Sandyford Industrial Estate ***New Job***

Karen_B

I just accepted a new job and am due to start 3rd September

I will be commuting from the Northside (around the Balbriggan area) and working 8.30 - 5pm

I'm thinking I could commute through the city centre on the way in and be aiming to get there for around 8.10 or so (avoiding the heavier traffic in town) but on the way home I'll be taking the M50

I've read some horrible stories of people trying to get out of the industrial estate, do you have any idea what the commute will be like?

I've always said I'd love to cycle but I've never lived close enough to work and have always taken the train... another option would be to park at whitehall and cycle in and out, I would prob need to build up to that distance as my main experience with cycling is spinning classes!!!

Does anybody have any other ideas?? The commute with train and then luas is really long as I'd have to first drive to the train station as well

thomasj

Karen_B wrote: »

I just accepted a new job and am due to start 3rd September

I will be commuting from the Northside (around the Balbriggan area) and working 8.30 - 5pm

I'm thinking I could commute through the city centre on the way in and be aiming to get there for around 8.10 or so (avoiding the heavier traffic in town) but on the way home I'll be taking the M50

I've read some horrible stories of people trying to get out of the industrial estate, do you have any idea what the commute will be like?

I've always said I'd love to cycle but I've never lived close enough to work and have always taken the train... another option would be to park at whitehall and cycle in and out, I would prob need to build up to that distance as my main experience with cycling is spinning classes!!!

Does anybody have any other ideas?? The commute with train and then luas is really long as I'd have to first drive to the train station as well

One option would be to take the train to blackrock (most morning trains from Drogheda do) and then take the 114 to sandyford.

Karen_B

Thanks for your very quick reply

Yes but I read that the bus takes about 30mins from there?? I have about at ten minute drive then a ten minute walk and then over an hour train journey I'd say to get to Blackrock

Maybe an option would be to cycle from Blackrock to Sandyford, if I had somewhere to leave the bike on both ends

markpb

Karen_B wrote: »

I've read some horrible stories of people trying to get out of the industrial estate, do you have any idea what the commute will be like?

Getting into and out of the estate at peak hours is still a pain in the ass. If you can work flexi-time, it's much better. Blackthorn to M50 in the evening can take 20-30 minutes in my experience but I don't do it often so I'm open to correction.

thomasj wrote: »

One option would be to take the train to blackrock (most morning trains from Drogheda do) and then take the 114 to sandyford.

It's worth having a look at 114 timetable before deciding on this option - it's an amazingly poor bus service.

Karen_B

Thanks Mark, I don't think I fancy a train and bus, I did it for 3 years when I was in college in UCD and even with college hours and a very frequent bus service it was a nightmare

I think I'd be leaning towards driving, a drive and cycle combination or a train and cycle combination

Losty Dublin

If you are driving then you are as well to take the M 50 both ways. Going into and out of town is the guts of an hour of stop-start drive, more if it's a wet day.

Losty Dublin

Losty Dublin wrote: »

If you are driving then you are as well to take the M 50 both ways. Going into and out of town is the guts of an hour of stop-start drive, more if it's a wet day.

I should add, guts of an hour from M 50 to Sandyford via town.

john kinsella

The m50 is much better now than it was a couple of years ago.

You would be surprised with the lack of traffic. Maybe it will build a little bit at the Sandyford exit in the morning but not by much. Its bad around 8.45 or so but earlier its considerably better.

Getting out a five is a different story though. Getting on to the M50 again can take a good 15 mins depending on where in Sandyford you will be working.

I'd say just drive.

Karen_B

I'll be working in the Microsoft building so I would be driving out on Blackthorn Avenue onto Leopardstown Road I think

spank_inferno

You are probably better off driving.

Google gives a driving time of 40 mins however realisticly I would budget for about 70 mins.
Either way it is still not bad.

Sometimes it can be tough to exit the estate but that tends to be in the Blackrock direction, away from the M50 exits.

Depending on your access to the city centre, the Luas may also assist.

spank_inferno

Karen_B wrote: »

I'll be working in the Microsoft building so I would be driving out on Blackthorn Avenue onto Leopardstown Road I think

You can exit there or alternatively use the Dundrum Exit and get into the estate from the direction of the Beacon Hotel.

Once Microsoft have a spot for you to park the car, I'd opt for driving.

Beano

Karen_B wrote: »

I'll be working in the Microsoft building so I would be driving out on Blackthorn Avenue onto Leopardstown Road I think

If you want to avoid the Leopardstown roundabout (and you really should) there is a much better alternative if you will be working in Microsoft (which is just across the road from me so say hi). Instead of turning right onto Balckthorn Road, turn left. You will have the luas on your right. Follow this road until you get to the Drummartin link road. Turn left here. This will bring you down towards the Beacon Hotel (which will be on your left). Go through the lights and head toward the roundabout. Continue straight through the roundabout. Do not turn right towards the M50 northbound. At the next lights turn left. This will bring on to the leopardstown road. Continue on this road and turn left at the next lights. This brings you up to the roundabout for exit 14. Turn left at the roundabout and you will be straight on to the M50. From my office which is straight across from Microsoft i can get onto the M50 in 10 minutes. Going any other way is at least double that and sometimes more. Its sounds a bit convulated but it definitely works.

Victor

Train to Blackrock + bike?

Karen_B

Beano wrote: »

If you want to avoid the Leopardstown roundabout (and you really should) there is a much better alternative if you will be working in Microsoft (which is just across the road from me so say hi). Instead of turning right onto Balckthorn Road, turn left. You will have the luas on your right. Follow this road until you get to the Drummartin link road. Turn left here. This will bring you down towards the Beacon Hotel (which will be on your left). Go through the lights and head toward the roundabout. Continue straight through the roundabout. Do not turn right towards the M50 northbound. At the next lights turn left. This will bring on to the leopardstown road. Continue on this road and turn left at the next lights. This brings you up to the roundabout for exit 14. Turn left at the roundabout and you will be straight on to the M50. From my office which is straight across from Microsoft i can get onto the M50 in 10 minutes. Going any other way is at least double that and sometimes more. Its sounds a bit convulated but it definitely works.

Brilliant thanks for your help! Do you normally leave around 5 as well???

Beano

Karen_B wrote: »

Brilliant thanks for your help! Do you normally leave around 5 as well???

I actually leave at 5.30 and it still only takes 10 minutes.

Nate--IRL--

Victor wrote: »

Train to Blackrock + bike?

Where to leave the bike in Blackrock however?

Nate

Karen_B

Beano wrote: »

I actually leave at 5.30 and it still only takes 10 minutes.

Ah ok so that doesn't sound too bad... Thanks again for your help I'll be giving that go on September 3rd!

sk8board

Hi Karen,

how has this beeing going? That route suggested by beano looks excellent.

patrickbrophy18

To the OP,

I have attached two screenshots with the most relevant travel information for your commute. The first screenshot (IrishRailTimetable.png) shows 4 of the direct services from Balbriggan as well as journeys were a change has to be made in town. The second screenshot (DublinBusTimetable.png) is a snippet from the 114 route timetable showing departures from Blackrock Train Station.

I've highlighted the recommended Balbriggan to Blackrock journeys in blue and purple which correspond the closest with the respective blue and purple departures of the 114 bus. In other words, the train arrival at Blackrock is tied in (somewhat closely) with the departure of the connecting 114 bus.

You'll probably be waiting about 10-15 minutes for the bus to leave which should be enough time to grab a coffee provided that the train is on schedule. Anyway, good luck and congratulations with the job!:D