Every year on June 16th, Dublin celebrates Bloomsday — the day James Joyce set his masterpiece Ulysses. The novel follows Leopold Bloom’s wanderings through the streets and shores of the city in 1904. On this day, people dress in Edwardian costume, read passages aloud in pubs, and eat Gorgonzola sandwiches. They raise a glass to one of the greatest novels ever written.

Yet most of the Bloomsday trail winds through the city centre. There’s a quieter, wilder, more romantic piece of the story waiting just 30 minutes away on the DART.

Howth Head is where Joyce’s greatest novel finds its heart.

The Rhododendrons on Howth Head

At the very close of Ulysses, in the famous final pages of Molly Bloom’s interior monologue, her thoughts drift back to a day on Howth Head — sixteen years before the events of the novel — when Leopold proposed to her among the rhododendrons on the hill.

She remembers lying in the flowers, the warmth of the day, the long kiss, and Leopold telling her the sun shone for her. Finally, in the closing lines of one of the most celebrated novels in the English language, she answers him:

“…yes I said yes I will Yes.”

Indeed, it is one of the most famous sentences in all of literature — and it was written about this peninsula, these hills, and this view over Dublin Bay.

So when you walk the woodland paths of Howth in June, with the rhododendrons in full bloom and Dublin Bay spread out below you, it doesn’t take much imagination to feel the weight of that scene.

Walking in Molly’s Landscape

With Howth Adventures

There’s no better way to experience the Howth that Joyce wrote about than out on the trails with Howth Adventures, Howth’s award-winning regenerative tourism company.

The guided hikes move through the same heathland, clifftops, and wild coastal paths that form the landscape of Molly’s memory. In June, the peninsula is at its most beautiful — rhododendrons flowering across the hillside, the light long and golden, Dublin Bay glittering below.

Howth Coastal Hike (3 hrs | from €39) Follow clifftop paths with sweeping views

 

Out on the Water

Ireland’s Eye Ferries

After the hike, take to the water with Ireland’s Eye Ferries and sail around Ireland’s Eye — the small uninhabited island that sits just off Howth Harbour and appears in Joyce’s own imagination of Dublin Bay.

Joyce knew this coastline well. The waters around Howth, the bay, the island — all of it fed into his vision of Dublin as a city shaped by the sea. Seen from the water on a June afternoon, with the peninsula rising behind you and the city in the distance, it’s a view that feels genuinely timeless

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Getting There

Jump on the Howth-bound DART from Connolly, Tara Street, or Pearse Station. About 30 minutes, no changes. Pick up a Leap Card for the best value on the day. Bloomsday falls on Tuesday 16th June 2026. The rhododendrons are at their peak in June — if there’s one day of the year to be on Howth Head, this is it.

A Bloomsday Worth Remembering

Dublin’s Bloomsday celebrations are full of joy, costume, and literary colour — and they absolutely belong in the city. But if you want to find the quiet, human heart of Ulysses, the moment the whole novel builds towards, you have to come to Howth. Stand on the hill among the rhododendrons, look out over Dublin Bay, and say yes.

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The North Carolina Tar Heels are heading to the Aviva Stadium. There, they’ll face TCU in the 2026 Aer Lingus College Football Classic.

But first, some of the squad traded their helmets for hiking boots. They took on something just as wild: the ultimate Howth Adventure, led by local guides.

First Stop: Howth Coastal Hike

The Howth Coastal Hike with Howth Adventures, a local award winning sustainable tour company.

The players kicked off their Irish adventure with a Coastal Hike along the Howth Cliff Walk — one of Ireland’s most dramatic and rewarding walking trails, guided by the team at Howth Adventures.

With sweeping views across Dublin Bay, the Irish Sea, and out to Ireland’s Eye island, it was unlike anything the squad had seen before. Narrow cliff paths, ancient heather, and the kind of fresh sea breeze that makes you feel completely alive — no stadium required.

Shane’s guides brought the landscape to life, pointing out hidden viewpoints, local wildlife, and the centuries of history baked into every rocky outcrop. For players used to training on manicured fields, the wild Irish coastline hit different.

Here’s what went down when the Tar Heels came to town.

Next Up: Howth Coastal Boat Tour

After the hike, the players weren’t done with the great outdoors. Next stop: a boat trip around Ireland’s Eye — an uninhabited island just off the coast of Howth Harbour — with Ireland’s Eye Ferries.

The trip across the bay opened up spectacular views back towards Howth village, the peninsula, and the surrounding UNESCO Biosphere waters. The team watched as 550 million year old rock formed cliffs unfolded, with nesting sea birds and common seals residing upon the island.

Fuelled Up: Beshoff’s Sea Grill

Fresh Seafood at Beshoff’s Sea Grill, Howth

No visit to Howth is complete without eating at the harbour — and the Tar Heels found out why. After the hike and the boat trip, the group settled in at the iconic Beshoff’s Sea Grill for a legendary feed of fresh seafood.

Think battered cod and haddock straight off the boats, thick-cut chips, and Dublin Bay prawns that taste like the sea itself. Howth has been one of Ireland’s premier fishing harbours for centuries — and there’s nowhere better to experience that than at Beshoff’s Sea Grill, right on the waterfront.

For players fuelling up before one of the biggest games of their careers, there are worse options than a seafood feast with an Irish harbour view.

Plan Your Own Howth Day Trip: The Full UNC Experience

Heading to Dublin for the UNC vs TCU Aer Lingus College Football Classic on August 29th? Build a coastal adventure day around Howth. Just 30 minutes from Dublin city centre by DART train and makes for the perfect pre-game or post-game adventure.

Here’s your Howth game plan:

• Morning — Coastal Hike with Shane’s Howth Adventures (3 hrs)
• Midday — Boat trip around Ireland’s Eye with Ireland’s Eye Ferries (50 minutes)
• Afternoon — Fresh seafood lunch at Beshoff’s Sea Grill, Howth
• Evening — DART back into Dublin city for pre-match buzz

It’s a full day that combines Ireland’s best: wild nature, maritime heritage, and world-class food.

Book Ahead — August Fills Fast

Thousands of UNC and TCU fans are descending on Dublin for Week Zero on August 29th. Howth is going to be one of the most popular day trips of the summer. Tours and ferry spots fill quickly in peak season.

Start Planning Your Event

Our dedicated guides are ready to help you tailor an itinerary that fits your schedule and budget. Ready to take your event to the water?

The post UNC vs TCU: Tar Heels in Howth appeared first on Ireland’s Eye Ferries.

Looking for a venue that breaks the mould? Escape the boardroom and the standard function room for something truly memorable. With private boat hire in Howth, Ireland’s Eye Ferries offers a bespoke way to experience the Dublin coastline. From high-stakes corporate networking to intimate family milestones, our fleet provides the perfect floating venue against the backdrop of the UNESCO Biosphere.

Team Building

With a Coastal Twist

Boost morale and spark creativity with a corporate boat trip in Dublin. We move beyond the typical team-building exercises, offering your group a chance to reconnect with nature.

• Networking with a View: Host clients on a sunset cruise around the Howth Cliffs.
• Team Escapes: Land on Ireland’s Eye for a private island picnic and exploration.
• Branding Opportunities: We offer flexible options for branding the vessel for product launches or media events.

Our vessels are steady, safe and offer a conversational environment, making it the highest-rated choice for group bookings in Dublin.

Intimate Celebrations

Birthdays & Anniversaries

Make your next milestone legendary. Whether it’s a 40th birthday, a silver anniversary, or a unique stag party or hen party celebration, a private ferry hire ensures your guests have an exclusive experience away from the crowds.

• Exclusivity: The boat is yours. Customise your music, bring your own catering (by arrangement), and set your own pace.
• Photo Opportunities: Capture family photos with the Baily Lighthouse or the sea caves as your backdrop—memories that a standard restaurant simply can’t match.

Custom Itineraries

Clubs and School Tours

Every group has different needs, and we take pride in our flexibility. We specialise in custom boat itineraries for niche interests:

• Photography & Arts Clubs: We can hold steady at specific angles to capture the perfect light on the Martello Tower or the puffin stacks.
• Educational & School Tours: A lesson in marine biology and Irish history. Our tour guides provide expert commentary on the local eco-system and Viking history of Howth.
• Community Groups: Ideal for active retirement associations or local clubs looking for a fresh perspective on Dublin.

Start Planning Your Event

Our dedicated guides are ready to help you tailor an itinerary that fits your schedule and budget. Ready to take your event to the water?

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There’s a magic to Howth that goes beyond its rugged coastline, fresh sea breeze and scenic harbour — it’s the deep connection between the village, the sea and the people who live here.

One of the best expressions of that spirit is the annual Howth Maritime & Seafood Festival, a lively weekend where locals and visitors come together to celebrate seafood, music, family fun and maritime culture on Dublin’s beautiful east coast.

Whether you’re a seafood lover or simply looking for a memorable day by the sea, the festival offers something for everyone. Expect delicious seafood, live music, local crafts, children’s activities and a vibrant atmosphere along the harbour promenade.

You’ll also find stalls and pop-up shops showcasing the best of Howth’s local producers and artisans — a chance to support small businesses while soaking up the seaside atmosphere.

When and Where?

Dates: 22nd – 24th May 2026.
Times: 12:00 – 18:00 daily.
Location: Howth Harbour & Promenade, Co. Dublin — in the heart of the village, with the sea as your backdrop.

PLAN YOUR VISIT

The festival is free to attend and makes a perfect addition to a day trip or coastal escape. What makes this festival special is how authentically it reflects Howth’s identity — a working fishing village where the sea, food, music and community are part of everyday life.

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