Interesting Dublin Bus destinations!

Einhard

Ok, so I've been living in Dublin for college and work on and off for six of the past ten years, and because haven't really strayed beyond the tourist centre, and the routes that I absolutely needed to take for work/college. My present job has meant me taking the 39A to Cabra for the past year or so, and I was wondering all the time what this Ongar place might be like. So, today, with trusty rambler ticket in hand I hopped on the 39 and rode it to the end. And it was pretty meh. But at least the mystery of what lies at the end has been solved.

Anyway, as I have lots of time on my hands over the next two weeks, and as I'm a tight ass who wants to get the most from his rambler, I was wondering are there are anymore "hidden gems" lurking unknown to me along the Dublin Bus routes. And I decided to come here for suggestions. I don;t want obvious places like Dalkey or Portmarnock, but rather places like Ongar is on full display on the front of buses and yet which nobody really thinks about outside of those who live there.

Anyway, pretty weird probably, but that's my challange. Find me those places!

admiralofthefleet

the 31/b. brings you up to the beautiful howth summit

markpb

Harristown at the end of the 27B is the most Godforsaken place that's still (barely) inside the city. Good for a bit of plane spotting if that's your thing.

coolabula

the 78A, its an interesting journey

C-Shore

Definitely the 78A

On a serious note though, I don't know where you live so you might know it already but you might be interested in Wadelai Park in terms of interesting names. That's the number 11 bus.

I'll come back when I think of more, I just know that one because people have said it to me when I mention it's the bus I take.
The bus doesn't actually stop at the named destination, which I've never questioned until now as I write this.

Edit: 41b to Rolestown! I should also add; most of the routes with interesting names lead you to some of the most boring places!

145 to kilmacanogue, and there's actually some nice places to stop on the way, even head to Bray for a walk. More Edits: Speaking of Bray, if you do get off there then I remember seeing a bus there that goes to Shop River, I don't know the bus route though.

I can't believe I know bus routes.

gugleguy

Takes 3 days allegedly :P and goes all over the place. Well worth it both directions. Keep safe though.

neris

admiralofthefleet wrote: »

the 31/b. brings you up to the beautiful howth summit

31 goes up to the summit aswell but goes through the village in howth. nice views on either route so you can take one out and the other back

HeidiHeidi

There's a bus stop(s) down the Pigeon House Road in Ringsend , which is both an interesting name and a lovely walk out to the Great South Wall which sticks out into Dublin Bay.

Unfortunately I can't for the life of me find out which route goes out there.... I suspect it's probably one bus in the morning and one in the evening... I'll keep digging for the route, or maybe someone else will know.

admiralofthefleet

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

There's a bus stop(s) down the Pigeon House Road in Ringsend , which is both an interesting name and a lovely walk out to the Great South Wall which sticks out into Dublin Bay.

Unfortunately I can't for the life of me find out which route goes out there.... I suspect it's probably one bus in the morning and one in the evening... I'll keep digging for the route, or maybe someone else will know.

its the 1.

stovelid

65 goes out to Blessington (or Ballymore Eustace).

Blessington is about 20 miles from Dublin and BE is further.

http://www.dublinbus.ie/en/your-journey1/timetables/all-timetables/65/

Must be one of the longest Dublin Bus journeys

ceekay74

Get the 65 to Blessington and check out the lakes. The views from this place are nice...
http://www.avonri.com/ENG/location.php


Also the 44 to Enniskerry...
http://www.visitwicklow.ie/towns/enniskerry.htm
Powerscourt gardens & waterfall are nearby.

Gillo

33 to Skerries, nice beach and a few nice pubs. Better off getting the train though.

Sundew

78a no longer exists .........it is now called the 40!!!!!!!!!
and for an extra bonus you get to visit Finglas unlike the old 78a

Degsy

Sundew wrote: »

78a no longer exists .........it is now called the 40!!!!!!!!!
and for an extra bonus you get to visit Finglas unlike the old 78a

I use that bus every day....the "people" coming from the ballyfermot end in the evenings make the finglas crowd look like alterboys...swigging from bottles of methadone and smoking heroin...an absolute pile of scumbags.

John Mason

Degsy wrote: »

I use that bus every day....the "people" coming from the ballyfermot end in the evenings make the finglas crowd look like alterboys...swigging from bottles of methadone and smoking heroin...an absolute pile of scumbags.

absolutely +1 on this.

and they stink - is there no water or baths out in wherever is comes from ??

Maglight

Take the 123 to Marino and go visit the Casino Marino. It's a gem.

deffo get the 65 to ballymore,
Dont forget your sleeping bag,it takes 2 days I think

ozmo

Maglight wrote: »

Take the 123 to Marino and go visit the Casino Marino. It's a gem.

Why not do some geocaching while you are at it... give you a purpose to go to some of the less touristy spots...

Theres a few along that 39A bus you took - one in Clonsilla near the train station I think.

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/nearest.aspx?lat_ns=1&lat_h=53&lat_mmss=20.565&long_ew=-1&long_h=6&long_mmss=14.991

John Mason

this just sums up the 78a and what the Finglites are no subjected to on a daily basis.

http://www.herald.ie/news/dead-man-robbed-on-bus-1594163.html

Slunk

Thankfully we're getting some half decent weather. Ill be cycling from now on. Avoid the 40 at all costs.

KD345

Einhard wrote: »

I was wondering are there are anymore "hidden gems" lurking unknown to me along the Dublin Bus routes. And I decided to come here for suggestions. I don;t want obvious places like Dalkey or Portmarnock, but rather places like Ongar is on full display on the front of buses and yet which nobody really thinks about outside of those who live there.

Anyway, pretty weird probably, but that's my challange. Find me those places!

Scenic Routes:

31B to Howth Summit - Sit upstairs for amazing views of Dublin bay and it also passes some lovely houses on the way.

32A to Malahide - A nice coastal route passing through Portmarnock.

44 to Enniskerry - A scenic trip to a nice village in Wicklow.

44B to Glencullen - The highest route on the Dublin Bus network, it gives amazing views over Dublin city. It's a single decker bus, but you still get great views. This is a peak time only service running Monday to Friday.

65 to Ballyknockan - This service only runs twice a day, early morning and evening peak, so you'll need to travel back on the same bus or you're stranded. It's a beautiful route which extends around Blessington lakes, the roads are narrow and the terminus has a nice backdrop of the mountains. Other services on route 65 will take you to Blessington and Ballymore, but Ballyknockan is the most scenic.

185 - to Shop River - This is probably the weirdest destination you'll find on a Dublin Bus. This routes travels from Bray via Enniskerry, passing the gates to Powerscourt. Note - the terminus does not contain a shop, or a river. It's just a country road


The odd destinations on bus routes in Dublin:

11 to Wadelai Park - a housing development on Dublin's northside.

15B to Stocking Avenue - Another strange destination, the 15 and 15B travel here, but the 15B is a more interesting route. Stocking Avenue is at the foothills of the Dublin mountains, and consists of a half built housing development.

25 to Dodsboro - A housing estate in Lucan.

4, 13, 27B and 83 to Harristown - This is actually a bus depot, but located next to the airport. If you're taking a bus here, try the 83, it takes an interesting route along the runway at Dublin Airport.

38/A/B to Damastown - An industrial development in north west Dublin.

40B to Toberburr - Part of the Finglas routes, but it travels beyond Charlestown to a housing estate. Not a frequent service, so check timetable.

41B to Rolestown - Part of the Swords services but travels towards Rathbeale to Rolestown. An interesting route along a long country road.

47 to Belarmine - This is a winding route, taking in nice views of Sandymount, then the N11, Stillorgan, Sandyford, and Stepaside. Belarmine is a big housing development close to Stepaside.

123 to Marino - This is a busy cross city service from Drimnagh to Marino, usually packed with Dublin characters. Watch out for old ladies with shopping trolleys.

145 to Kilmacanouge - An odd destination, about 20 minutes beyond Bray. The terminus is on the main N11.

184 to Newtownmountkennedy - Just because it's the longest destination name.

220 to Lady's Well - A long, long route through North Dublin, taking in Mulhuddart, Blanchardstown, Finglas and Ballymun

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

There's a bus stop(s) down the Pigeon House Road in Ringsend , which is both an interesting name and a lovely walk out to the Great South Wall which sticks out into Dublin Bay.

Unfortunately I can't for the life of me find out which route goes out there.... I suspect it's probably one bus in the morning and one in the evening... I'll keep digging for the route, or maybe someone else will know.

That used to be the 1, but it was withdrawn last weekend.

Degsy

irishbird wrote: »

this just sums up the 78a and what the Finglites are no subjected to on a daily basis.

http://www.herald.ie/news/dead-man-robbed-on-bus-1594163.html

They need inspectors on that bus..its a disgrace.

Sundew

Degsy wrote: »

I use that bus every day....the "people" coming from the ballyfermot end in the evenings make the finglas crowd look like alterboys...swigging from bottles of methadone and smoking heroin...an absolute pile of scumbags.

Are they not the Clondalkinites
The "classier" folks usually take the 79's anyhow
OP you'll get an interesting ride on that bus ....thats for sure lol

Corruptedmorals

The 150 to Rossmore via Crumlin. It used to be more direct but now it's a total scenic route of the Liberites and Donore Avenue etc. You almost feel like it's about to swing through somebody's house as the first bit of the route consists of really narrow roads unsuitable for busses.

LXFlyer

There is a lot of dud information here I'm afraid:

The 78a is no more (now the 40) and the 1 no longer serves Pigeon House since the weekend before last.

OP to answer your question, I'd suggest some of the following:

1) Take the 31 to Howth Village, walk to the Summit (or just stay on the 31) and get the 31b back (limited service on the 31b) and enjoy a spectacular view over Dublin Bay (try the ones that operate via Strand Road - an interesting diversion along the bay in Sutton!).

2) Take the 44 to Enniskerry (it starts in a housing estate in North Dublin at Larkhill) and visit Powerscourt, return on the 185 to Bray from Powerscourt via the terminus at Shop River (massively steep hill up and back from Enniskerry) and then 145 to Dublin.

3) Take the 33 to Skerries and Balbriggan - lovely trip in the summer and one of the longest in Dublin. The 0710 (Mon/Fri) trip goes via Portrane - a nice diversion.

4) A circuit of Dublin - 17a Kilbarrack/Blanchardstown, 239 Blanchardstown/Liffey Valley, 76 Liffey Valley/Tallaght, and 75 Tallaght/Dun Laoghaire.

5) 84 to Newcastle from UCD (until next weekend and then from Blackrock to Newcastle) - great trip over the rear of Bray Head or 184 from Bray to Newtownmountkennedy.

6) Take a trip on 44b - the latter brings you to the highest terminus on the Dublin Bus network in Glencullen - check the timetable carefully though - the service is very limited.

7) Try the 161 to Tibradden from Dundrum - also a trip up the Dublin hills but very limited timetable

8) But best of the lot is the 65 to Ballyknockan during the summer months - 1730 ex-Hawkins Street and 1930 return (or if you're an early riser 0530 from Hawkins Street and 0700 from Ballyknockan) - spectacular views over Blessington lakes and a few very narrow roads that you wouldn't think a double-deck bus could do! It's now probably the longest journey on the Dublin Bus network.

You could also go to Ballymore Eustace on the 65 (a nice village - buses marked "b" in the timetable serve it).

LXFlyer

The 37 is an interesting trip also as it travels along the walls of the Phoenix Park and through Castleknock to Blanchardstown.

A return trip on the 270 from there to the Co. Meath village of Dunboyne (or return direct to Dublin on the 70).

The 67 to Maynooth via Celbridge, returning on a 66 is worth a trip.

The 68 to Newcastle (Co. Dublin this time!) takes you along the South Circular Road and through a small housing estate before continuing to Clondalkin and out through county Dublin to a Business Park. Its sister route the 69 takes you through estates in Clondalkin before continuing out to the village of Rathcoole.

I'd second a trip on the 83 also to Harristown from Kimmage - an interesting tour of many Dublin City Council estates.

The 63 from Dun Laoghaire to Kilternan brings you along a tour of southeast Dublin - a nice trip, as is the 59 from Dun Laoghaire to Killiney.

bc dub

markpb wrote: »

Harristown at the end of the 27B is the most Godforsaken place that's still (barely) inside the city. Good for a bit of plane spotting if that's your thing.

LOL! Harristown Dublins Barron land infested with hares and rabbits...one of them anyway!!

Picturesque it is not. Good for plane spotting, depending on their take off / landing positioning that day.

Does anyone remember the guy that lived there in a tent for months a few years back? Opposite the main runway, at the t-junction end of it...? Think he couldn't get housing and lived in a tent with some sign (I never stopped to read) pointing toward the road?

bc dub

Back on topic, the 42 to malahide. Beautiful on a summers day, great pubs, great restaurants and a great chipper.

starviewadams

If big pharmaceutical factorys are your thing then might I suggest you take the number 13 out to Grange Castle in Clondalkin.

You could also get the 69 out to Corkagh Park in Clondalkin,enjoy an ice cream while sitting out beside the beautiful lakes,and then maybe visit the pet farm and feed the pot bellied pigs too.

Einhard

Thanks for all the replies. Everyone gets a thanks cos I'm a generous mood!:D

31 to Howth it is tomorrow. I have loads of time to kill between appointments, so might go a little Manichen on it and follow that up with the 78a to Finglas!! *packs stab jacket*

January

Einhard wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies. Everyone gets a thanks cos I'm a generous mood!:D

31 to Howth it is tomorrow. I have loads of time to kill between appointments, so might go a little Manichen on it and follow that up with the 78a to Finglas!! *packs stab jacket*

40 to Finglas and you'd only want to be wearing your stab vest for the southside part of your journey