An enchanting walk from Rathgar to Grand Canal Dock

09.30 on a November Saturday might sound early for setting out on our walk. It is. But they were the orders that had to be obeyed. And they were.

Eleven of the hospital staff meet outside the main entrance and head off on our urban walk. The plan is to walk from Rathgar to the Grand Canal Basin and back.

We join the Dodder at Dartry.

Some years ago, before the financial crisis, CIÉ was thinking of selling the Dublin Bus garage in Donnybrook. It must be worth zillions. The depot houses a number of the new hybrid vehicles. You can spot them from their panoramic back window. Bus nerds will know they are all numbered with the letters PA.

We zip along the edge of Herbert Park, still hugging the Dodder, across the busy bridge, whose name makes up part of the Dublin suburb’s name.

The walk from Ballsbridge to Ringsend is a reminder how dangerous the Dodder can be when it floods. High stone walls with steel doors are visible along that stretch before we go under the DART bridge. It’s a tiny passage way.

In front of us towers Lansdowne  Road, oops, am I meant to call it the Aviva Stadium?

The world of branding dictates I do. Ouch. I never know whether or not I like it, that is the stadium. Not gone on branding. It can be soulless.

Between the Dropping Well and Donnybrook  we spot at least three cormorants, picture attached.

The stretch beyond the football temple gives one a view of much of the high rise in the city. The restored gasometer adds a gentle touch to the scenery. Here the Dodder is extremely shallow, obviously suited to ducks, swans and birds of every variety.

Shelbourne Park must be in the sites of developers with deep pockets. As we pass the dog track, church bells ring out. It’s 11.00. A lovely sound.

That spot where the Dodder and Grand Canal flow into the Liffey has a wonderful magic about it. An assortment of old locks and bridges, some old, some new. We’re lucky to have Grand Canal Basin.

After our coffee/tea/water break we head back. It’s suggested we return via the canal. Clever idea. A whole new vista. Google, Google everywhere. Through Ranelagh, up wide and leafy Palmerston Road, through the park and back in the Orwell Park pedestrian entrance to the hospital. Home at approximately 13.20.

We walked close to 15 kilometres, over 20,000 steps in perfect weather. And what a lovely way to meet staff, some whose names we didn’t know before we set out. I for one learned so much about Romania, some gossip too.

A fabulous eclectic urban walk. A most enjoyable Saturday morning, good fun and great team building too.