Ireland's best walks | 

Joseph O’Connor on a favourite walk - 'I feel very blessed that it's part of my life'

Writer Joseph O’Connor is also Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Limerick, he lives in Dublin with his wife Anne-Marie Casey and their two sons.

Joseph O'Connor

Joseph O'Connor

“One of my favourite walks in Ireland is a circuit, and so it can be begun at many points, but let’s say you start out in Dalkey village, a lovely place in itself, with a coffee from Mugs, Thyme Out or the Country Bake, maybe a delicious sandwich in your pocket from The Grapevine or a book from that truly wonderful bookshop, The Gutter.

"Heading out of the village and onto the descent of Coliemore Road, you have the sea on your left, then Dalkey island with its Martello tower and ruined fort and ancient chapel of Saint Begnet, the magnificent view across the whole sweep of the bay and the expanse of the sky.