Howth Head

Wir sind an einem sonnigen Tag von Dublin nach Howth mit dem Auto gefahren (DART geht natürlich auch), Ziel war eine der Wanderungen übe die Halbinsel. Wir waren bereits morgens am East Pier dort (kostenfreier Parkplatz) und haben dann die längste Wanderroute an den Cliffs entlang (Lila/​Purple) gewählt. Ein perfekter Tag vom Wetter, wir haben eine große «Grey Seal» gleich am Anfang gesehen. Die Wanderung war in sofern etwas stressig, weil halb Dublin wohl hier war…
Zwischendurch immer wieder tolle Ausblicke auf die Klippen, das Meer und später den Leuchtturm. Zurück sind wir im Eat Café eingelaufen und haben dort Fish&Chips und Dessert genossen. Ein toller Tag, welcher sich bei dem Wetter alle Mal gelohnt hatte. Wenn wir wieder in der Gegend sein sollten, steuern wir Howth wieder an!
Aufenthalt August 2015

A few minutes downhill along the Bailey Green Road will bring you to The Summit Inn, where, if you wish, you can stop for refreshments.

My first site seeing in Ireland was here. I was amazed of the beauty of Howth. No need to travel too far away from Dublin. At the time we went there by bus (can’t remember bus №).
I’ll tell you little secret. There’s this private road off Thormanby Rd. You may be clamped or gates might be locked, so be warned and I don’t advise to drive there, but I did };p~ (location:
).
You must come here and go down to that little beach full of polished sea stones. Seals are common fellows there. Sadly, scumbags don’t appreciate nature and you’ll find too much of trash. Destroys all pleasure of this little stony paradise. It is very slippery on a wet day, be extra careful then on them steep stone stairs.
Over on another side you can reach the lighthouse. It has helipad. There opens up a gorgeous Dublin bay /​Bull island view and The Poolbeg Chimneys.
Be prepared to climb a bit on the way back to the car park. There are several routes and you may extend your journey further on by hiking around the rest of the Howth by trail, which will eventually lead to the Howth village.

You must hike this. I was foolish enough to hike the trail with a baby in a carrier. That made an otherwise moderate hike into a challenging one. I also failed to wear hiking boots. Do not make these mistakes. The views of the Irish sea and cliffs are fantastic. Took the beautiful blue trail which at least was moderate on the way back down.

A wonderful walk around the peninsula that is Howth Head.
The first time we did this walk it was pouring rain, so we cut it short. What a pleasant surprise we had when we finally managed to do the whole circuit the second time round. There was so much more to see, we had no idea how great it was going to be, to be honest. There are a few inlets and small beaches too, so you can cool your feet off too! That’s what we did anyway and it was wonderful.
I recommend you get some pre-​walk tapas in Octopussy on the pier first, then walk it off around the head, with a post-​walk drink in the Bloody Stream.
On a summers day it’s a wonderful way to pass the time and burn some calories.

I’m always surprised how remotely the walk across Howth Head can feel, even though you left the busy seafront with the seals, ice cream-​stands, pubs and cafes only a couple of metres below you, so to say. Tip: walk up the hill first and then make the loop back via the lighthouse and along the cliff walk. Most other walkers do it the other way round.

Your description of this place is enchanting.

The Summit or Howth Head is a place of great serenity and tranquility. At the furthest point of Howth Peninsula, which has one third of the total of Ireland’s flora. The Summit has been the haunt of many people through the ages and still today gets its hikers, families on Sundays, Nature and Wildlife lovers, etc. To gaze out over Dublin Bay and see the many vistas unveil themselves before your eyes is an uplifting event. Follow in the footsteps of those for whom it has acted as a muse — literary giant James Joyce used it as his setting in some of his early literary works and, in particular, Ireland’s Nobel Laureate WB Yeats, whilst he lived here in the 1880’s was known to use it for inspiration. Drink in its sweet air, behold its views, and feel the ancient poetic essence of the place as they have done.