Cartes de liberté DoDublin

One must-see destination outside of the city is Howth Harbour.

Getting there:

Take the 31/a bus from Talbot Street.

Things to do:

Howth Market is home to an array of Irish crafts, delicate handmade jewellery, and vintage

antiques; perfect for gift shopping. While you’re there, be sure to sample the wide selection

of organic foods on offer, like olives, cheeses, nuts and of course, delicious chocolate and

cupcakes. Or if you’re feeling peckish grab a burger, stir-fry or gooey pastrami melt sandwich

for a picnic.

Less than a ten-minute walk from the market, you’ll find Howth Castle and Grounds.

Immerse yourself in history and take in the beautiful surrounding gardens, which are

home to a ten-metre high hedge and the ruins of St Mary’s Abbey. Also in the castle,

you’ll find restored Georgian kitchens, where cookery school The Kitchen in the Castle

host half-day and evening classes.

In the evenings, pubs like The Abbey Tavern and The Bloody Stream host live music,

dancing and comedy events.

Great walks:

From the harbour to Howth Head, there’s something for every level of walker in this

fishing village. Try the Bog of Frogs Loop for scenic views of the cliffs, Lambay Island

and the Baily Lighthouse. There are four route options, so once you disembark the

DART, look out for signs displaying directions. For something a bit gentler, take a stroll

down the pier. From here you can take in the views of Ireland’s Eye, a beautiful island

that’s just a 15-minute boat ride away. Explore its long sandy beach, take in breath-taking

views of Dublin Bay, go bird-watching, see a Martello Tower up close or even try your

hand at fishing.

Places to eat:

Seafood, of course, takes centre stage in the many pubs and restaurants of Howth.

Try The Brass Monkey for seafood tapas and wine, or head to the nearby Oar House

Fish Restaurant, where food is so fresh, it’s still swimming in a glass tank when you

arrive! At the very end of the pier you'll find Aqua, another restaurant specialising in

seafood, offering stunning views of Ireland's Eye while you dine in style. But before

you commit to a location, why not take a walk along the pier and down the town centre

and check out the many menus on offer? If seafood isn’t your thing, the aforementioned

Abbey Tavern, where many music and comedy legends started their careers

performing, has plenty of hearty beef and lamb dishes. Or head to quirky Dog House

Blues Team Rooms for pizza, fresh from the wood-fire stove. They’ve a delicious

selectionof teas on offer too and with their cosy couch set-up, you won’t want to leave.

Walk & eat:

For tasty take-out fish and chips, stop by Beshoffs, a much-loved Dublin institution,

or stall by the van at the West Pier harbour. We recommend you sample their calamari,

and afterwards, stroll along the seafront for an ice-cream and take it down the pier.

The perfect combo!

Of course, great food doesn’t begin and end here. There’s lots more to be explored

in Howth, both online and on foot.