On to Dublin

Low tide at Milford

After spending our first full day in Dale diving to untangle the propeller and our second walking and pubbing, I was not ready to leave on the evening of the 27th without another full night of sleep.

The pub at Dale

In retrospect, an evening departure would have provided fairer winds and immeasurably more pleasant weather.

In any event, we departed Dale anchorage at Milford the morning of the 28th and sailed due west close to the wind to try to make the Irish coast and then alter course toward the north before the predicted strengthening and shift of the wind. This wind shift was (of course) early and the winds stronger and gustier than expected.  The forecast was altered after the fact to reflect this - a forecasting technique vastly improving statistical accuracy.

Lighthouse from Howth Cliffwalk

Larry on edge

While the variability of the wind provided lots of work during the night adding and removing sail, we were able to maintain a course toward Dublin without tacking and the relative closeness of the Irish coast to windward lessened the effect of the waves in the 25 to 30 knot winds.

On arrival, the helpful staff at the Howth Yacht Club provided us with an easily accessible berth which vastly lessened the trauma of maneuvering our difficult-to-control boat in the strong winds.

In the Library

Howth is a northern suburb of Dublin with beautiful cliff walks nearby and a 20 minute commuter train trip into the city.  After a day of rest from our overnight passage, we spent our second day wearing ourselves out walking the vertiginous cliffs of the Howth peninsula.  By evening, we had recovered enough strength for the short walk from the marina to the Abbey Tavern for an infusion of Irish singing and dancing. Oh Danny Boy, Black Velvet Band, Finnigans Wake and a multitude of other favorite songs immensely pleased us and the rest of the large crowd.

Not Brian Boru's Harp

Today  the train delivered us to the center of Dublin for lessons in Irish History at the National Museum and during a tour of Trinity, the world-class Irish University.  The University Library's Long Room and the display of The Book of Kells and other 9th century books are not to be forgotten.

Mary Anne on the grounds of Trinity