Newcastle to Greystones:The Newcastle to Greystones route in Co Wicklow is a fine stretch of coastline, but be prepared for the sea elements, writes FRANCIS BRADLEY
THIS WALK brings us along a fine stretch of coastline between Newcastle and Greystones in Co Wicklow.
Accessibility and choice are the key words here and public transport also plays a very important part. So, depending on the amount of time you have, you can cut your cloth to suit your needs.
The 84 bus route runs from the centre of Dublin and services Bray, Greystones and Kilcoole before terminating in Newcastle. For the purposes of this walk we use Newcastle as the starting point but you could effectively halve the distance by starting off from Kilcoole village.
Alighting from the bus in Newcastle, take the sea road signposted for Six Mile Point. Very shortly, the Newcastle GAA ground is your first landmark on the right. Further along you come upon the East Coast Nature Reserve at Blackditch Wood on your right. This reserve is part of the Murrough wetlands complex and has important fen habitats, wet grasslands and birch woodland. Next you pass the entrance to Newcastle Aerodrome on the left – more about that later. And finally, you reach the single rail line and coast at Six Mile Point.
This is an unforgiving place on a bleak day – there is absolutely no shelter. However, when I last walked here conditions were perfect. Standing at the rail line you are looking east over the expanse of the Irish Sea and to the right and south the track fades in the distance on its way to Wicklow town. We proceed north along the rail line. The sea has often breached the track during winter storms in the past and efforts have been made to protect the track by placing large concrete blocks (many chain-linked) on the seaward side of the track. Many of these blocks are dated – the earliest I found was placed here in 1928.
On your left you will notice the grassy runway belonging to Newcastle Aerodrome. Most of the time there isn’t a lot of activity here but I once witnessed a light aircraft taking off into the teeth of a stiff south-easterly wind – it was almost in slow motion.
The western vista is the Wicklow Mountains with Djouce most prominent – it is easily identified by the scar running up its eastern slope.
Halfway between Newcastle and Kilcoole you begin to see the Kilcoole marshes and Nature Reserve. The track crosses a bridge at a point known as the Breaches and again the area is a good vantage point for bird-watching. A little further on there is a protected colony of Little Terns who, after flying from West Africa and the Mediterranean, nest on the shingle beach and lay their eggs. Onwards, and thankfully not upwards for a change, we arrive at the railway platforms at Kilcoole. This can be a handy escape point. Scheduled trains stop here and it is only a short walk (1.5km) to the village to catch the bus.
There are only four kilometres to go before arriving in Greystones and transport heaven with trains, the Dart and buses to choose from. After a refreshing cuppa, the really energetic could complete a good, long walk by continuing along the coast into Bray. This would add a further 6.5 to seven kilometres in distance.
Start/Finish:Newcastle village to Greystones, Co Wicklow.
Distance:10km.
Time:A leisurely 2.5 to three hours.
Maps:OS 56.
Suitability:For all ages. Obey the signs. You don't need a compass here, but you should know how to read a map and use a compass. Dress appropriately and bring along drinks and snacks.
Refreshments:Kilcoole, Greystones, Bray.
More information about the nature reserves: www.birdwatchireland.ie.