Dublin Has A Man-Made Island ☘️ And It Was An Accident!
Bull Island - An Accidentally Man Made Sanctuary...
It's not often you hear of islands literally springing up out of the sea, but that's pretty much what happened with Bull Island, Dublins coastal retreat, enjoyed by humans and animals alike.
Something very unusual happened to Dublin Bay in the 1800s. The region had for centuries been difficult for shipping, with a silting problem that laid ruin to many a great ship. In the early 1800s local authorities, (Ireland was then under British control), came up with a plan to build a huge wall out towards the sea, to facilitate safer passage of ships in Dublin Bay. After the South Bull Wall was built, and later breached, another wall to the North of the bay was proposed. Completed in 1825, after 5 years of construction, North Bull Wall, along with the South Bull Wall, fixed and still in place, managed to fix the silting problem and Dublin Port became on of the most important British trading assets.
Over the course of 50 years after the construction of North Bull Wall, an island grew from sand and silt deposits to the North. This "happy accident" is today home to 5km of beach, sports clubs, bathing facilities, a scouts club, a nature reserve, two golf courses and more. It is a haven for wildlife, and enjoyed by locals as a quick hop away from the busy city into something more natural and relaxing.
It has become a cornucopia of flora and fauna, with birds migrating from as far as Africa and Canada. In summer, the island is littered with all sorts of insects and butterflies unseen anywhere else in the country. It recently was granted "Unesco Biosphere" status.
The 5km of beach is known as Dollymount Strand. It's a popular spot for walkers and swimmers, and more recently has become the number one place in Ireland for kite surfing.
Next time you visit Dublin, be sure to check out Bull Island. It's the quickest way to escape the hussle and bussle of the city, and has a quirky, harmonious mix of people and animals.
Photos by @condra.
Sources:
http://www.dublincity.ie/main-menu-services-recreation-culture-dublin-city-parks-visit-park-north-bull-island-unesco/our
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bull_Island
https://www.clontarf.ie/history-of-clontarf/bull-island
My grandmother's swimming spot was out there, back when they had a house in Clontarf. I was a kid so I thought the place was pretty stupid and boring.
My favorite place 💙💙💙
Me too! We've had lots of great adventures there :)
I absolutely love the fact this island was a manmand accident. Another little interesting fact about it, there is a chance the north end of the island will eventually connect to the mainland. This would mean that the body of water between bull island and tha mainland north of the land bridge that brings you to the golf clubs would be cut off from the sea.
Aye. I guess then they would call that Bull Lake? Or maybe it would eventually dry up and we would have I dunno, Bull Peninsula? It's not really an island as it is anyway.
From what I heard Captain Bligh of the Mutiny on the Bounty fame was the one who proposed the the building of the walls that created Bull island.
What an interesting place! And your photos depict it beautifully.
Thanks for the kind words!
I will definately check the bull island, if I’m lucky enough to be near. Looks exciding!
Sometimes you need a luck or and accident to happen for the best results.
Nice pictures!
Resteemed!
Thanks so much man!
I never actually knew the history of it, great post. Its a kick ass photoshoot location for sure!!
Haven't been out that way in years, thanks for reminding me about it. Resteemed at your pleasure.
Ahh thanks dude. Much appreciated!
Never knew that! Thanks for sharing this knowledge. I love the place myself too!
It's a weird one isn't it! I think we should make more walls and try create more islands. I wonder what factors are at play to make it happen.
Dublin looks a must visit place ;)