Birding Baldoyle

Baldoyle Racecourse closed in 1972 but the site it occupied is still a wonderful amenity in North Dublin. Located just outside the town on the road to Portmarnock, it is now a haven for wildlife and a popular site for walkers throughout the year.  In June 2020, Fingal County Council opened a 1.8 Kilometre Greenway on the site, along the coast road to Portmarnock. The Greenway has been fenced off from the old racetrack site and it has been allowed to grow wild. This makes it the perfect location for wildlife, especially birds.

Access to the area is at the entrance to the Baldoyle Racecourse Community Garden. There are multiple tracks and pathways leading from the garden to a mixed habitat of woodlands, Grasslands and Scrublands. You would need a couple of hours to explore the site. The access to the community garden is on Red Arches Road. There are two laybys on the road opposite the garden. You can drive from Baldoyle Town Centre along the coast road leading to Portmarnock. About 300 metres from the town take a left turn onto Red Arches Road and the parking area is a short drive up this road.  Sat Nav co-ordinates for the parking area are: 53.400497, -6.137322

If you walk back as far as the roundabout and cross the road at the lights, you can see over the sea wall  where you will see waders and gulls at low tide.

If you have time you can also walk along the coast road from Baldoyle to Sutton. Parking is available in the town.