#howthcycletours

On these cold and dark winter mornings, we have been in search of something to lift our spirits a bit and just a bit of a pick-me-up.

Thankfully, we recently stumbled upon this gem in Howth village. The Grind is a coffee house using high-quality 3fe roasted coffee beans  They are committed to sustainability and offer a discount to customers with a reusable cup. 

On our visit we sampled some of their many delicious delights on offer such as homemade cookies and brownies. Their moreish pancakes with delectable toppings are a big hit with customers here and they come with a selection of tasty toppings such as oreo cookies, chocolate chips and reeses peanut butter cups. There are also many food and drink offerings for the health-conscious too such as protein pancakes, smoothies and acaí bowls and more.

This impressive sculpture was erected in 2013 on the East Pier of Howth Harbour. The Réalt na Mara or Star of the Sea sculpture stands at 12m in height and is made of polished stainless steel to reflect maximum light. It is the work of Robert McColgan, a well-known and respected public sculptor.

A striking Celtic Cross monument located at Howth harbour.

A recent addition to Howth Harbour is an impressive art installation. Three wooden sculptures are located on the slope beside the Courthouse in Howth, overlooking the harbour and are the work of Richie Clarke. The talented wordcarver from Co. Westmeath was influenced by Celtic mythology, Irish folklore and fantasy literature. 

The installation is a great addition to the village. The idea of its creation was conceived when a group from Howth Tidy Towns viewed the wooden sculptures on a visit to Malahide and asked if it would be possible for Howth to have something similar. There was collaboration amongst several Howth stakeholders including residents as to what the theme for the proposed sculptures should be. Most people preferred the idea of three wooden sculptures with a maritime theme to reflect the location.  

I would highly recommend checking these sculptures out on your next visit to Howth. They are proof that art and culture has such a powerful and positive impact on a place.

Did you know that Howth was home to the poet and writer William Butler Yeats? He lived in the village during his teenage years and the fishing village certainly made an impression on him. He wrote the essay ‘Village Ghosts’ which was published in The Celtic Twilight in 1893. In this essay, Yeats gives a meticulous account of Howth ghosts, immortalising their spirits. These spirits include the headless individual on the quay, the white-capped woman by the cemetery and the Devil himself who appeared in the shape of a white cat at Hospital Lane.

The great news of vaccine developments is getting us excited and hopeful again. In this positive spirit we want to give people some inspiration on places to visit in Howth when it is safe again to do so. The Abbey Tavern is at the top of our list of places to visit and is located right in the heart of Howth village. It is a world famous Traditional Irish Pub, Restaurant and Entertainment Venue with a unique 16th century location. So if you’re on the hunt for great food and drink, a lively atmosphere and lots of interesting historical information-look no further!

The Abbey Tavern occupies a section of the original 11th Century site of St Mary’s Abbey, which was founded in 1042 by the Viking Sigtrygg II Silkbeard Olafsson – King of Dublin, who also founded Christchurch Cathedral. Parts of The Abbey Tavern building itself date back to the 16th century, when it was built as an addition to the original chapterhouse to serve as a seminary for the monks.

The Abbey Tavern has hosted many stars of the cinema and music world as well as royalty. The famous names who have visited this charming pub include Princess Grace and Prince Rainier of Monaco, Ted Kennedy, Katherine Hepburn, John Wayne, Kate Beckinsdale, Neil Diamond, Garth Brooks, Pierce Brosnan and the stars of “Jackass”. The Abbey Tavern Traditional Irish night is a fantastic event and many famous trad artists such as The Dubliners, The Chieftans, Johnny McEvoy, Planxty and Christy Moore have graced the stage.