GUIDE TO NORTH CO. -, and

GENERAL ORIENTATION

Twelve miles north of Dublin city are the coastal towns of Malahide, Portmarnock and Howth.

While Portmarnock is the best known golfing destination the towns of Malahide and Howth offer more choice for activities, pubs and restaurants.

Howth is a picturesque fishing village on 3 miles north of Portmarnock is a peninsula jutting into the . Malahide, a marine village which is a The centre of the peninsula is large sailing centre. dominated by Howth Hill and a road circumnavigates the peninsula startind and ending at Sutton Cross.

In 1914, it was described as a genteel ghetto for disengaged West Britons. In Howth is a pleasant village to browse the 'twenties the buses came and and offers a wide range of restaurants croquet was played alongside the Band and pubs. There is also Beshoff’s Fish Garden on Sundays. Though subject to Restaurant, one of Dublin’s famous population pressures Malahide has takeaways founded by a Russian managed to retain its ‘old world immigrant. The fish to go with the elegance’. freshly cut chips can be chosen from a staggering variety of species. Malahide offers a further choice of restaurants and pubs. The Abbey Tavern provides Irish is open to visitors. entertainment evenings.

Inland the ruins of 15th century Howth DART services to Dublin City centre are Castle contains fine rhododendron available from Howth Junction, gardens. A small, impressive transport Portmarnock and Malahide stations. All museum can be visited near the DART villlages are also served by bus routes. railway station, featuring Howth's Dublin is 10 miles from Portmarnock. famous open-topped tram.

GUIDE TO NORTH CO. DUBLIN -Portmarnock, Malahide and Howth

HIGHLIGHTS XPORTMARNOCK BEACH X MALAHIDE CASTLE

Portmarnock Beach Portmarnock Beach is a glorious sweep Malahide Castle is set in 250 acres of Malahide Castle of golden sand that stretches for 5 miles parkland and has been both a fortress Howth Village from just south of Malahide to , and a family home for nearly 800 years. Howth Cliffs and is a popular swimming, sunbathing The Talbot family owned the castle from and horse riding beach for Dubliners. 1185 to 1973. On the morning of the North Battle of the Boyne in 1690, fourteen members of the Talbot family breakfasted together in this room, never to return, as all were dead by nightfall.

HOWTH RESTAURANTS

The beach is backed by magnificent The Wheelhouse dunes which harbour fascinating flora. The Four Earls The views towards Howth and

King Sitric (Fish) Ireland’s Eye, a bird sanctuary and 6th The castle is an interesting mix of The Abbott century monastic settlement 2km off architectural styles, furnished with The Meridian the coast, are stunning with the Dublin beautiful period furniture and home to mountains further in the background. many fine paintings from the National

Gallery. A major feature of Malahide MALAHIDE X BAILY LIGHTHOUSE Castle Demesne is the beautiful Talbot Botanic Gardens. The gardens were RESTAURANTS created by Lord Milo Talbot between The Baily Lighthouse marks the 1948 and 1973 and cover an area of northernmost point of and is Cruzzos between 7ha and 8ha of shrubbery and one of three lights that guide all sea Giovannis 1.5ha of walled gardens Bon Appetit traffic on approach to . The first light was built in 1667 and a Colonnade replacement in 1790. However the beacons were never ideal as when they X HOWTH CLIFF WALK were needed most they were themselves shrouded in mist or low There are spectacular views and some cloud. The present lighthouse was built spectacularly located houses along the in 1814 and its powerful beam can be cliff walk to the east of the harbour. It seen 27 nautical miles away. is highly recommended to enjoy a short stroll or longer walk.

The Baily Lighthouse was the last Irish The walk goes all the way to Sutton and lighthouse to be fully automated in passes Baily Light and Journey’s End, 1997. a spectacularly located private house. GUIDE TO NORTH CO. DUBLIN -Portmarnock, Malahide and Howth

HOWTH BARS X HOWTH VILLAGE X NORTH BULL ISLAND

Abbey Tavern Howth is a fishing harbour and village, Another popular walking destination is Cock Tavern very popular for day trips to browse the North Bull Island. In 1821, the 1 Pier House shops or simply relax in the atmosphere kilometre-long North was and enjoy the views. constructed, under the supervision of Captain Bligh of the ‘Bounty’, to protect MALAHIDE the shipping entrance to Dublin Port. X NEWBRIDGE HOUSE Gradually, sand accumulated behind the BARS wall leading to the formation of Bull Newbridge House & Demense, near Island. Bull Island is home to both Royal Gibneys , was built in 1736 for Dublin and St. Anne’s golf clubs. Smyths Archbishop Cobbe. Original furniture paintings and objets d’art are a feature of this gracious Georgian House.

The island is an ecological reserve. It was declared a Bird Sanctuary in the

1930's, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in The extensive 150 hectare demense 1981, a Nature Reserve in 1988 and a includes a walled garden, a wildlife and Wetland of International Importance deer park and a 19th Century working under the Ramsar Convention. The farm where animals, machinery and old Island is home at various times to 8,000 farming techniques are on view. A wild fowl and 26,000 waders with up to museum of 19th century country life is 180 different bird species being

contained in picturesque old buidlings recorded. Strand is on the around the 18th century courtyard. eastern (seaward) edge of the island and is another fine Dublin beach, much valued by generations of Dubliners. X SKERRIES MILLS

A 16th century milling complex with a unique collection of two windmills and X ARDGILLAN CASTLE a watermill with associated millpond, mill races and wetlands. The centre Ardgillan Castle, near , was also includes an industrial heritage built in 1737. Now beautifully restored museum showcasing winds and water and furnished in the Victorian style, the energy. principal rooms, kitchens and the Down

Survey Exhibition are open to the public. The mills were used to grind wheat, The park commands views of the coast oats and barley – wind power and contains a rose garden, a walled complementing water power. The mills herd garden and a Victorian are open 7 days a week from 10:30 conservatory. a.m.