive verification of this has proven difficult. The renaming honours James Larkin for his significant contributions to the Irish Labour Movement.
The Causeway Road is a 2.5-kilometre stretch connecting Clontarf to North Bull Island in Dublin. Constructed in 1962, its primary purpose was to provide vehicular access to the island, as the only previous means of reaching it was by boat. Today, the road is a popular route for walking, running, and cycling, offering stunning panoramic views of Dublin Bay. The Causeway Road is open to vehicles from 6 am to 10 pm, and a car park is available at its end (note that drive-on access to the beach is no longer permitted). While there's a bus stop mentioned at the end of the Causeway Road, I was unable to locate it despite observing buses in the vicinity. It's also a renowned spot for birdwatching.
North Bull Island: A Haven of Nature and History
North Bull Island is a remarkable 5-kilometre long sand spit, rich in biodiversity. It serves as a vital habitat for a variety of wildlife, including numerous bird species, seals, and fish. Beyond its ecological importance, the island is a favoured location for swimming, sunbathing, and fishing.
A Legacy of Engineering: The Creation of North Bull Island
The very existence of North Bull Island is intrinsically linked to Dublin's long-standing struggle with silting in Dublin Bay, particularly at the mouth of the River Liffey. For centuries, primitive dredging methods were employed to maintain a clear channel. A significant engineering effort began in 1715 with the driving of the first piles for what would become the Great South Wall, eventually completed in 1730. However, this barrier was breached by storms years later.
In 1761, construction of a stone pier commenced, extending from the Poolbeg Lighthouse (completed in 1768) back to the shore. This monumental undertaking, built with massive granite blocks, was finished in 1795. During this period, the idea of a North Bull Wall was also proposed. When it became clear that the South Wall alone hadn't resolved the silting problem, the authorities responsible for Dublin Port commissioned further studies. Notably, Captain William Bligh, famous for the Mutiny on the Bounty, surveyed Dublin Bay for the Ballast Board in 1801. He highlighted the potential of the existing North Bull sandbank, recognising that a wall there could help clear the sandbar through a process known as Venturi action, where the narrowing of the channel increases water flow and scouring.
To facilitate the construction of this new stone wall, a wooden bridge, the first Bull Bridge, was erected in 1819. Based on a design by Ballast Board engineer George Halpin, the construction of the Bull Wall began in 1820 and was completed in 1825 at a cost of £95,000.
Over the subsequent 48 years, the natural tidal effects generated by these two walls dramatically deepened the entry to the Liffey, increasing it from 1.8 metres to 4.8 metres. Much of the silt scoured from the river's course was naturally deposited on the North Bull, leading to the gradual emergence of a true island. This burgeoning landmass soon attracted visitors to its growing beach. The volume of visitors further increased with the introduction of horse tram services to Clontarf in 1873, and even more so with the laying of a full tram line to Howth, which opened in 1900, with convenient stops in the Clontarf/Dollymount area. A Coast Guard station was also established at the landward end of the Bull Wall. A lighthouse still stands proudly on the North Bull Wall today.