Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Howth's harbor to defend it from a Napoleonic invasion that never came. The harbor then
grew as a port for shipping from Liverpool and Wales. It was eventually eclipsed by Dun
Laoghaire,whichwasfirsttogainrailaccess.IrishrebelssmuggledGerman-suppliedguns
into Ireland via Howth in 1914, making the 1916 Easter Uprising possible. These days,
this is a pleasant, sleepy hamlet.
Getting to Howth
The DART light rail system zaps travelers between Howth and the city twice as fast as
the bus and sans traffic (4/hour, 25 minutes, runs Mon-Sat about 6:00-23:30, Sun from
9:00,€2.80oneway,€5.25round-tripsgoodsamedayonly,3-daypass-€13.90,EurailPass
valid if you use a counted flexi-day, tel. 01/703-3504, www.irishrail.ie ). If you're com-
ing from Dublin, catch a DART train marked “Howth” (not Howth Junction, Malahide, or
Drogheda ) and ride it to the end of the line—passing through Howth Junction en route.
All trains departing Howth head straight to Dublin's Connolly Station, and then continue
on to Tara and Pearse stations.
If you go by bus, #31 or #31B link Dublin's Eden Quay and the well-marked bus stop
on Howth's harborfront (1 hour, €2.80). A taxi from the airport takes about 20 minutes
and costs about €20. Try Executive Cabs (tel. 01/839-6020). With easy DART access into
Dublin and plentiful parking, Howth is a good option for those with cars.
Orientation to Howth
Howth perches on the north shore of the peninsula, clustered along a quarter-mile har-
borfront promenade that stretches from the DART station (in the west) to the martello
tower on the bluff (in the east). Its two stony piers clutch like crab claws at the Irish
Sea. The West Pier has the fishing action and TI, while the East Pier extends to a stubby
200-year-old lighthouse and views of a rugged nearby island, Ireland's Eye. Abbey Street
extends south, uphill from the harbor near the base of the martello tower bluff, becoming
MainStreetwithmostoftheshopsandpubs.Alongthestreet,you'llfindthepostofficein
thebackoftheCentraMarket(Mon-Fri9:00-13:00&14:15-18:00,Sat9:00-13:00,closed
Sun) and the library (free Internet access, only one terminal, Mon and Wed 14:00-20:30,
Tue and Thu-Sat 10:00-13:00 & 14:00-17:00, closed Sun). Ulster Bank has the only ATM
in town, across the street from the DART station and to the left of the Gem Market.
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