| County Dublin |
| Around Dublin |
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Around Dublin - Howth: Fishing port
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Around Dublin - Hiking on the sea coast between Howth and Dublin
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 Around Dublin - Gulls flying over the rocks
The
curve of Dublin Bay is well deserved by the Dart and there is a number
of interesting sites to stop by. A popular litlle coast town and busy
harbour southeast of Dublin, DUN LAOGHAIRE was formerly known as
Kingstown until the Irish independence. The East (1290m) and the West
(1548m) Piers form the boundaries to the huge harbour. Both are a
popular destination for walking, bird-watching and fishing. Three
yachting centres are to be found along the harbour: |
the Royal Irish
Yacht Club, the Royal St George Yacht Club and the National Yacht Club.
Unfortunately the fort (dun) that gave its name to Dun Laoghaire has
been destroyed during the construction of the train line. No more than
a kilometer South of Dun Laoghaire lies SANDYCOVE, where the Martello
Tower houses the James Joyce Museum (call 280 9265 for information).
James Joyce’s masterpiece ‘Ulysses’ starts in the Martello Tower. You
will enjoy a nice view from the tower, from Dalkey island to the
Southeast to Howth to the North. The Forty Foot Pool is a open-air
seawater bathing pool in the water of which a morning dip is a
tradition.
Further South following the coastline you will reach the pretty town of
DALKEY, where the remains of a few old castles can be seen. The Dalkey
Castle & Heritage Centre (call 285 8366 for information) has
several displays and exhibitions retracing the history of the town. The
small Dalkey Island (9 hectares) lies offshore from Coliemore Harbour
and can be reached by boat. Approximately 1 km South of Dalkey lies the
suburb of KILLINEY, home to a great number of Irish celebrities such as
Bono and Enya. A nice thing to do is to walk across Killiney Hill from
Dalkey to Killiney with great views on the coastline.
At the northern end of Dublin Bay is the HOWTH Peninsula, Howth being a
major fishing centre and yachting harbour. Once the main Dublin Harbour
for the packet boats from England, Howth's importance gradually
decreased as Dun Laoghaire Harbour developed. From the summit you will
have nice views across Dublin Bay and you will be able to walk to the
top of the Ben of Howth where a cairn supposedly marks an ancient
Celtic Royal grave. From the site of the Bailey Lighthouse you will
have a great view on Dun Laoghaire and the South of Dublin Bay. A short
boat trip will take you to the Ireland's Eye, a great spot for bird
watching as it is a sea-bird sanctuary (call Doyle & Sons on 831
4200 for information). When it comes to eating, Howth is the best place
for seafood, be it in a restaurant or to cook yourself if you make your
pick from the variety of seafood shops along the West Pier.
Beyond Howth and still a short distance from Dublin, MALAHIDE is still
a nice little town although swallowed by Dublin's expansion. Malahide
Castle (call 846 2184 for information), now the property of Dublin
County Council is a three-storey tower house dating back to the 12th
Century. Next to the castle are the Talbot Botanic Gardens and the Fry
Model Railway is on castle grounds. |
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