We Need To Talk About The Putrid Smell In Booterstown Because It’s Not Okay

Megan Cassidy

Blackrock is one of our favourite spots in the city to head for some grub, and a month doesn’t go by without a visit to the Blackrock markets.

But at the moment, you’d be hard pushed to pass the city suburb on the Dart, with the absolutely foul breeze that’s creeping in the window of late.

The disgusted Blackrock residents covering their faces with scarves every evening is Ross O’ Carroll Kelly’s DREAM – but alas, it is a very real nightmare for those with a sensitive disposition.

I myself moved to Blackrock just over three weeks ago, and noticed the *fishy* odour a couple of weeks back.

A quick scroll through Twitter and Reddit shows I’m not alone.

@IrishRail can we strap a load of @Febreze_Fresh bottles to the DART for going through Booterstown to sort that fuggin smell.

— Ciaran McCormack (@_ciaran_mc) June 8, 2018

petition for the booterstown marsh to be moved to the north side where we can’t smell it thank you

— sophie (@sophiemrtn) June 5, 2018

And it’s not the first time we’ve had an epidemic… it seems like it happens every summer

Why does booterstown smell so bad

— egg on the floor (@herbiwh0re_) July 23, 2016

The smell of the sea is just breathtaking after it just rained …#booterstown

— Leila Siid (@leilasmily) July 18, 2014

One Redditor asked:

‘What’s the story behind the obnoxious smell of rotting fish around Blackrock in Dublin.

The smell is so strong that makes it hard to focus. The smell has been there for the past 4 to 5 days. Does anyone know why?’

Answers included ‘Prevailing wind at low tide coupled with the high heat’ as well as the Booterstown Marsh.

The highlight of Day 11 of #30DaysWild? The beautiful salt marsh of Booterstown Nature Reserve. A gem, right beside the Dart station! But… the… smell ???? Jaysus. Thanks for the tip – and the warning – @JaneCStout! pic.twitter.com/ulhL8GnB7m

— Hannah Beth Hamilton (@theRiverField) June 11, 2018

The marsh is a protected nature reserve due to the presence of rare fauna and also attracts a wide variety of migrating birds as well as ducks, geese and waders.

So our only advice is try and focus on the beauty of nature to ease the intense gagging next time you pay a visit to Booterstown in the good weather… because it’s not going anywhere anytime soon.