So having been to Howth Head and passed the Summit Snooker Club, we headed on down to the harbour at Howth.

Here yachts sheltered behind the sea wall while walkers took a stroll by the water or braved the elements by walking on the upper part of the wall.  All are welcomed by a saxophonist busking at the entrance to the harbour , notes floating on the wind.

Beyond the harbour lies Ireland’s Eye, a small island just off Howth Head. While uninhabited by humans it provides sanctuary  to a number of seabird colonies and boats enable day trippers to land and circle the island.

So after a refreshing buffeting by the wind it was back to the harbourside inns and a spot of coffee before moving on, warm inside again. Nothing quite like an old fashioned walk by the sea on a blustery January morning.