A dog's paw: Dog walks near Dublin
Showing posts with label Dog walks near Dublin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dog walks near Dublin. Show all posts

Monday, September 23, 2013

Dog walks: enniskerry - woodland walk

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Maybe is the best walk of the last few months!

I went there with two friends and three dogs on a saturday morning.
On the M50 it took us less than 30 minutes to get there.
There are many walks in Enniskerry and we did the Woodland Walk.

Some problems to find a parking space, as we were not familiar with the area, we parked in the town, but we discovered after that there is a parking space at the entrance of the walk.

It is a beautiful walk in the forest, a lot of plants and a river (Glencullen river) for the doggies to swim and cool down.

The three doggies have been running in the forest for few hours, as the place is quite big and you will not be bored to discover new paths.
The walk that we did was circular, with two bridges on the river.
We met few people there and we stopped for a while in a beautiful area to drink and give the dogs something to eat.

You can find on these websites more information about the place, I am not very familiar, but I hope to go there soon!

http://wicklowcountywalks.com/knocksink.html

http://www.wicklowtourism.ie/village-guide/enniskerry-wicklow.html

http://enniskerry.ie/




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Thursday, September 19, 2013

Dog walks: Bull Island

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Another beautiful place for a nice walk near Dublin is Bull Island, just 4 miles from the city center.
The sandy beach is called Dollymount Strand and it's long approx 5 km!!!


The island is designated as a UNESCO Biosphere reserve and is also classified as a Wetland of International importance under the Ramsar Convention.


The island is connected to the mainland by the Bull Bridge at the southern (Clontarf/Dollymount) end, and by a broad causeway at Raheny.
Usually I drive from Clontarf road heading to the Golf club / visitor centre.
There is parking space and there you have the chance to walk through the dunes or on the beautiful beach!

There is plenty of space to let you dog running and have fun, please respect the wildlife and the environment!

The first time I went there I have been walking on the beach.. for hours! You can see in the photos Jago running and jumping down from the dunes just behind the beach.

Last Sunday we have been walking with a friend and her 2 dogs on the dunes and was beautiful as well, I think that Jago enjoyed even more!
And you can see a fantastic double rainbow to create a nice atmosphere!

From another website "Bull Island is a A 300 hectare island in Dublin Bay formed after the construction of the Bull Wall in the 1820's. It is now a Nature Reserve and Bird Sanctuary of international importance with up to 25.000 wading birds using the area in Winter"


How to Get There by bus:
30, 31 from Lower Abbey Street.

Visitors Centre is open 7 days a week, 10.00am-4.30pm.


 
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Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Walk for Greyhounds

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Saturday 21st September in Merrion Square there will be the 3d walk for Greyhound.
It is a walks organized to promote greyounds as pets and raise awareness of greyhound welfare issues.
The meeting is at 12 in Merrion Square Park and the walk will begin at 1.15 and will take 1 and half hours.

More information on the facebook page https://www.facebook.com/grai.ie
I will go with Jago and Buddy!!


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Saturday, September 14, 2013

Dog walks: Portmarnock beach

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Another beach where we started to go often is Portmarnock beach.
Portmarnock is on the coast between Malahide and Baldoyle, approx 15 km from Dublin city centre.
There is a big public car park and the town is served by the No. 32B and No. 42 bus service from Dublin City Centre, with a bus stop right at the beach!

The beach is very big as  you can see on the map so if it's a sunny day and there are too many people it's not difficult to find a spot where you can let the dog off leash and don't annoy children or people walking there.

The Velvet Strand is a long sandy beach, approximately 5 km in length, consisting of a large sandy dune area.
It would be better to let the dog play on the beach and not on the dunes as I read we should protect the dunes from erosion.

Here the photos of yesterday walk with Buddy and Jago.
They met few friendly dogs and they had a lot of fun running in the water and playing with the ball!

Here the rules of dogs on Fingal beaches:

Dogs On Beaches - http://www.fingalcoco.ie/Environment/BeachesinFingal/DogsOnBeaches/
During the period 1st June to 31st August in any year persons shall be allowed bring a dog onto, or allow a dog under his or her control to remain on the beach/foreshore

(i) under adequate personal control, before the hours of 11.00am and after the hours of 6.00pm
(ii) to be on a leash in all Reserved Bathing Areas (as defined in Schedule 2) between the hours of 11.00am and 6.00pm.

Persons in charge of a dog on the beach shall ensure the following:
- It is on a leash or under adequate control
- It is not causing annoyance to any person using the beach or worrying, chasing, injuring or disturbing any animals, birds or other creatures on the beach
- Removal of its faeces and depositing it in a litter bin or other receptacle which may be designated for this purpose. (Guide dogs for the blind are exempt from this bye-law as also are dogs kept by An Garda Siochana and wholly used by a member of An Garda Siochana in the execution of his/her duty).
-  Every person bringing a dog onto the beach area shall be responsible and liable for any damage or injury to property or persons which may be caused by it.


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Monday, September 2, 2013

Bark in the Park - phoenix park - saturday 7th september

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Next Saturday there will be the 4th and last Bark in the Park 2013.
Bark in the Park is a sponsored dog walk to raise funds in aid of the work of The Irish Blue Cross animal welfare charity.

There will be a walk (dog on leash) and a raffle, music, goody bags (sponsored by Maxi Zoo) and prizes for the dog with the Best Bark, Shiniest Coat, Happiest Smile and Waggiest Tail

I have been at the 1st Bark in the Park in St. Annes Park and it has been a very nice experience!
The sun was shining and a lot of dogs were there!
I met a lot of new people, new doggies and Jago had the chance to play with many new friends!

It's very good to know that we can have a nice day out and in the same time help a good organization like the Irish Blue Cross.
The Irish Blue Cross is an animal welfare charity that provides low-cost veterinary services for people on a low income around Dublin.

You can find more information here http://www.bluecross.ie/  and here http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Irish-Blue-Cross/159508547395141

More details about Bark in the Park and photogallery of the previous events are here
http://www.barkinthepark.ie/

Saturday 7h at 3pm - Phoenix park, Dublin
Starting point: At the junction of Chesterfield Avenue and Ordnance Survey Road, near the Castleknock Road entrance

The route will be a 4km walk, will start at 3pm and will take approximately 30 – 45 minutes.
At the end every person registered will receive a doggy bag!


Will you be there?
Spread the voice to help the Irish Blue Cross!

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Monday, August 26, 2013

Dog walks: Tolka valley park

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I found that there are so many dog walks near Dublin!
Enjoying the nice Irish summer I brought my dog to many different places in the last couple of months.
Tolka valley park is one of them.

It has been quite difficult to find where it was and where to park my car!
Actually I parked at the Blanchardstown shopping center and I had to walk toward the N3/M50 entrance to find the gate for Tolka Valley Park.
I am sure there will be other accesses but I didn't find them on any website.

If you know one of them please feel free to add it in the comments!



Tolka valley is a linear park that run alongside the Tolka river and incorporates 300 acres of grassland.
It was very nice to see the change of landscape, between the big shopping center, N3 the work in progress on the road with big machines... and the quiet paths along the river, the small animals, the dogs and people jogging.
It was a Sunday morning when Jago and me went discovering this place.


Obviously he had good fun in the river, he loves water and the fetch the ball in the water :)
He also loves running on small paths when he can go to discover the "forest", but also open areas are good for sniffing :)

We met other dog owners and he could have a good run and play time with them.

Unfortunately it started raining so we couldn't explore the whole park, only a small part, but I am planning to go back again.


From the fingal website:
" The park is home to a rich variety of animal and plant species such as otters, kingfishers, dippers, bats, cowslips and willows . 
* The park offers a diverse, natural and tranquil landscape which is great for walking and jogging and the river supports an abundance of brown trout, providing for some good fishing." 

How to get to Tolka Valley Park?

N3 from Dublin to Navan, exit Blanchardstown.
Car park at the Blanchardstown shopping centre.
I hope to find new car park and entrance.
By BUS, Busses 38 and 39 from O'Connell Street, Dublin to Blanchardstown.

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Sunday, August 25, 2013

Dog walks: Ticknock wood

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We are part of  Dublin dog meetup group.
Every saturday we go to a different place and that allows me to discover new dog walks!

Ticknock forest is on the Dublin mountains, 30 minutes far from the city centre.

We met on a Sunday morning at the car park with the other doggies at 12.
The 3 crazy dogs of the group started running and playing, it is safe to leave them off lead and we didn't have problems with the people we met.

The route is very nice, you can follow the main road, big and safe or go on some lateral smaller paths.
There are scenic points with a beautiful view on the coast, Bray and Dublin.
We did a circle, about 90 minutes walk, a bit uphill but not difficult.
There were parts with water where the dogs had a lot of fun.
There are no dangerous cliffs and the dogs can enjoy, explore and run free!
 You can find more information here http://www.dublinmountains.ie/index.php?id=135










At the end of the walk we had some coffee and drinks at the local pub, with an outdoor area where dogs where allowed!
Definitely a nice dog walk, I will go there again and explore new routes! 

Parking Info:
Please use the car park facilties provided and do not block local resident's access along the public road.
Car park closes: 16:00 Nov-March; 20:00 April-Oct
Parking fee price: None

How do I get there?

From the city centre, head for Marlay Park via Rathfarnham. Passing the main entrance to the Park on your right, turn right at Ballinteer, St John's GGA Club and, following the road around the edge of the Park, turn left at the Taylor’s Grange junction onto the R113. Take the second turn on the right and this will bring you to the entrance to Tiknock forest. 

Tiknock Forest Entrance @53.255695,-6.251113


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Sunday, August 18, 2013

Dog Walks - St. Catherine's Park

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*** UPDATE ***
Now there is an enclosed area in the park!
Finally also dogs with no recall can run free and socialize with their friends!
***************

Another beautiful dog walk where I bring Jago often is St. Catherine's Park.


It is a very nice and big park between Lucan and Leixlip.

In the main entrance there is a public car park with enough spaces and toilette.

The park is 200 acres and has many different areas.
In the southern part there is a "woodland walk" that Jago really loves.
And after running he loves to stop for a swim in the river.
In the northern part there are more open grass areas and sport pitches.
I never had problems leaving Jago running free, obviously taking care if there are kids / dog on leash and cleaning after him!
There is a "dog run", but to be honest is very small and not well maintained.

It's a nice place for running / rollerblading / cycling.
There are also all the fitness outdoor equipment!

St. Catherine's Park Opening times
November, December January 9am –5pm
February, March 9am –6pm

April 9am –7pm

May 9am –8pm

June, July, August, 9am –9pm

September 9am –8pm

October 9am –7pm


I am going there few times a week now. I am bringing my bike and Jago is running after me.
We always meet friendly dogs, it's a good opportunity for exercising and socializing!

I will add more photos of the woodland area soon!


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Friday, August 16, 2013

Dog walks - Malahide beach

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One of the first Jago’s walk has been Malahide beach!

malahide beachHe was only a 3 months old puppy and it has been fantastic watching him enjoying and discovering the water!
Since then we are going to Malahide beach often.

Malahide village is 16 km from Dublin, on the North side.
I usually go by car, there is a free public parking with a lot of space.
The town is served also by the DART and some buses going there (42, 32 if I am not wrong).

There is a nice coastal walk from Malahide town to the beach, however you will need to keep the walk on leash because the path is near the road.

During the weekend if the weather is nice there could be many people on the beach, but there is a lot of space so I never had problem leaving Jago running free!



dogs malahide


We always meet other dogs, so Jago can socialize and play with them!
He learnt swimming after a while, and now he really run into the water as soon as we arrive there.







dog in malahide





He loves as well the sand dunes.
He starts walking, running, sniffing, hiding and discovering things around.










The funny thing is that after his swim he rolls in the sand... like a breaded dog!!








I will post later more information about Malahide and our review about Malahide park and Castle!

Have you been there? Do you have any suggestion / story to tell us?



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