Ross Lewis is an Irish Michelin star chef and proprietor of restaurant Chapter One. In this episode he takes to the urban Tracks and Trails, which meander along the coastal line of South Dublin.

Presenter
Ross Lewis

About
Passing the Martello tower in Booterstown, Ross follows the railway line to Blackrock, where he stops to visit Heron and Gray, (this has now been renamed Liath, June ‘19) a small successful restaurant tucked away Blackrock Market, one of Dublin’s oldest markets. He heads out towards the coast and picks up the seaside walk at Seapoint between Blackrock and Monkstown, along the way he passes many of the Martello Towers which were originally defence forts built in the 1800’s and some have become the focus point for sea swimming. Ross walks to Dun Laoghaire and on the way he passes through Glasthule to meet the owner Cavistons, a well-known food shop founded in the 1940’s when Glasthule was a rural village. After sampling some oysters he travels on through Sandycove and yet another Martello tower which today is a James Joyce museum. Then onto the town of Dalkey passing Bullock Harbour, this is a very traditional fishing harbour, where boats still set out for their daily catch. Dalkey is one of the oldest towns in South Dublin, here Ross meets David McWilliams an economist, who grew up in Dalkey, he sets Ross straight on whether Dalkey is a town or a village!

Grade
Moderate, the route is marked with Slí markers

Distance
12km

Estimated time
Full day. ( This can be broken up into shorter walks)

Total height climbed
Flat

Highest Point
Sealevel

Terrain underfoot
Footpath and road.

Starting point
Martello Tower, Monkstown

Suitable for
Everyone

Notes
There is pay & Display on street parking in Monkstown. Nearest Dart Station is Seapoint. Return from Dalkey Dart Starion which is 15 minute walk from Killiney Hill Park. where the second walk ends or Dalkey Town where the first walk ends. How to get to start point: Walk towards the sea to get to the path Southbound - keep the sea on your left.