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Hobbling around Howth

While in Dublin I stayed south of the city in the Dun Laoghaire (pronounced Dun Leery) area.  My airbnb room overlooked the sea....this is the view I woke up to every morning.  My first evening there I pulled the chair up to the window and just sat and stared.  I do love the ocean!


From now on I wouldn't stay anywhere else but the south coast of Dublin...with the DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) trains "darting" up and down the coast through central Dublin you are not far from anything.   It may be more expensive (especially when you shove your three day pass into the wrong slot and lose it - we won't mention any names here...) but totally worth it as far as I am concerned.  Waking up to fresh sea air and the screech of sea gulls can't be beat.  My airbnb was a steal at approximately $60 Cdn a night (plus service charge).   

So need I add I "darted"up and down the coast as much as I could in the time I had.  I still have unfinished business however...I need to spend more time in Dalky and I didn't make it to Malahide. 

After a sunny day exploring Dublin I decided to head north to the end of the DART line where the town of Howth awaited.  My airbnb host Sheila told me it was a lovely place to have fish and chips.

Was too tired to walk along the pier....next time!



Brightly coloured local houses
I was very hungry after walking all day in Dublin so didn't waste much time before I went hunting for fish and chips.  There were lots of restaurants along the water but the prices were ridiculous...I finally decided to just do it but was seated at one of those awful tables that are small with a high chair - like bar stools.  I thought "okay I'm paying 15 Euros for this?  I don't think so" and I got up and left... I am so happy I did as when I walked further along the high street  I discovered the local fish and chippy.  Apparently it's a very popular Dublin establishment.  I ordered Cod goujons (strips) with chips as it was the cheapest option (and I was in a cheap mood in case you couldn't tell) for less than half the price of the restaurant.   Nothing like sitting outside having fish and chips by the sea...even if you have to turn your back to the wind and hang onto your food for dear life in between the sea gulls eyeballing your meal and the danger of having napkins, boxes, etc. blow away. 


The best fish and chips I had on the trip

Having been given a "second wind" by the food I then headed up the hill to visit the Martello tower I had seen earlier.  These towers are all along the coast and were built in the early 1800's to defend Dublin against attacks by Napoleon.  They have been utilized for different things such as the Joyce Tower in Sandycove...this one was called the Hurdygurdy musem and apparently housed old phonographs, radios, etc.  It was deserted when I ventured up there or I would have been tempted to visit...



 The view from up here was gorgeous!!!


The harbour

Looking towards the town
Going back down the hill I stopped to admire the ruins of St Mary's Abbey from the road..I couldn't figure out how to get there and as I mentioned I was tired after a full day out.





I loved the design on this van!

I thoroughly enjoyed my short time in Howth.  My biggest regret is going at the end of the day when I was tired.  I hadn't done any research on Howth as I thought it was just a good place for fish and chips and it was something I decided to do on the spur of the moment. There is just so much to see there...the Howth website showcases beautiful walks, local attractions such as transport museum, a Celtic grave and even a castle.  Never mind, I will be back and next time I will spend a full day there!


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