08/09/17 - Howth Head, Dublin

Distance - 5 Miles
Geocaches - 4
Pub - Abbey Tavern, Howth

If Mrs Mappiman had her nefarious way, she would have has us adding more Temple Bar Pubs to the our Dublin Ticklist.

I said we've done enough drinking on the Floating OAP Home that is the Cruise and Maritime Columbus.  Its time to get some fresh air in our lungs.

I had no idea what was at Howth Head, but I knew it was relatively easy to get there on the Dart.  A slow train ride across the Dublin rooftops to get to the end of the line.

Now, I am not going to say its easy to navigate from the Station to the Ben of Howth but the views make it worth it.  We scramble along old tramlines, the back of estate houses and possibly end up trespassing on the Golf course.  It takes a walk abroad to really appreciate the detail on OS Maps.

Views from the Ben of Howth

We explore the heathland, grabbing a Geocache or two and fight our way down the hill to the Coastal Path.

The walking moves from great to spectacular.  A jaw dropping view of Baily Lighthouse and a superb cliff coastal path, that is appealing to all ages and nationality's today.

Baily Lighthouse

We can't believe our luck.  A random walk has turned into an absolute booster.  We even laugh off the drenching the rainstorm provides and are rewarded with a superb ocean based rainbow.

Not the only ones admiring what the rain leave behind

No possibility of an inland short cut, so we follow the headland all the way around.  The scenery keeps on delivering.

Howth Headland

Back in the town and there is a choice of eateries.  Smart Phone based research suggests the Abbey Tavern would appeal to a history loving pub ticker the most.  C16th and former patrons include Katherine Hepburn, John Wayne and Neil Diamond.

If you go, ignore the eye watering price tag on the Dublin Bay Scampi.  It might be the best 20 Euros ever spent.

Our sort of Place

Predictable - both in beverage and what happens after a week at sea with no WiFi

It that good that two coach loads of fellow pensioner cruisers were delivered for an upstairs buffet.

We thought we had escaped.