S
senderunknow
Guest
I've been doing this run from outside Gorey to Glasnevin for the last 13 years. The earlier suggestion of doing a temporary experimental run for a short period is to be recommended. You will need plenty of patience (and sometimes nerve) to do it as driver behaviour and attitude can often be frustrating.
The only way to do it is to travel early in the morning to avoid the rush and don't use the M50. When I started in 1994 I used to leave the house at 6.30 n the morning, now it's 5.30 but this relaxes when the schools are closed for holiday periods. I never use the M50 or the Toll Bridge. If you leave early it's actually quicker and shorter through town, I usually do it in about an hour and twenty or thirty minutes max without breaking any speed limits. If I go by the Westlink I won't do it any faster and will be charged exorbitantly for the privilege.
You will need a reasonably comfortable and safe car. Law of averages will dictate that if you are going to do that kind of mileage on a regular basis then you will very likely have an accident of some sort, not necessarily serious and not necessarily your fault but you should be prepared. A solid car will offer more protection. In my thirteen years commuting I have had a write-off and a couple of very minor scrapes, none of them my fault but I was glad that in the the serious I was driving a reasonably good car (Peugeot 405) and everyone was wearing seatbelts.
Don't let that panic you, by being careful, not speeding and driving sensibly you shouldn't have to worry too much but just be sure that you don't get too attached to your car because you will get scratches when other drivers jump lanes without checking properly or with the intention of making you get out of their way even when you are in the right. You will also get little trade in on high-mileage cars.
If you are going to commute, don't depend exclusively on public transport as it is unreliable at times, particularly the train. The bus is uncomfortable (for me anyway, I'm 6 foot 3) but it is more frequent than the train. They are all improving so in the next few years that could all change. When using the bus or train, you will still need to get to the terminus or station in Gorey and then when you get to Dublin you will have to get out to Finglas from the City centre. You will never do the trip in less than 2 hours and a bit when you use public transport and you will also be at the mercy of their time-table which can be a pain if you finish work early the odd time or if you need to work late on occasions.
Commuting will effect your social life and other stuff aswell. Forget about following the soaps on telly and getting involved in community activities will be difficult unless you are very committed.
This all might sound a bit gloomy and discouraging but it's not as bad as I might appear to be painting it. I have been doing it for a long time now and I would never consider moving closer to work, I love where I live and I actually do have a social life. I am also very involved in community activities and voluntary groups but like I said earlier, it needs a lot of committment. I don't miss Coronation Street or the like, I was never a big soap fan. My main area of regret is that I would like to have more time at home with my wife and 4 kids but my work does allow a good amount of flexibility at certain times of the year which compensates.
Before you make the choice to commute, examine your motives. Do you already live in Gorey or are you thinking of moving down. If you are thinking of relocating I would think very carefully about it. I know several people who have moved back to Dublin because they could not cope with the commute, it's not for everyone. If you are doing it purely for a cheap house with a bit more ground around it then I would think carefully. There's more to a home than cheap bricks and mortar. You have to look at the environmental factors aswell, will you be a local participant, neighbours and friends are an important part of the whole deal and you need to be sure that you don't leave yourself and anyone else with you with a shortfall that you later realise is actually important.
At this stage I think I've said enough, good luck with you decision. I know I'm happy with mine and would never move from here. Make sure you choice is an informed one and if you have any more questions feel free to contact me at senderunknown@eircom.net
If I can help, I will, good luck
God! Did I write that much???
Sorry!
The only way to do it is to travel early in the morning to avoid the rush and don't use the M50. When I started in 1994 I used to leave the house at 6.30 n the morning, now it's 5.30 but this relaxes when the schools are closed for holiday periods. I never use the M50 or the Toll Bridge. If you leave early it's actually quicker and shorter through town, I usually do it in about an hour and twenty or thirty minutes max without breaking any speed limits. If I go by the Westlink I won't do it any faster and will be charged exorbitantly for the privilege.
You will need a reasonably comfortable and safe car. Law of averages will dictate that if you are going to do that kind of mileage on a regular basis then you will very likely have an accident of some sort, not necessarily serious and not necessarily your fault but you should be prepared. A solid car will offer more protection. In my thirteen years commuting I have had a write-off and a couple of very minor scrapes, none of them my fault but I was glad that in the the serious I was driving a reasonably good car (Peugeot 405) and everyone was wearing seatbelts.
Don't let that panic you, by being careful, not speeding and driving sensibly you shouldn't have to worry too much but just be sure that you don't get too attached to your car because you will get scratches when other drivers jump lanes without checking properly or with the intention of making you get out of their way even when you are in the right. You will also get little trade in on high-mileage cars.
If you are going to commute, don't depend exclusively on public transport as it is unreliable at times, particularly the train. The bus is uncomfortable (for me anyway, I'm 6 foot 3) but it is more frequent than the train. They are all improving so in the next few years that could all change. When using the bus or train, you will still need to get to the terminus or station in Gorey and then when you get to Dublin you will have to get out to Finglas from the City centre. You will never do the trip in less than 2 hours and a bit when you use public transport and you will also be at the mercy of their time-table which can be a pain if you finish work early the odd time or if you need to work late on occasions.
Commuting will effect your social life and other stuff aswell. Forget about following the soaps on telly and getting involved in community activities will be difficult unless you are very committed.
This all might sound a bit gloomy and discouraging but it's not as bad as I might appear to be painting it. I have been doing it for a long time now and I would never consider moving closer to work, I love where I live and I actually do have a social life. I am also very involved in community activities and voluntary groups but like I said earlier, it needs a lot of committment. I don't miss Coronation Street or the like, I was never a big soap fan. My main area of regret is that I would like to have more time at home with my wife and 4 kids but my work does allow a good amount of flexibility at certain times of the year which compensates.
Before you make the choice to commute, examine your motives. Do you already live in Gorey or are you thinking of moving down. If you are thinking of relocating I would think very carefully about it. I know several people who have moved back to Dublin because they could not cope with the commute, it's not for everyone. If you are doing it purely for a cheap house with a bit more ground around it then I would think carefully. There's more to a home than cheap bricks and mortar. You have to look at the environmental factors aswell, will you be a local participant, neighbours and friends are an important part of the whole deal and you need to be sure that you don't leave yourself and anyone else with you with a shortfall that you later realise is actually important.
At this stage I think I've said enough, good luck with you decision. I know I'm happy with mine and would never move from here. Make sure you choice is an informed one and if you have any more questions feel free to contact me at senderunknown@eircom.net
If I can help, I will, good luck
God! Did I write that much???
Sorry!