Wicklow Head Walk

Leaving Wicklow Golf Club behind we make our way south along the cliff walk towards Wicklow Head.  It's not the safest of walks, with lots of rough ground to navigate but the rewards are great with some of the most spectacular views on the Wicklow coast.

Off To Work

Early morning, and the trawler Gennesaret turns around to make her way out of Wicklow Harbour for another day's whelking.

Nice Setting

Yes, a nice setting for a game of golf as we negotiate the narrow cliff walk south to Wicklow Head taking in the views of Wicklow Golf Club which runs alongside this spectacular stretch of coastline.

Did You Know?

Well, the dogs on the street know!  The dog on the left looks wistfully back at this old and romantic picture of Greystones Harbour on the newly erected hoarding around the development.

Since our last visit back in November for the Developer's Open Day, everything has come to a halt and all plant, machinery and workers removed from the site.  We're now in NAMA-NAMA land - well,  NAMA, the National Asset Management Agency, now own the development loans for the project. The developers, SISPAR, have presented a business plan to NAMA for funding of the next phase, namely, the medical centre, 11 apartments, a car park and five community structures.  How this pans out will determine whether or not the hoarding could be removed and partial access to the harbour area allowed although some more work is needed before the harbour and piers are safe for the public.

In the meantime, because it's still a building site the hoarding has to stay, but we do have access to the main slipway!

St Patrick's Day X

The 10th straight day at the Bray St Patrick's Day Parade and maybe this is a good time to bring it to a conclusion.  So without further ado I give you the Fire Performers to take us out in a blaze of glory!

St Patrick's Day IX

Getting near the end of Bray St Patrick's Day Parade with Bray Wheelers cycling club.

St Patrick's Day VIII

 

Slightly smoky today at Bray St Patrick's Day Parade as the bikers hit town.

St Patrick's Day VII

Day 7 and our view of the Bray St Patrick's Day Parade continues with the boys, girls and dog of the Bray Beaver Scouts as they amble past the review stand.

St Patrick's Day VI

Still in Bray, Co Wicklow for yet more photos from the St Patrick's Day Parade and today it's the girls from the Pauline Fegan School of Irish Dancing and their amazing wigs!

St Patrick's Day V

Today we continue our review of the Parade in Bray, Co Wicklow and, this time, the focus is on the children of the Chinese Irish Cultural Academy.

St Patrick's Day IV

We continue our review of the St Patrick's Day Parade in Bray, Co Wicklow with this look at the Rochdale Boomerang Marching Band.

St Patrick's Day III

We're still under the reviewing stand at the St Patrick's Day Parade in Bray, Co Wicklow, and it's time for some fun from the guys and girls from the Mermaid Arts Centre.

St Patrick's Day II

The St Patrick's Day Parade in Bray, Co Wicklow got under way and was led by the heavy hitters of the Army Reserve, the Civil Defence Force and the Fire Service.

St Patrick's Day 1

So here we are at the St Patrick's Day Parade in Bray, Co Wicklow and to start off today's proceedings let's look at a few traditional expressions.

St Patrick's Day

Today it's St Patrick's Day and the St Patrick's Festival takes place all week here in Bray, Co Wicklow. Ireland's biggest funfair is in place on the promenade, so all that's left to do is to wait for the Parade to begin later today and, of course, we will have some photos for you tomorrow.

Buckroney Sand Dunes

Today's stop on the dune trail is Buckroney Sand Dunes, just south of Mizen Head, the rocky headland which divides Brittas Bay to the north. This is a vast unspoilt area of natural beauty with tracks and small gateways crisscrossing the dunes which lie next to the golf links of the European Club.

Kilpatrick Sandhills

Today we're in Kilmichael, on the Wicklow/Wexford border to visit Kilpatrick Sandhills, a protected area of sand dunes stretching 2 kms from Kilmichael Point (North) to Kilpatrick (South).  The coastal area stretching south from Kilmichael Beach is spectacularly wild and beautiful as we navigate through the dunes.

Brittas Bay Dunes

This week we take a look at some areas of the Wicklow coastline with impressive dune structure and today we start with the best known, Brittas Bay beach, with it's 5 kilometre stretch of massive dunes.

A Good Catch

A dull grey day in Wicklow Harbour as the day's whelk catch is collected from South Quay. Whelks are mostly exported, the small whelk is exported to France and the large whelk to Asia.

Resting Up

All quiet at South Quay, Wicklow Town, as part of the whelk fleet rests up.