Poolbeg and Sandymount Strand Dublin

I can’t believe my luck! Just when Austria was being blanketed in deep snow, we flew to Dublin, arriving to mild January weather. Naturally enough, we headed straight for the sea. This time the Oldies brought me to Sandymount Strand, an old stomping ground of theirs, but one they hadn’t visited in years.

The soft, lapping ripples in this sheltered bay are certainly a sharp contrast to the crashing waves of the Atlantic shores of the west of Ireland and Portugal. It’s a haven not only for gulls and terns, but also for dozens of other seabirds, especially waders. I was quite dizzy from watching so many turnstones, oystercatchers, sanderlings and bar-tailed godwits scurrying about in the sands.

Yes, it’s no wonder that Sandymount Strand is so popular with the birds. And the humans. And their dogs. When the tide is out, there are endless stretches of hard-packed sand to walk or run along. It’s a grand spot for a bit of sport. I even saw a couple of people doing a bit of golf and hurling practice. Well, with all that wide open space, I don’t suppose there’s much danger of clocking anyone with a golf ball or sliotar (leather hurling ball).

I’ve often thought that the Oldies were round the bend. Today, they did go round the bend. Once we had reached the north end of the beach at Sean Moore Park, they continued out towards Poolbeg Generating Station. Interesting choice, I thought, but sure as long as we were by the sea, I didn’t mind!

Now, love them or hate them, there is no disputing that the Poolbeg Generating Station chimneys have become an integral part of the Dublin skyline. Dublin just wouldn’t be Dublin anymore without them. They’ve even featured prominently in a U2 video (Pride) for goodness sake!

Her Ladyship is not a U2 fan, but she’s is a big fan of the chimney stacks. She is even proud to admit that she can remember a time when there was only one chimney at Poolbeg Generating Station. Hmmm, let’s check. Gosh, the first was commissioned in 1971, the second one in 1974, which makes … Herself even more ancient than I’d thought!

As a seagull, I’m with the old woman, I mean, Her Ladyship on this. What gull wouldn’t give his right wing for a perch on one of those 207m high chimney stacks?

Anyway, it is no wonder that there was uproar a few years ago when it emerged that, after being decommissioned in 2010, the Poolbeg chimneys were to be demolished. Thanks to a campaign to save these Dublin landmarks, the ESB (Electricity Supply Board) decided to reconsider. It looks like the beloved stacks are here to stay.

I was pleased to see that the grassland around the old and new power stations serves as a feeding area to my old friends, the light-bellied Brent geese. These intrepid northerners make the 8,000 km journey from Arctic Canada to Ireland every winter, travelling at speeds of up to 90 km/h, would you believe. Wouldn’t it be great if they could earn air miles like the Oldies do?

We also spotted the old Pigeon House Generating Station (commissioned in 1903) which predates the Poolbeg power station. I was so proud of the fact that such an important building was named after my fellow feathered friends, but Her Ladyship soon set me straight. Originally a hotel, it was simply called after the owner, a certain Mr Pigeon. Pity. I wonder, though, if there are any aspiring hotel owners by the name of Mr Seagull…

Over the years, this basically industrial area has become more and more a public amenity, what with the shore walkway with its stunning views of Dublin Bay, Irishtown Nature Park and beautiful Shellybanks Beach. But do you think His Lordship was able to find a public toilet anywhere? He had to resort to taking a sidestep to do a ‘tree wee’. As his went about his business, he realised that someone had decorated the tree with Christmas baubles. Afterwards, he sheepishly admitted to Herself that he’s just had his first ‘Christmas tree wee’. By the sea.

Sadly, there are also very few rubbish bins along the last 3 km stretch we had covered. I counted two, to be exact. I was quite shocked by the amount of litter lying around .

Perhaps that’s why on the way home I found myself humming, not U2’s ‘Pride’, but the Dubliners’ ‘Dirty Old Town’.