Leafy with love banks

THE Grand Canal traces a wide are south of the city centre, from Ringsend to Rialto. It heads straight out of Dublin, crosses the midlands and reaches the River Shannon. The walk from Ringsend to Rialto via the Circular Line is alongside the canal on paths which are firm, level and easy. There are trees in lines near the canal, and grass and shrubbery. Work started on the Grand Canal in 1756, but the Circular Line was started in 1790, with Ringsend Basin completed in 1796.

. THE ROUTE:

Start at the Ringsend Basin, where the Waterways Visitor Centre stands on stilts in the water. This is popularly known as the "Box in the Docks" and it offers a wealth of background information about the inland waterways of, Ireland.

There is no path beside the Grand Canal at first, so follow the cobbled Grand Canal Quay, which goes under a railway arch. Turn left at the end of the road to reach Maquay Bridge, then cross the road and pick up a canalside path. The path leaves a lock at the bridge and runs beside the canal below street level. Walk to McKenny Bridge and lock and cross over Mount Street Lower. You pass Huband Bridge and lock at Mount Street Upper.

Continue along a well vegetated towpath which ends in a flight of steps climbing up to McCartney Bridge on Baggot Street. Hynes Bar, plus a number of shops, are located near the bridge. Bord Failte's head office is alongside. After crossing Baggot Street, there are a number of monuments at the next lock gates: a sculpture of the poet Patrick Kavanagh sits on a bench, and another bench commemorates the songwriter Percy French.

There are two parallel paths with a line of trees between them, running to Eustace Bridge at Leeson Street. The Leeson Lounge and a couple of shops complete the list of nearby facilities. There is a lock beside the bridge, and the towpath is lined with trees alongside Harcourt Terrace Lane and Charlemont Place. Cross over the road at Charlemont Bridge to pass another lock and the Barge Bar.

A tree lined towpath continues alongside Charlemont Mall to reach La Touche Bridge at Portobello. Cross the road to reach Portobello College; a plaque states that the artist Jack B. Yeats lived there from 1950 to 1957. Nearby are, shops, the Coffee Deck, and pubs such, as Portobello and The Lower Deck.

Beyond Portobello College the towpath runs beside Portobello Road, passing Locks Restaurant, continuing along Windsor Terrace. The path is on a grassy strip beside the canal to Emmet Bridge. This bridge has ornamental lamps and a monument to Robert Emmet. There are shops nearby, and pubs include the Harold, House, The Man of Achill, The Glimmerman and the Irish House.

You need to cross over Emmet Bridge to follow the opposite bank of the canal. At first, there is only a pavement alongside the Grand Canal, beside the busy Parnell Road. Soon, you can, follow a path beside the canal at a lower level than the road and pavement. Go under the stone arch of Parnell Bridge and continue walking along the towpath. The towpath stays below the level of the road and pavement all the way to Camac Bridge at Dolphin's Barn. There is a pub nearby called the Barn House and a few shops.

The canal towpath continues alongside Dolphin Road, and it is possible to use a path on the opposite side of the canal too. After passing the concrete span of Herberton Bridge, however, there is a path only on the Dolphin Road bank. This path runs along a grassy strip between the canal and the road, to reach Griffith Bridge at a former harbour. This is far enough for the walk, and frequent bus services are available back into the city.

. INFORMATION:

Distance: 5 kilometres (3 miles).

Time: 1 to 2 hours as a one way walk.

Terrain: Level towpath walking, with care needed where busy roads have to be crossed.

Public Transport: Frequent Dublin Bus services are available at the beginning and end of the walk, and buses also cross almost every canal bridge.

Car Parking: There are no car parks at the beginning, and on street parking may be limited.

Visitor Centre: Waterways Visitor Centre, Ringsend Basin.

Refreshments: Shops, pubs and restaurants can be found near most of the canal bridges.