The group met in Bushy Park and following a short walk in the park, turned downstream towards Rathfarnham Bridge. They went through Orwell Park and Dartry Park, having looked for kingfishers on the way but only spotting some herons. At Milltown there was a brief stop for a coffee and to collect a couple of extra walkers. We made a short diversion to examine the holes drilled in the Nine Arch Bridge at Milltown to facilitate its demolition in the case of invasion during the second world war. The walk continued along narrow paths, through Milltown and Clonskeagh until it reached Donnybrook. More herons, a couple of cormorants and one rhinoceros were the only wildlife encountered.
After Donnybrook the tone of the route changed to being an urban walk, through manicured Herbert Park, Ballsbridge and on to Ringsend. The walk diverged from the Dodder at the Grand Canal Basin and then terminated. Despite the downpours of the previous days, we had a crisp, bright day with the advantage of a strong flow in the river to show off the many weirs and falls to best effect.