Dublin and Howth

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Dublin (Baile Átha Cliath) is the capital of Ireland and is located on Dublin Bay, an inlet of the Irish Sea. The city was founded in the 9th century by the Vikings and has since become a metropolis and has more than one million inhabitants. Besides a centuries-old university you can visit the famous Kilmainham prison, the Guinness brewery and of course the famous Tempelbar district where you can find countless traditional Irish pubs. Traditionally, there is a separation between the north side and the south side of the city, with the river Liffey as the dividing line.

The Northside is seen as the poorer side, the side of the working class while the Southside is the side for the richer middle- and upper classes. The band U2 comes also from this city. In clips of the band often images and / or photos of Dublin can be found. Even the writer Oscar Wilde lived in the city and you can find a prominent image of him in the Merrion Square. The singer of Thin Lizzy is also immortalized in his Dublin. Finally, writer Dracula, Bram Stoker, gained inspiration for his world-famous book in the Clontarf district. 

Howth is a small fishing village on the east side of Dublin and is a favorite and popular hangout for tourists as well as locals (from Dublin). The most famous resident from the hamlet is Larry Mullen, drummer of U2.

Howth

The beautiful once independent fishing village Howth is located at the mouth of the Dublin bay. Now completely encapsulated by Dublin city, it remains a favorite popular Sunday afternoon attraction for the inhabitants of the capital and for (international) tourist alike. Howth is still an important fishing town with a large sailing port. 

Other sights:

• Museum of modern art.

It’s said that already in the year 500 BC there would have been a kind of Celtic settlement where Dublin is situated now. This is where the city originally got its name from (it would stand for black pool or water). Only when the Vikings arrived about 1000 years later would Dublin become a settlement that can bear a name. In the 9th century it had become customary for the region to be attacked from the north by aggressive Normans who attacked it for women, booz (alcohol) and food.

A number of these bloodthirsty Danish northerners decided to stay and mixed with the local population. In the centuries that followed, Dublin (and Ireland) was slowly taken over by the English Normans. In the 18th century, Dublin (and the rest of the country) was largely run by the wealthy Protestant British while the majority of the population was Irish and Catholic. The first group wanted a major modernization of the city in the then still medieval Dublin. The center was given a metamorphosis and the city became the third in the great British empire.

The suburbs remained virtually unchanged with tens of thousands of poor Catholics who did not have a future perspective. This (economic) growth came to an abrupt end with the treaty of 1801 in which Ireland became formally part of the British Empire. Also, the city would be flooded with people, during the famine disasters of mid-19th century, with tens of thousands of hungry people from the countryside looking for food.

The international airport of Ireland Dublin airport is located 13 km north of the city center. This can be reached via the local bus line 16 (eg Dorset street) - costs 2.80 euros (only cash and exact to pay) and take about 35 minutes. You can also reach the capital of Ireland by boat. There are several train stations in Dublin - for destinations northern and Howth (see below) use the O'Connols train station north of the Liffey river. "Heuston" station is more used for destinations south of Dublin. The most used bus station Busaras is a stone's throw away from "O'Connols" train station, behind the Customs House. Bus Eireann has it’s headquarters here. Numerous taxis, a few trams and local buses run through Dublin. A metro is not present.

Dublin - Howth: the best you can go with the DART train from the O'Connols train station. There are regular trains (the journey takes about 20 minutes) and the costs for a return are 6 euros.

Dublin - Dundalk - Carlingford: For the Custom House (bus stop Custom Quay), bus 100X (see below) goes to Dundalk, which runs approximately every hour and the ride to Dundalk takes between 1.5 and 2 hours. Price for a return is 14.80 euros From the bus station in Dundalk, bus 161 goes to Carlingford, which takes about every 2 hours (8, 10 anda 12 o’clock) and costs are 10.30 euros for a return ticket.

Dublin - Drogheda - Bru de Boinne: bus 100x runs from before the Custom House (stop Custom Quay) to Drogheda about every hour. The journey takes about an hour and costs 7.80 euros. Buses from the bus station in Drogheda run infrequently - about 4 to 5 buses per day. There is certainly one at 11:15 - for a single ticket I paid 4.10 euros. The journey takes about 15 to 20 minutes.

Dublin - (London) Derry: buses run from the Busaras bus station to (London) Derry. Approximately every 2 hours a bus leaves via the airport (sometimes only pick-up stop). I have paid € 23.50 from the airport for a one-way ticket. The

journey takes about 4 hours.

• Name: Kilmainham prison

Address: Inchicore Road

Price: 4 euro (tour)

Time: 09:30 - 17:00

Website: www.heritageirland.com

Content:

Easy to reach with mulitple buses from Aston Quay lies this infamous ex-prison about 3 to 4 kilometers to the west of

the center. It is the intention that you first buy a ticket for a (mandatory) tour and then you (given the hustle and bustle) often have enough time to visit the museum which three stories high.

The tour lasts about an hour and takes you past the cells where, among other things, the rebel leaders of all (the most important of 1916) uprisings from Irish history were trialed (and often killed). At the execution wall are crosses in memory of these Irish war heroes. In the west wing films have been recorded such as the Irish film In the name of the Father but also parts from the Italian Job. U2 taped their videoclip of Celebration in 1983 in this prison.

• Name: Storehouse Guinness brewery museum

Address: St. James Gate brewery

Price: 18 euros

Time: 09:30 - 17:00

Website: www.guinness-storehouse.com

Content:

In the brewery museum of Guinness you can get yourself a wonderful introduction of the black gold of Ireland. You can use a (free) audio system to continue the seven floors of the entire process of hops, barley (grain), water and yeast until you can order a free glass of the "black stuff".

On the way, the marketing of the beverage with advertising and characteristics, the beer process and the creation will be explained to you in any form that is possible. Big tons of beer yeast, a tasting room where you can smell and taste and a beautiful old pub will be your part.

If you are in Dublin you can not leave without having seen a live Irish traditional performance in the Templebar district.

These are showed in numerous bars and pubs during the week, but at the weekend in the beautiful Oliver St. John Gogarty's is actually a must. There are a lot of tourists, but perhaps this performance is so special. If you want to sit quietly in a traditional pub, the atmospheric Wellington House in the Wellington street near the hostel (see below) is an option.

On Saturday there is also a live performance here - it can get busy with people from the neighborhood which makes it extra special. Also all football matches are broadcast. Good and cheap food can be bought at "kebabi" - a Turkish kebab shop with chips located in "Dorset" street. For 5 euros you have a whole tray full of good kebab and fries.

• Name: Dublin Int 'l youth hostel

Address: 61 Mountjoy street

Price: 18 euros (dormitory - 10 beds)

Content:

This

hostel is situated on the north side of the center, in a quiet street within walking distance of the hostel street Gardiner and the busy O'Connels. You can also easily walk to the large bus and train station from here. It is located in a church, 4 floors big and equipped with all comforts and facilities.

A large lobby, a 24 hour reception, tours, TV room, a big breakfast room (old church hall) - breakfast is included, a large kitchen and many different rooms. Numerous foreign students stay here (work and learn), so expect to see the same people over and over again because many work here too. Outside are some beer tables where you can sit comfortably. There is WIFI available.