Showing posts with label Dublin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dublin. Show all posts

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Dalkey Island (Deilginis)

Open KML file to view Dalkey Island in Google Earth!

Dalkey Island is an island located 300m offshore from Dalkey (Deilginis), a coastal suburb south-east of Dublin City Centre. The Irish name Deilginis means 'Thorn Island'. The island is thorn-shaped and this is from which Dalkey acquired its name. There are no hiking trails as such on the island but due to its small size it is easy to explored without any guidance.

There are a number of ancient remains on the island with the ruins of St. Begnet's Church (7th century) and a Martello Tower being the most historic ones. Martellos are small defensive forts that were built during the 19th century and used for coastal defence against a potential invasion during the Napoleonic era. The Martello Tower on Dalkey Island is one of the most remote towers in the former British Empire.


View Dalkey Island in a larger map


Friday, February 29, 2008

Great Sugar Loaf Mountain (Ó Cualann)

Open KML file to view Great Sugar Loaf Mountain in Google Earth!

Great Sugar Loaf Mountain (Ó Cualann) arises at the verge of the Wicklow Mountains, just south of Bray. The combination of its conical tip and its isolation from other hills makes the Great Sugar Loaf one of Ireland's most distinctive peaks. His overall shape reminds of a volcano and though it is only 503m high, it appears much taller due to its height relative to the surrounding landscape.



The end of the trail is adventurous because hikers need to climb the last 50m to reach the summit. However, they will be rewarded with spectacular views to Howth, Powerscourt Estate, the Wicklow Mountains and over Killiney Bay.


View Great Sugar Loaf Mountain in a larger map


Thursday, January 17, 2008

Glendalough (Gleann dá Loch)

Open KML fileView to view Glendalough and Wicklow Way in Google Earth!

Glendalough (Gleann dá Loch, 'Valley of the Two Lakes') is one of the most important monastic sites in Ireland.

It's located in the Wicklow Mountains, located south-west of Dublin.

Two of the best hiking trails around Glendalough are Spinc Trail and the multi-day hike Wicklow Way.


View Wicklow Mountain National Park in a larger map