The Great South Wall

The Great South Wall (Balla an Bhulla Theas in Gaelic) is a kind of giant breakwater in Dublin harbour. 4km long, it starts at the tip of the Poolbeg peninsula and heads towards Dublin Bay. It’s one of the best walks in Dublin, offering incredible panoramic views over the rest of the city!

Visit The Great South Wall in Dublin

Europe’s longest dike!

The Poolbeg Lighthouse – © Ire DronePhotography

Did you know? The Great South Wall is said to be the longest dike in Europe.

Impressive, it faces the Bull Wall, another Dublin harbour breakwater built more recently.

The Great South Wall was built to address the bay’s siltation problems. In the 1700s, sand accumulated to such an extent that it prevented boats from entering Dublin harbor! A real problem, solved by the construction of a 4km breakwater that prevented the port from silting up, and thus facilitated the flow of boats.

Construction began in 1717, and the dike has been continually modernized and strengthened over the years, in response to storms and the city’s new needs. The dike is now equipped with a power station

It has a lighthouse at its tip: the Poolbeg Lighthouse, recognizable by its bright red color and existing in its current form since 1820.

Stroll along the Great South Wall seawall

The seawall is popular with Dubliners and travellers alike. It allows you to walk on the open sea, while keeping your feet on the ground! And the dam is just a stone’s throw from the city center!

Note that the wall is accessible on foot and by bike only. It offers incredible views of the coast, the bay, the Poolbeg chimneys, the boats and Dublin city! In short, the picture is complete, offering you a breath of sea air in an incredible setting between city and wilderness!

It’s a pleasant, refreshing walk that will give you a different view of the capital. The walk is leisurely, at your own pace.

The dike ends with the Poolbeg lighthouse, a must-see with its bright red paintwork! It’s the perfect place to stop and admire the panorama: perfect for catching your breath before setting off again and covering the same 4kms… in the other direction!

Take heart: it’s worth it! Don’t forget to finish your visit with a visit to the Poolbeg chimneys, two chimneys from disused factories. Although they’re not very pretty, they’re one of the symbols of Dublin! In fact, people are very attached to it!