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Travel by taxi, train, bus, boat and… duck?


Nathan McKinniss

4,780 views

My travel to Dublin over the weekend consisted of many adventures, and even more ways of transport.

 
I took the bus to Dublin and back home to Baltray.  I then hired a taxi to meet up with TurfNet's Jon Kiger (here on vacation), with whom I toured for the next two days..
 
Jon and I took the train to Howth, a seaside village with postcard-perfect sights. There we boarded a ferry boat which sailed around Ireland's Eye, an uninhabited island but populated by many birds and seals on the rocks. It is possible to step on shore but our tour only took us around the island.
 
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Approaching Ireland's Eye by boat.
 
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The remains of an old fort and a church dating to the 8th century are the only signs of previous habitation.
 
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Me with Ireland's Eye in the background.
 
The train from Howth back to Dublin brought us back right on time for our other tour. This tour involved a combination of a bus and boat. The D.U.K.W. (pronounced duck) is the vehicle of choice for the Viking Splash Tours.
 
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The D.U.K.W. is made for land and water. Each one made in the U.S.A. during WWII, these machines are almost 75 years old!  Each letter has a meaning, D- fourth year USA in war (4th letter in alphabet.) U- Utility vehicle. K and W for Six Wheel drive.
 
I had the opportunity to talk with the mechanic, Liam O'Connor, about these GMC beasts. Liam mentioned how most parts are original so routine maintenance is required. Most importantly that brakes are checked, changed and each vehicle is all sealed up for the drive in to the water.
 
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Liam O'Connor, mechanic, driver, and tour guide
 
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Connor, who was our tour guide, and myself
 
Cruising around Dublin with the Viking Splash Tours is one great way to learn about the city and Irish history. Every passenger wearing Viking helmets, roaring as such while driving on the streets, then plunging straight in to the canal is one exciting tourist attraction.
 
What tour bus or boat can compete with the duck? Not only did I board a bus and boat, but the combination of both, plus the train and taxi! Just two days in Dublin and I had more different rides than ever before.

 

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