My regular reader knows I`ve been to Skerries before. And will recall that it`s a delightful harbour town north of Dublin city. With it`s seaside aspect, lengthy promenade, and touristy feel, it`s a lovely place for a run. So I could scarcely believe it when I realised today, that I hadn`t been back since my last jaunt there in July.
Parental duties dictated that I would have to give parkrun a skip today. But an evening run in Skerries more than compensated.
The evening was shaping up to be warm and dry. But, by 7pm, the sun was rapidly ebbing away in trails of golden light. I just about had enough time to amble and snap all around the harbour, before the light bled away over the horizon.
Photographs taken,I went for my running ramble about town. I`m not one of those runners who can work the same route day in, day out. Variety, for me, is essential. So, it was lovely to literally get lost in Skerries.
Once I`d peeled off the promenade and turned into the town itself, I quickly became absorbed into the labyrinth that is Skerries itself. Starting out, I suspect, as a few fishing cottages wedged in around the harbour, its coastal location and ease of access ensured it had a succession of invasions in it`s biennial history. And that is reflected in it`s placenames and buildings.
The little cottages gave way to Georgian houses along the harbour and later, Victorian ones. Further inland, semidetached houses from the 1970s and 80s reflected the time when Skerries became a commuter town for Dublin. And further out again, the 1990s and our crazy years of astronomical land prices, major property price rises gave way to high rise apartment blocks.
The name Skerries itself is Danish, meaning rocks or reef(skere) and small islands or islet(ey). I`d like you to think I figured that all out by myself while I was trotting around the town, but, in truth, I looked it up when I got home. And also found out that the island off Skerries(Shenick) which lends its name to some of the streets around the town, is also Danish and so it`s the word Holm as in Holmpatrick. The latter means Patrick`s Harbour.
Oh yeah, of course St Patrick was there. He`s a bit like an early day Kilroy of Kilroy was here fame. Only, instead of graffiti, St Patrick`s memory is preserved in placenames. We`ve Croagh Patrick in the West, Downpatrick in the North, Holmpatrick in the east. Google probably knows how many more in between, but that`s enough for me.
My own ramble was a lot shorter than the good saint`s. Not bothered by distance this time. I was happy to stop after forty minutes. By then, the night had closed in. Skerries was taking on a new life as people were decanted from taxis into pubs and restaurants about the town.
Time, then, for this little hen to head home and leave the noisy quayside, silent boats, and glittering harbour lights behind.
redhenrun 
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Last time I went to Dublin I spent my time moseying about the markets buying entire suitcases full of shoes! lol! What a delightful surprise, I shall keep my eyes open next time so as I do not miss the landscapes and sea sides!
Oh, you`ll have to look up the next time! Can`t have your eyes peeled to the ground while travelling around that fine city!
#Agreed! I did enjoy the book of kells! Lol
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This seems like such a lovely place to run at 🙂 Might look it up on my next visit to Dublin 🙂
There`s lots more besides! I adore so much of Dublin and feel it`s coastal aspect is hugely undervalued.
Beautiful pictures! I love how you share the variety of places you run at 🙂
Amazingly beautiful pictures.
I found your blog through purlgurlknitsandruns and am loving your writing and scenes from Ireland. It is my goal to run the half marathon in Dublin at some point; until then I am living vicariously through your pictures. And I am hoping to make your soda bread soon; I have been needing something to spread my blood orange marmalade on and I think your bread would be perfect!
Thank you for your lovely comment Jennifer. I can see that blood orange marmalade already,lusciously spread on a slice of white soda bread. I am very sure that, if you eat it, you will be well able for any half marathon Dublin throws at you!. There is a lovely one in along the coast of north Dublin city, the Clontarf half, which is run in June, and again in November. There was a Rock and Roll half last August-it will probably be repeated again, and the Phoenix Park Race Series Half in September. Check runireland.ie for more event listings.
How I enjoyed this post – and how I wish I could run so that I could see twice as much in half the time! Thanks for the great information about Skerries – You are such a lovely writer!
Ah, thank you. I think I write like I run-good in occasional patches but mostly shuffling along! However, there`s a lot to be said for the slower pace in moving-one gets to appreciate every little thing then.
On the drive from Downpatrick to Dublin on he morning of my last day in Ireland the drive through Skerries was a real treat. Of course, as in your last photo all the boats were on the ground. Reading you brings back very dear memories. I have to find a way to get there again.
Be well.
Ah! You followed the trail of the good saint! Next time you`ll also have to amble along to Croagh Patrick. It`s a very special mountain overlooking the Atlantic in Co Mayo.
I really enjoy reading about your runs. You always manage to give the impression that your focus is on the place and not time/distance etc. So refreshing.