DUBLIN CITY enjoyed its first summer solstice walk through history in what is scheduled to become an annual event.
About 150 people from 20 countries took part in the 8km walk. It started and finished at Dublin Castle, taking in 1,000 years of the capital’s history through “Viking, mediaeval, Georgian and Dublin of the future”.
The evening charity walk was organised by Friends of the Elderly and the Simon Community. “The solstice is pre-Christian, pre-politics and pre-religion and encompasses everyone,” said Friends of the Elderly development manager Dermot Kirwan.
“We wanted an event that would bring all Dubliners, old and new, together.”
The walk, conducted by Dublin historian Pat Liddy, went from the castle via Christ Church and St Patrick’s cathedrals. It went around Stephen’s Green, Fitzwilliam and Merrion squares, down Westland Row, and across the Sean O’Casey bridge, where the walkers had a view of “Dublin of the future” at the docklands.
“The walk back was into what should have been the setting sun of the summer solstice; down the quays by the Custom House and the boardwalk back to Dublin Castle,”said Mr Kirwan.
It was, however, “probably the wettest summer solstice in history”, he added.
Walkers were presented with a certificate of completion by the Dublin deputy lord mayor Mary Freehill. There followed a musical session in the castle’s upper yard.
