Howth Cliff Walk and Shielmartin Hill

On Saturday we did the Howth Cliff walk.  We had done the walk before, but this time we did an extended version and it was worth the extra walking.  We took the DART north for 25 minutes and got off at the Sutton stop.  From there we walked along Station Road on to Strand Road and towards the start of the cliff path.  Instead of continuing straight on the cliff path we took the path up to the summit of Shielmartin Hill, back down through the golf course, then continued on the cliff walk path to Howth.  This version of the walk is about 9 or 10 miles.

We ate a lot of blackberries along the way.  Lindsay and I are fast walkers and often were ahead of the guys who were enjoying the berries.  At the top of Shielmartin Hill the views were especially pretty because of the purple heather, yellow gorse, and the greens that were so vivid against the blue of the ocean and sky.

Once we reached the town of Howth we went to the Abbey Tavern, one of the oldest pubs in Ireland, then walked around the harbour.  Howth is a fishing village, and as you walk around the harbour you see several fresh fish markets, a lot of seafood restaurants, and of course many fishing boats.  We were there in the evening so there wasn't much action with the boats, but we did see some filling up with ice probably to get ready to head out for an evening catch?  It would be fun to go early in the morning to see the wholesale fish markets in action.