Balbriggan tourist information
The front strand(Seabanks) is the main beach. It’s a natural inlet and is ideal for building sand castles, bathing and soaking up the sun. During the summer months a lifeguard is on duty when the appropriate flag is flying. Presumably the lifeguard station was formally a shelter for changing as there is an identical building beside it, obviously men's and Ladies. Continuing to walk on and the chimney of Deedes Templar, DoubleCrest, Healthex makes its presence felt. Originally gutted by the Black & Tans in sept 1920, the building was rebuilt and lasted till it was demolished in Oct 2003 to make way for future development A few yards further up the coast is the Martello tower built in 1800's to ward off any invasions by Napoleon. The early 19th century saw a considerable amount of activity along the coast of Fingal. Strong round towers were built by the military under the 'national defence Act of 1804'. Martello Towers are a curiosity to most people and their history is not widely known. The story begins on the island of Corsica on the 9th of September 1794. A British force attacked a French headland on cape Martello. The British military were so impressed by the defence that they built their own towers for the de fence of England and Ireland. The forts to be positioned about a quarter of a mile apart along the coast of Dublin. Each tower had it's own water reservoir and the walls were about eight feet thick.The interior was divided into three stories. The ground floor was used for holding ammunition, stores and provisions. The first floor acted as living quarters for the garrisons.
Just before you come to the Martello tower in a small park which was the site of the Old Coastguard Station. This was gutted in 1922 in the war of independence. Just below the Martello tower are the ruins of the Boathouses and also visible is the site where once stood a walkway out to an ideal diving spot. This was demolished by the council on safety grounds. Heading back brings you over the towns famous landmark, The Viaduct, was completed in 1844 as part of the Dublin to Drogheda line and was officially opened in March the same year. The viaduct is an ideal place for viewing the Harbour and up towards Drogheda and on a clear day the Mountains of Mourne are clearly visible. Next we head down under the Viaduct and we can see that some of the Arches weren't open as they are now but sealed on the harbour side and used to store coal. Cumiskeys Coal Yard was where the town car park is now.
Heading up to the main street, divided into three, Dublin Street, Bridge street and Drogheda street, and our first place of interest is the bridge over the "Bracken" river. Here is a commerative plaque to Seamus Lawless and Sean Gibbons. They were shot near this spot by the "Black & Tans" in 1920. The Black & Tans were a regiment of the british army stationed at Gormonston (3 miles north)and were known for their ferocity. Heading in a northerly direction again and we meet the "Medical Centre". This was originally Derhams pub but was gutted by the Black & Tans in sept 1920. This pub is at the bottom of Clonard street and it was this street that was virtually destroyed in what was to become known as "The Sack of Balbriggan". Continuing along the main street, up the hill and we take a right onto "Railway street". Known locally as station street we can see the factory on both sides of the road, this was Smith & Co, 1780-1980. Jack Benton & Joe Curtis have written an account on this factory, click HERE to read it. Just before you come to the end of station street, you can still see where an enclosed walkway went from one factory to another.
Our next point of interest is the station itself. A magnificent building build in 1844. A recent change to the station has been the building of a new wheelchair friendly lift.
Balbriggan aerial map
Please click on any icon on the Balbriggan aerial tourist map, to find close by places, offering hotels and tourist information. You can zoom in and zoom out our touristical map as well as switch between satelite and map view of Balbriggan.
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