Dublin Bay has always been at the centre of the history and development of Dublin City, but only in relatively recent times has it been appreciated as a valuable public amenity in its own right. Long viewed primarily in terms of shipping and transport - and as a convenient place to dump Dublin's waste - today it is enjoyed by thousands of sailors, windsurfers, cliff walkers, painters and others who are grateful to have this remarkable natural resource on their doorstep. "A Guide to Dublin Bay" looks at all aspects of what has been called Dublin's greatest asset: Dublin Bay in History, from the Battle of Clontarf to the sinking of the HMS Leinster by a German U-boat; Business on the Bay, with profiles of Irish Ferries, Stena Line, Dublin Port Co, the fishing industry and others; Watersports on the Bay, from sailing to scuba diving to swimming at the Forty Foot Baths in Sandycove; Safeguarding the Bay, with descriptions of the Martello towers, Poolbeg, Bailey and other lighthouses and the Irish Lifeboat Service; and the Natural Environment, looking at birdwatching, the Bull Island nature reserve, environmental issues, coastal marshes, water quality and exotic sea life.
It also looks at: Day Trips on and by the Bay, including SeaSafari and other tours, cliff walks, and the Dart tour from Howth to Bray; Literary Links with the Bay, featuring James Joyce's Ulysses and Finnegans Wake; The Battle for the Bay, describing the controversies over repeated attempts at infills and other commercial development of the Bay, and the vigorous objections to them; and, the Future of the Bay, looking at the current proposals for sensible development of the Bay so that it can be enjoyed by all. With dozens of photographs, maps and illustrations, "A Guide to Dublin Bay" will be of great interest to both locals and tourists, and indeed to anyone with an appreciation of this unique and exceptional natural resource.