The DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) is the rail line running along
the coast of Dublin, from Malahide and Howth southwards as far as
Greystones, Co Wicklow.
The original DART service, created in 1984, ran from Howth which
is north-east of Dublin, through the city centre stations of
Connolly, Tara Street, and Pearse, and south to Bray in County
Wicklow. This remained the route for some 15 years, until the
extension by one stop further south to the town of Greystones, and
north from Howth Junction & Donaghmede by two stops further
along the Belfast main line to Portmarnock and Malahide.
Through south Dublin, from Pearse Station to Dun Laoghaire, the
DART runs over Ireland's oldest railway, dating from 1834. For most
of its route south of the city centre, the DART hugs the coast
closely, and the scenic views over Dublin bay make it a popular
tourist attraction.
In the early 1980s, in preparation for electrification, two new
stations were added. Sandymount station at Sandymount Avenue was
opened on the site where a station had previously stood, and
Salthill was built near the site of the original Kingstown railway
terminus, between Seapoint and Dún Laoghaire. At the time of the
electrification work from 1981–82, the former branch to Dun
Laoghaire pier used by ferry passengers was disconnected as the
main track would have had to have been lowered in order to fit the
overhead power cables under road bridges in Dun Laoghaire; some ten
years later a new passenger ferry terminal was built immediately
adjacent to the main Dun Laoghaire station.
Its busiest day was July 4, 1996, when 250,000 people went to
Dun Laoghaire to visit the US naval carrier, the USS John F
Kennedy.
Bring your own pen/pencil!
This cache is placed outside the station, so access does not
necessarily involve fares, tickets, etc.