Page 155 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Ireland

DRIVE 14: Dublin’s North Coast 153

6 Skerries
Co Dublin EAT AND DRINK
The fishing town of Skerries, with its
long golden beach on one side and HOWTH
harbour dotted with yachts on the Aqua moderate– expensive
A magnificent waterside location on
other, culminates in the peninsula of Howth’s Old Pier for fresh seafood.
Red Island. Walk up past the Martello 1 West Pier; 01 832 0690; www.aqua.ie
Tower for panoramic views as far as Beshoff’s moderate–expensive
Northern Ireland’s Mountains of Oyster bar, café and market from the
Mourne. A colony of seals resides traditional fishmonger family, the
nearby, and they can often be seen Beshoffs. Buzzing atmosphere.
accompanying fishing boats back to West Pier; 01 839 7555; www.beshoffs.ie
the harbour. King Sitric expensive
Skerries Mills (open daily) comprises The best Howth Harbour’s catch, and
a watermill, a five-sail Great Windmill game dishes with a creative twist.
East Pier; 01 832 5235; www.kingsitric.ie;
Above Thatched and whitewashed cottage in the and a thatched four-sail windmill. All closed Mon & Tue
fishing town of Skerries date from the 16th century and have
been restored to working order. MALAHIDE
5 Newbridge Demesne There is also a millpond, cornfield Fowler’s inexpensive
Donabate, Co Dublin and a museum of industrial heritage. A lively, traditional Irish pub with
The elegant Georgian Newbridge As part of the tour, visitors can try regular music sessions and pub grub.
New Street; 01 845 0960; www.fowlers.ie
House (open Apr–Sep: daily; Oct–Mar: their hands at milling and climb to
Tue–Sun) is set within the 145 ha the top of a mill for spectacular views. Hush Brasserie moderate
(360 acres) of Newbridge Demesne. ª From Skerries Mills, turn right out The place to visit for a range of quality
seafood, meat and pasta dishes.
The tour includes the striking Red of the car park and take second right New Street; 01 806 1928;
Drawing Room, one of the best- onto Sherlock Terrace. Take the first www.hushbrasserie.ie
preserved Georgian rooms in the right and right again, signed for
country; the huge kitchen, full of Ardgillan Castle Demesne.
antique utensils; and a quaint
Museum of Curiosities. 7 Ardgillan Demesne
Outside the house, the cobbled Balbriggan, Co Dublin
courtyard features a museum of The name Ardgillan means “high
country life including an 18th-century wooded area”, and the Demesne
blacksmith’s forge and carpenter’s (open daily) enjoys magnificent views
workshop. Within the Demesne is of Drogheda Bay and the north
a traditional farm with vintage Dublin coastline. Its 78 ha (195 acres)
machinery and rare-breed animals, of parklands, woods and formal
as well as a walled garden sheltering gardens include a rose garden,
traditional Irish apple varieties and walled kitchen garden, haunted yew
two 19th-century glasshouses. walk and Ice House. In the grounds
ª Turn right onto Hearse Road, at the stands Ardgillan Castle (open Jul–Aug:
roundabout take the third exit onto daily; Sep–Jun: Tue–Sun), a large,
R132. Cross the next roundabout. Turn castellated house built in 1738 and
right onto R127. At the next roundabout lovingly restored. The guided tour
take the first exit, drive through Lusk takes visitors through Georgian and
village. At the Skerries Road roundabout Victorian styled rooms. Upstairs is a
take the first exit onto R127. At the next unique collection of maps from the Above Crenellated Ardgillan Castle, set in the
roundabout take the first exit to Skerries. 17th-century Down Survey of Ireland. lovely grounds of its Demesne

DAY TRIP OPTIONS elegant Georgian house. Continue Beside the sea
Dublin is the perfect base to visit the to Ardgillan Demesne 7 for more Start at Howth 2 and walk around
magnificent Demesnes or spend Georgian-styled rooms in the castle. Howth Head to the Baily Lighthouse
the day exploring the coast, perhaps or pretty Howth village. Follow the
ending with a boat trip. From Dublin take the M1 (toll road). Take coast to the beach at Portmarnock
Donabate exit for Newbridge Demesne. 3 and pretty Malahide 4 for a boat
Historic houses
Start with a walk around Georgian Follow R126 back towards motorway trip around the bay.
Dublin 1 before heading out to and turn right on R127 to Balbriggan for Follow driving tour instructions from
Newbridge Demesne 5 with its Ardgillan Demesne. the car park at Howth Head.

Eat and Drink: inexpensive, under €25; moderate, €25–€50; expensive, over €50

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