Route 239

The 239 has always been a route I found interesting, from it City Imp operated days to the day RV617 appeared on it in the days before double deckers were allowed, I always enjoy a spin on the 239.

RV617 at Liffey Valley Shoping Centre having completed a journey on the 239

On Monday I got another surprise on the 239, an EV. EV39 arrived into Blanchardstown Shopping Centre 'Out of Service' and parked up, I was waiting for the 10.30am departure on the 239 but I was convinced that EV39 would be operating another route, I was wrong and happy to be wrong too! At 10.20 the driver moved up to the stop and displayed '239 Liffey Valley', fantastic!

The bus stops at Blanchardstown Shopping Centre recently received the new style Dublin Bus stops...

The 239 routing now avoids some of the older narrower roads, instead of serving Castleknock Village and Porterstown, the route operates via Coolmine, Carpenterstown/Diswellstown (Route 37 terminus), to Clonsilla Village and Clonsilla Train Station where the route crosses the narrow railway bridge...
When we reached Westmanstown another surprised appeared! RH23 tree looping...
After Westmanstown, the route operates via Laraghcon Estate into Lucan Village and towards the Newcastle Road junction with the N4. This junction is currently in the process of being grade separated. Here are some pictures of the works taking place.
The junction with the N4 when approaching from Lucan Village, all traffic must turn left towards the city where a turning lane is then provided for traffic to turn towards Newcastle, of the N4 westbound.

Above: N4 towards cityAbove: Works in the centre of the old junctionAbove: N4 Westbound

When the 239 reaches the N4, it now goes left towards the city centre, and turns at the turning lane and heads back towards Newcastle on the N4 west taking the next left turn up by Esker Church and back onto the normal route via Lucan to Liffey Valley S.C.

EV39 at the 239 stop in Blanchardstown Shopping Centre