The South Dublin sub-group of Dublin Cycling Campaign had a social cycle on Sunday, 12th April 2024 led by Martin Quinn. About a dozen of us met at Bluebell on the canal around the 3rd Lock and headed west on a cool, westerly and windy morning. Martin’s local knowledge was remarkable as he led us through new infrastructure at Seven Mills, showing the emerging new 12km cycle paths towards the proposed Kishogue rail station and beyond (albeit 25 years in the offing!). We went onwards by road to Adamstown, as the canal path is still unfinished and very mucky this spring, admiring new townscapes, segregated cycle paths and superb playgrounds, shared spaces and sports facilities.

This was a new part of Dublin for some, exploring Tubber Lane, crossing the Dublin/Kildare border, and a welcome coffee stop at The Plant Collector nurseries. Continuing on, we passed the new Forensic Science laboratory on a very quiet back road, enjoying backdrops of primroses and birdsong, surrounded by tillage fields, in deep countryside! McEvoy’s pub is tempting as we approach the Lyons estate near the Hazelhatch rail station, but we’ll save it for a summer trip. We picnicked in Lyons garden café and then headed back home, passing the Lyons Demesne, now slightly downhill with the wind behind us. About a 40km round trip, it took a leisurely 4 hours. Thanks to Martin for the insights, history titbits and showing us an interesting slice of the vast South Dublin County Council area. Next one promises to go further west and Arthur Guinness’s grave and a pint of cider in McEvoy’s beer garden!

Colm Walsh
Dublin Cycling Campaign Executive Committee member