28th April, 2013
This field trip is primarily aimed at beginners, amateurs and others who might not have encountered granite before or the geology of South Dublin(/North Wicklow). It might serve as an introduction to Peadar McArdle's field trip to the Blackstairs granite this coming May. My trip will visit just two locations to examine the basics of what granite is, the rocks that are associated with granite proper (aplites, pegmatites, quartz veins), and a local sample of a rock type that the Leinster granite itself intrudes (andalusite schist). By good fortune, both stops are 'beauty spots', so if the weather is kind, everyone should bring their cameras. Both locations require only short walks on paved paths. However, the paths are somewhat steepish in parts. Bring appropriate footwear and wet weather gear, just in case. Finally, because parking at the first stop in Killiney can be quite problematic at weekends, I am starting the field trip at the early time of 9:30 am. Other than that, the day's timings will be relatively relaxed. Anyway, the first stop at White Rock can quickly fill up with nudists, and we want to get there first!
View Leinster granite - Beginner's trip in a larger map
Stop 1: White Rock, Vico Road, Killiney, County Dublin.
Meet at 9:30 am on Sunday 28th April at the concrete viewing platform on the Vico Road (R119), Killiney, South County Dublin [Grid Ref: O 267 258]. There is only one set of parking spaces on the Vico Road so they can't be missed, but look out for a very big blue county council information sign if in any doubt, and we park where a path goes down to the sea and a bridge crosses the DART line. Advice: this is a very popular location and parking is limited, so get there earlier rather than later: if you arrive at 9:00 am, you can always enjoy the view or have an extra nap in your car - but at least you'll have a parking space. Car sharing would be advisable.
The path down to the beach is steep in parts, but there is a hand rail. There are also toilet facilities, which in theory should be available for use.
General geological introduction to the Dublin area, focussing in on the Leinster granite. Local granite varieties, schist, aplite, pegmatite, tourmaline, mining etc.
Back up the path and into the cars to Stop 2.
Stop 2: Blue Light Pub, Barnacullia (above Stepaside village), County Dublin. Lunch break and base for second geology stop.
Blue Light pub in Barnacullia [Grid Ref: O 182 242], above Stepaside village. Getting there from the Vico Road is the 'technical'' driving challenge of the day. Get onto the N11, by any of a number of possible ways, drive to the major Galloping Green/Leopardstown junction [O 212 268], turn up the Leopardstown Road and essentially keep going straight up until you come to Lamb Doyle's pub. There is just one tricky bit: follow the main Leopardstown Rd [aka N31] up to the M50 turn off but do not get sidetracked onto the M50 - follow the sign to Sandyford on the R113: it is a very slight 'dog leg' on the route to avoid the M50 and keep on the old Leopardstown Rd. After that, do not actually go to Sandyford, but keep going on the Leopardstown Road to the first major crossroads where go straight on up Hillcrest Road [R113]; at second crossroads, keep going straight on again up Blackglen Road until you reach Lamb Doyle's pub [Grid Ref: O 175 253; a very large, well signed, yellow pub]. Here, you must immediately turn a very sharp, acute left, at the crest of the hill, into Woodside Road; it is easy to overshoot this if you are going too fast. That will then take you directly to the Blue Light pub, which has a big car park. After lunch - defined as an hour after everyone finds their way to the pub - we will do another short walk up the adjacent hill to the next granite stop.
A different granite variety, different pegmatite variety, quartz veins, slickensides, and some final discussion on the origin of the granite.
And, if the fog and rain keep away, fantastic views looking North over Dublin city and bay area.
