Ireland: Rough Romanticism At Howht Peninsula - VIDEO

So, you can even follow the beauty of the coast, not far from Dublin, the beauty of Howth, fishermen port.

The Way Home

To reach Howth, it is not far from city centre, approx. 18 kilometres totally, and the connection is marvellous. You can take a bus or use DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transport) train connection. The journey takes 20-50 minutes, in case of bus, it depends on traffic jam. But, apart of this, it is worth to do it. Less difficult characters can wander around the port, where beautiful asphalted promenades are available, and, for sure, each vagabond can meet a musician, trying to drown sea waves daily and sing fully from his feelings of solitude and distance, dividing him from his sweet home. The Irishmen, as the greatest nomads of the world, dream and sing about...

The Ways along Cliffs

We wish to recommend to more adventurous persons to decide upon the wandering along the coast, or to use some of marked tourist trails and to afford an excursion above cliffs. One of some paths leads directly above its tops, so, it does not remain anything else after a man, than one splash. To tell the truth, the circle way of this outlook is not difficult. When walking slowly, you overcome it within two hours. On the other hand, the beauty, you can enjoy, is worth to be done, and you will keep all such pictures in your memory for long time. For the Irishmen, it could be standard matter but you can evaluate, for sure, a look at inexorable bare rocks, offering their backs to sea whipping. You can be enthusiastic above tinity of lighthouse, the white colour shade of which sends its SOS world-wide. Moreover, unceasingly birds make side-scene  twittering above tires heads of pilgrims, telling them their story. Let´s admit, this is no idea of some scene from paradise, if you could not be in permanent readiness, as you are menaced always that some short but intensive rain comes, where you would be completely wet.

Pirates´ Legend

The port can offer many interesting things, no doubt. Except several bars, restaurants, caffees or confectioneries, the locality could be proud on one building, the Howth Castle, inhabitated since early times of Irish history. According to the legend, in 1576, Mrs. Grace O´ Malley, stopped there but the castle gates remained closed from the reason that the family had a dinner at the same time. So, this courageous „sea wolf“ was really infuriated and she kidnapped Duke of Howth, young inheritor. The young man could return after a promise when even univited visits would be always welcome. Nevertheless, at present, this rule is not valid any more. The building is not open for public. Apart of this, in summer months, you can visit famous rhododendron gardens.

The Irish Eye

From the port, you can see, by means of your eyes, the other local speciality, the island, known as Irish Eye The surface of the island is covered mainly with the rocks, and similar covering has also near Thulla island. Anyway, rocky headland, named as „The Pile“ belongs to most visible elements of such earth formation. The island is not inhabitated but many people navigate there. It is a place, suitable for a stay of sea birds. The ornitologists as well as non -experts of these penniferous animals could hardly find a place, where they could study with satisfaction and in calm their hobby.

Fishermen Paradise

In Howth, you can lease a boat, which can take for fishing any interested party. The fish caught by means of fishing-hooks. It is valid a rule that how many fish you catch, so you can take with. Moreover, some restaurants are ready to prepare (cook) the caught fish. So, the fishing is a domain of such place. Provided a guest would like to participate in such popular amusement, he would receive the aborigines´ appreciation, for sure. And believe us, everybody could obtain their unforgettable memories.

Howth in its Fight for Independence

Howth was written also into history of Irish people in their fight for the independence. So, in 1914, a ship with 900 weapons on board landed its coasts. This action was organized by Erskine Childers, famous Irish nationalist. The members of Irish volunteers possessed numerous kinds of „goods“ brought for participants of so called Easter Uprising, which changed completely the Irish history.

Famous inhabitants

When the favourable weather prevails, Howth is really a top on so called „inhaled Irish cake“. So, many big stars of  emerald sky settled there. You can find there a home of Mr. Larry Mullen, drummer of famous U2 - group, Mrs. Dolores O´Riordan, famous singer of Cranberries or John Banville, writer and holder of Booker Prize. So, everybody could find there his inspiration.

And, frankly speaking: no artist could be at all, for sure!

Text/photo/video: Zuzana Dastychová

Translation: ing. jan Jonáš