Howth, village and lodging.

wojazz3 · Guru

Howth, village and lodging.

almoon · Member

Hi Bill,

When will you be there? We are staying in Glenn na Smol for 3 nights the first week in April. We chose Howth as a Dublin base for this trip because it looks like a beautiful little fishing village with easy access to Dublin. We stayed in Portmarnock one year, but I wanted to be a little closer in to the city this time. This trip starts with a couple of nights in Belfast, ends in Howth, and right now we have 3 nights in the middle that we will fill on our whims.

In all my research, I never came across Inisradharc until your post. Looks interesting. I don't know why I didn't choose Ann's, gets good reviews. I hate to second guess my choices, so will be happy with my arrangements. I look forward to hearing of your experience!

Allison

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bill,

I don't have a personal recommendation in Howth. Ann's looks very cute on the website and Inisradharc evidently has 4 diamonds from AA. I know you like being near the sea so the fishing village of Howth may be a good option for your Dublin suburban experience. There are not a whole lot of lodgings in Howth. King Sitric always gets good press but is pricey.

I do have an excellent recommendation in Malahide, which is not too far from Howth and is also a nice seaside village. Beechwood: www.beechwood.ie It does not overlook the water but is really first-class.

I must admit that I haven't been to The Abbey Tavern. Would you like to be the forum guinea pig? I do know that they cater to tour groups as does Bunratty, etc. I have heard good things about The Bloody Stream.

Things to do and see in the area:

Howth Cliff Walk

Howth Castle Gardens

National Transport Museum (Howth)

Malahide Castle

Skerries Windmill

Lusk Round Tower & Heritage Center

Ardgillan Castle

Newbridge House

Baldongan Castle (Skerries)

Dunsoghly Castle

Swords Castle

As you can see there is lots to keep you busy in the area. How many days will you be in Howth?

Michele

wojazz3 · Guru

I, of course, am losing my mind. I thought I had responded to all of your help here. Anyway Allison, we will be there in early June. Both places I contacted siad they had rooms, so I'll be booking in the next couple of days. I also saw Glenn na Smol when I was looking and it looks quite nice too.

I'll only be in Howth for two days and may not ever venture into Dublin. I read a website that has advertising from the Abbey Tavern and they were careful to point out that they are NOT and Irish cabaret which encourages me. I'll probably check it out. I must have a pint or two at the Bloody Stream if for nothing other than the name. Apparently the name grows from a story about a fierce battle that was waged on a bridge crossing the stream in question. Much blood was spilled in the stream, hence the name. Apparently, the stream runs under the pub. We can always hope they sell Tshirts

I know there is a lot to do in the area. I understand there is a model railroad museum next to Malahide Castle. My Dad was a huge model railroad buff and I thought it would be nice to see that if I make it to Malahide.

Bill

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bill,

We will be interested to hear if you like your B&B in Howth when you return. Take notes! The Fry Model Railway at Malahide Castle is very interesting. You can get a dual ticket for both the castle and railway. I am not particularly keen on model railways but found this one to be well done. Howth is so close to Malahide you probably will end up there. It has a few good restaurants and pubs. I like Sale e Pepe and Smyth's.

Michele

wojazz3 · Guru

Michele:

I just stumbled across some info on the Cobblestone Pub in the Smithfield area in Dublin. It looks to be quite an Irish trad pub. I may have to make a trip into the city for that. They are apparently near the Dublin Brewing Co and that always has an interest for me.

Bill

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bill,

I saw your posting on another forum about Credo House in Killybegs. It is closed since Anne died of cancer. Frankie could not bear to run it without her. It was quite a blow to their family and a loss for the B&B world.

Michele

LifetimeNewYorker · Newbie

Hi Bill,

I was in Dublin last week in search of the perfect trad music pub. Heard some typical touristy stuff in Temple Bar ("Molly Malone..."), tried Brazen Head (too crowded), but found music heaven in Cobblestone Pub. There were five musicians playing, with another two waiting to play. I was there on a Sunday night and stayed until closing. There's a Smithfield stop on LUAS, just walk across the plaza.

Cheers.

Al

wojazz3 · Guru

Michele:

That is such sad news. I was only a one time visitor and I didn't get to meet Anne because she was away in London. One of the mornings there was windy and rainy and we chatted with Frankie for a number of hours. I understood about 70% of what he said, Felicity picked up about 50% but smiled charmingly throughout. That is truly a loss.

Al:

Thanks so much for confirming what I had heard. I have missed opportunities to try the Dublin Brewing Co. beers in the past, but that's how I stumbled on the Cobblestone. I better go there. I'll be coming in from Howth on the Dart, so I'll figure out how to get there.

I was at the Brazen Head on a MOnday night last May and it was a bit crowded, but I found may way to a seat at the bar after standing for about 10-15 minutes. The session was pretty good. I'm looking forward to the Cobblestone.

Bill

almoon · Member

We will be in Howth on Thurs, Fri and Sat nights, so I imagine Dublin will be pretty busy. I know we will be there during the day, but since I am not big on crowded places, I imagine we will will stay close to "home" at night.

A friend/coworker who hails from Dublin has pointed us to a pub that her mom likes, I think it is in Sutton, but I will have to double check on that and get back with the correct information. They apparently do a nice carvery lunch!

Bill, is the Bloody Stream in Howth? Haven't heard that name before.

Michele, is Sale e Pepe an Italian restaurant, and has it been there long? We were in Malahide for the first time in 95 and it was pouring. We wandered around for a bit, looking for a place to eat. We poked our heads into small but very busy Italian place, and although we didn't have reservations, they took pity on the poor dripping wet American family with two starving teens and found a table for us. New trip coming, new memories to make!

My husband and I were very sad to learn of Anne's death. She was a lovely, friendly person, and unlike Frankie, who was oh-so-entertaining, we could actually understand everything Anne said.

Allison

Michele Erdvig · Host

Allison,

I too was quite shocked and sadened by Anne's death. She was such a lovely host and really went out of her way to make visitors comfortable.

The Bloody Stream is a pub in Howth.

Sale e Pepe does have Italian entrees but is not strictly an Italian restaurant. The one you ate at may have been Giovanni's. It is a genuine Italian restaurant run by Italians and a very small place.

Where are you staying in Howth?

Michele

almoon · Member

Hi Michele,

Giovanni's sounds like it could be the place. We will have to stop in and check it out. It will be an entirely different experience without two picky-eating sons.

In Howth we have reservations at Gleann na Smol, Kitty Rickard. They have been very prompt in returning my emails, which is a plus. They don't have much in the way of a website, so I am hoping for the best. All we ask for is a clean room and no mildew in the shower! I'll give you our impressions when we get back. (Websites can be so deceptive; we have stayed in places with nice webpages that don't live up to them, and others with minimal or no websites that have been very nice.) The trip is the first week of April.

We will be in Belfast for two nights to start. We are booked at Allseasons, which had good reviews on Tripadvisor. That leaves us three unplanned nights mid-week. My husband makes fun of me for planning everything out in advance, so I am leaving ALL the plans for those days and nights up to him. Let's see how he does! (Wish me luck!)

Allison

Michele Erdvig · Host

Allison,

I agree totally that B&B websites do not tell the whole story. I wish you success with the ones you have chosen. Since you are traveling in April you will be able to wing it on your husband's free days. Have you seen the Antrim coast, Downpatrick or Mount Stewart? The only downside to April travel in Northern Ireland is that many things like gardens and castles are only open on weekends. I suppose there is little demand then. Good luck with your plans. We will look forward to hearing about your trip!

Michele