Skerries, Dublin

Skerries (Na Sceirí in Irish) is a seaside town in North Dublin, Ireland, and is now part of County Fingal.

Skerries has five islands off its coast. They include Shenick Island, St Patrick's, Colt and Rockabill. Rockabill is two islands, the Rock and Bill, and has the largest numbers of breeding Roseate Terns in Europe. On Shenick Island you will find a Martello tower, one of a number of defensive towers erected during the Napoleonic era along the Irish coast by the occupying British. When the tide is at its lowest one might see, while walking along the beautiful sandy south beach, people crossing to the island, perhaps to climb into the tower, or perhaps to enjoy the swarms of sea birds that know the island as home. The other islands are harder to reach, but with a bit of determination one may convince one of many boat-owners to take one across.

St Patrick's Island is so called because this is where the Irish patron saint is reputed to have landed and begun his mission to convert the country to Christianity. It is also known locally as Church Island. In 1148 St Malachy, Archbishop of Armagh, arranged a synod on the island to settle differences between the Irish Christians and the Pope. Fifteen bishops, two hundred priests and other clergy were present.

Historically, Skerries has been a thriving fishing port and a major center of hand embroidery. In the late 20th century, it became a resort town (golf, sailing, motorcycling, etc.), and a desirable suburb for commuters to the city of Dublin.

The railway station at Skerries is served by trains operating on the Dundalk - Dublin - Arklow route.

This article is licenced under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Skerries, Dublin".