16 October 2015

Summer-like scenes on the ‘Dart’
journey between Dublin and Bray

It was almost like summer looking out on Killiney Bay from the Dart this afternoon (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2015)

Patrick Comerford

After working for 12 days on the go, I decided after a chapter meeting in Christ Church Cathedral this afternoon to take the DART out to Bray for a walk along the seashore and a late lunch.

It is difficult to describe in words alone how beautiful this autumn is, with startling sunrises, warm days when temperatures have hovered in the mid-teens, and long, lingering sunsets in the evening.

It truly is an ‘Indian Summer’ on the East Coast of Ireland and in the ‘sunny south-east’ for these last few weeks, with extended harvests in the countryside, and fields of green and gold, all inspiring my thoughts for another Harvest Thanksgiving sermon on Sunday afternoon, this time in Straffan, Co Kildare.

The DART rail journey from Tara Street in the City Centre to Bray runs along the south coast of Dublin from just beyond Sandymount. All along the journey, the skies and seas were blue, the sun was shining, and with a window seat I could imagine there was recompense for the poor summer weather we had in Ireland this year.

The view from Booterstown across to Howth Head from the Dart this afternoon (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2015)

There were clear views across Dublin Bay from Booterstown to Howth Head, and further on the sun was sparkling along the waters of Killiney Bay.

Looking back across Bray and the beach from Bray Head this afternoon (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2015)

After strolling through Bray, with its elegant terraces of Victorian and Edwardian houses, and its Main Street with many independent retailers, I returned to the seafront for a walk on the beach and then along the promenade as far as Bray Head and back again.

Follow the Yellow Brick Road … street art in the back streets of Bray (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2015)

Even in the side streets, summer colours seem to be surviving in the flowers and a wall painting on the theme of the Yellow Brick Road.

Two of us met up in Carpe Diem for a very late lunch, enjoying their unique fare of Italian foods, wines and coffee.

A glass of Vernaccia di San Gimignano before a late lunch in Carpe Diem this afternoon (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2015)

After lunch, we had another stroll through those terraces and shops. With this surprising ‘Indian Summer’ it is hard to imagine there is just over two months to go before Christmas, yet many of the shops are already a jumble of Hallowe’en and Christmas themes and decorations.

As we were leaving two paragliders were enjoying the views of setting sun as they glided off Bray Head and out above the town and the seafront.

The weather forecast this evening promises this dry mild weather is going to continue until at least Monday.

Summer colours in a side street behind the Dart line in Bray this afternoon (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2015)