h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: Massy's Wood Walk, Dublin Mountains, Ireland - A87849616
Author: Gnomon - U151503

A pleasant walk in the Dublin Mountains.

This is an interesting description of a walk which sounds pleasant and varied.

It's not an area I know. I wondered if it would be better to say 'in the Dublin Mountains' in the first sentence, rather than 'South Dublin', which might sound like the city.

Is this the sort of walk for which you need boots and a walking pole?

This sounds lovely, Gnomon. If we are ever to be lucky enough to revisit the Emerald Isle, this sounds like a great excursion. Not sure about the upward ascent though---might be a lot if your not used to hill climbing.

The walk is entirely on paths so you won't need boots. Stout shoes that can withstand a bit of mud are all you need.

Another winner this is a marvellous (wnnt to get out and do this) read looking forward to the photo's.

Well done indeed

The pictures I took all have my friends in them. I'll have to go back and take some more.

I've added the comment I made about footwear to the start of the entry.

This is one of our favourite family walks. We always call it Massy Wood, or Massy Woods.

I find it odd to see Great Dane in lower case, though I have no problem with poodle or beagle... Irish Setter also needs capitals, no doubt because of the country named. Can't make up my mind about Red Setter.

Strangely, googling Massy Wood turns up a group of companies based in Trinidad & Tobago. The first site that comes up detailing this place in the Dublin mountains names it Massy's Estate http://www.dublinmountains.ie/recreation_sites/massys_estate/

I'm puzzled by Great Dane/great dane myself.

I'm familiar with this wood since the 1960s. We always called it "Massy's" without any "wood" or "estate" after it.

I only found out about the path up to Cruagh recently. In the 60s and 70s it was impassible.

After some research I've corrected the name Nihan Niven to Ninian Niven.

This is a good idea - I could describe some walks in our part of the world when I finally get my entry-writing act together. (It's the precise and comprehensive and thoroughly researched entries that Gnomon writes that frighten me off. I'll never be this good.)

Having said that, I've a couple of quibbles on style, of all things:

>> It is one of the few deciduous forests around<< - could you be a little more geographically precise? Around the Dublin area? In the whole of Ireland?


>>there are still traces of the old walls of the gardens<< ... "traces of the old garden walls" reads more fluently - or does this detract from the meaning of what the walls actually are?

Regarding shoes etc in the opening paragraph, maybe you should mention accessiblity - I notice there are stiles to climb over which counts wheelchair and pram users out.

>>If choose the refreshments<< - "you" is missing.

As for the Great Danes, I would use capitals, too. But (assuming they are live animals) is it wise to use them as a landmark? They could be indoors or out for a walk or at the vet's. Perhaps the house has some other distinguishing features which are more permanent, such as yellow window frames or a wrought-iron gate.....

Oh - and are there any tricky Irish pronunciations in there that a visitor might need to master before asking the way at any point?

Good points, TC.

I've changed the "deciduous" section to this:

"It is one of the few deciduous forests in the country - most were cut down centuries ago and forestry replanting concentrates on fast-growing conifers. "

Instead of "there are still traces of the old walls of the gardens, with the occasional arched gateway or set of steps", I now say:

"the high walls of the walled gardens still remain, with the occasional arched gateway or set of steps"

Accessibility: I've added:

"The route is rough underfoot and there are stiles in places, so it is not suitable for wheelchairs or child-buggies."

I've removed the reference to the Great Danes. As you say, they may not be there next year. The main reason for mentioning them was so that you wouldn't be surprised by one suddenly barking at your elbow when you reach the gate.

I've added a pronunciation of "Cruagh".

Excellent.

I've added some links to this.

Your pronunciation for Cruagh could go with its first mention?

Coillte has two ls I think.

Thanks, R. I've attended to those two points.

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