Landscape on the way to Howth
Plenty of clouds, but no rain
This is the second page covering our 2025 trip to Dublin. Click here for page 1.
On August 1, we took a Big Bus tour to Howth on the coast. We rode on the open upper deck of the bus, which allowed me to take some photos on the way to the peninsula. We then walked the last stretch to the top, where there are sea views on both sides. The bus then took us to the village itself where we had plenty of time to savor the best seafood we had on this trip and to wander around. We walked down the west pier to its end and enjoyed the harbour views; we even saw (but did not photograph) a couple of the seals that have taken up residence in the harbour. When you see 'WD' followed by a number (for example, WD17) on a ship in Howth harbour, it's actually part of a fishing vessel registration code, specifically indicating the vessel's home port or district. 'WD' stands for Wexford, which is the port or registration district. The number that follows is the specific vessel's registration number within that district.
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Landscape on the way to Howth |
Plenty of clouds, but no rain |
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Tree of Life chainsaw sculpture by Tommy Craggs |
Approaching Howth Head |
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Looking from the south of the peninsula across Dublin Bay |
Looking north from the top of the peninsula along the Howth cliff path |
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The view from the other side across the fireweeds and the water |
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Along Howth's West Pier with its great seafood restaurants |
A look into the harbour: The Mary J WD 17 fishing vessel |
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Colorful fishing nets |
The St Jean Baptiste WD 25, another fishing vessel |
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This fishmonger's name caught our attention! |
The Braylan is a cargo ship |
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A boat is leaving the harbour and sailing past the lighthouse |
Another vessel with a different purpose |
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Looking toward the Howth Yacht Club from the end of the West Pier |
The main part of the harbour (note the Star of the Sea on the right) |
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View from the end of the West Pier onto Ireland's Eye and the lighthouse at the end of the East Pier |
On the following day, we took the hop-on, hop-off bus to explore various parts of Dublin on our way to Phoenix Park and Dublin Zoo. We saw a plaque at 21 Westland Row where poet and playwright Oscar Wilde was born; the Irish inscription reads, "Born in this house." We also spotted a sign for bizarre attractions (which we skipped). We got off the bus at Phoenix Park and went to the zoo.
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On the south side of the O'Connell Bridge |
The Teeling Whiskey Distillery |
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Architectural variety on The Coombe |
The Guinness Storehouse on Market Street |
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Signs like this are attached to most zoo fences: you have to love Irish humor! |
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A Siberian tiger—the largest cat in the world |
Trying to get a glimpse of the Asian elephants |
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Scimitar oryx, Grant's zebras, and Rothschild's giraffes in the African Savanna part of Dublin Zoo |
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Zebras and giraffes |
Also found on the African Savanna: the Southern White Rhinoceros |
On August 3, 2025, we visited Christ Church Cathedral. This was the last day we had a bus pass for, so we used it to get to the cathedral. The interior is beautiful; in particular, some of the stained glass windows were absolutely gorgeous. After the visit, we walked across the Grattan Bridge, down Capel Street to Mary Street. We had a light, mid-afternoon lunch at the Dunnes cafeteria. That evening, we enjoyed a superb Eton Mess in our hotel room, a takeout from Lotts Café Bar. We had enjoyed one on the premises the night before, and since we were leaving Dublin the next day, we had only one chance for an encore. Naturally, we seized it.
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By Christ Church Cathedral |
Taking a closer look from the cathedral garden |
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Looking up at the tower |
Millennium Child and Peace Park across the street |
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The altar of the cathedral |
The main nave |
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Looking toward the front |
Stained glass window in the south aisle |
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Detail of another stained glass window in the south aisle |
In the main nave looking toward the front |
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Brass lectern and pulpit |
On the square outside the cathedral |
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The Harding Hotel at Lord Edward and Fishamble Street |
Walking down Fishamble Street on our way back to the Liffey |
The photos on this page were taken from August 1 to 3, 2025.
This is the second page covering our 2025 trip to Dublin. Click here for page 1.
Photos from both pages are also available in a Gallery
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