52. The Once Tour of Dublin- Killiney Hill

Once – Views of Dublin

When I go home to Ireland I get so busy in Mullingar I’ve no time to go other places. One morning this time around saw me on duty leaving himself off to Dublin airport at 4:00am.They all said I should drive straight back and catch some decent sleep but I was in Dublin! It was my chance to see places I really wanted to see. First stop Killiney Hill, the scene of that romantic question and the answer Miluju Tebe in the film ONCE.

I drove off in the direction of the mountains hoping to get myself to Killiney but found myself near Enniskerry and stopped to get petrol and directions from a guy from Romania who knew Dublin better than I did. That led me to a gate called Victoria Hill but figured I was in the right area so I asked if I could park there in front of the gate, had a chat with a groundskeeper, and set off up the hill.

Statue just inside the entrance.

with the inscription Thus Dedalus Flew

It was about 6:00am and bright and already there were a few walkers around. I was right. Victoria Hill is Killiney Hill. How we like to confuse people. And as I reached the top, a little breathless, I was rewarded by that glorious scene from ONCE where you look out over the Irish sea. Ah joy.

This hill has history for me. I was here before though I climbed it from a different angle. The same magic was in the air. I spent about an hour there wandering around, taking pictures, taking in the views and breathing in the beauty. The last time I hadn’t seen the obelisks or the pyramid.

I felt like I was in South America when I saw this!

Second Obelisk lower down with a little room inside.

View from inside the little obelisk

There were parts that felt like the west of Ireland.

The bigger obelisk with a craggy landscape softened by nature’s heathers and furze.

I wandered away towards the side I had visited before and found the wishing stone.

The contrast between the busy road I had left , the wide path up, the stunning views and the leafy woods in such a short area was a feast for the senses.

That led to the open again and views of Dublin city and the harbor.

There is so much to this place including rock climbing for the beginners to those who want a real challenge. They took the stone from here to make Dun Laoghaire harbor pier.

Part of an old fashioned pump lay hidden in the grass. I used to drink from these pumps when I was young.

In all the brochures about Dublin I saw at the airport they don’t mention this place and that’s a shame. I stopped by Dalkey before dropping into Marlay Park and heading home. They were all surprised at my sense of adventure. It’s only an hour away leads! Go, soak in beauty. Life is short.