While studying abroad through direct enrollment at University College Dublin (UCD), the school provides many trips throughout the semester to educate us students on what Ireland has to offer. One of these trips included a hike through the Howth Cliffs with a tour guide who provided numerous facts about the history of the area.  

The radiant blue sky offered a beautiful view as we hiked to the top of the Howth Cliffs. 

The UCD Study Abroad office sent us an email about an upcoming trip they had planned for study abroad students to learn more about Irish history, including a hike and a free meal of Ireland’s famous dish: fish and chips. We RSVP’d through an application called Eventbrite, where we registered, and we paid a small fee of €20 to reserve our spot. Upon the end of the trip, we would get refunded for attending.  

Howth offers a blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage. We started the hike through narrow streets and encountered shops, seafood restaurants, and markets. 

The Howth Cliffs stand along the Irish coastline; their limestone faces rise dramatically from the waters below. 

The sun rays hitting the ocean wavetops looked angelic from the high points of the hike. 

I found one of Howth's most captivating features to be its cliffs, which offer breathtaking views of the Irish Sea and beyond. Standing on the limestone cliffs, an eye-catching view stunned me.  

The blue skies made the green land brighter while standing atop the cliffs. 

Our first fun fact that we learned from the tour guide was that Howth Head, the peninsula on which the cliffs are situated, is believed to have been formed over 350 million years ago during the Carboniferous period.  

Our tour guide stopped at the top of the cliffs for a brief history lesson about Howth and how the Vikings landed there. 

While exploring the cliffs, our tour guide had an incredibly loyal and brave dog. The courageous canine accompanied us along the trails. We learned from our guide that dogs have been companions in Howth for centuries, often accompanying fishermen on their daily expeditions.  

The tour guide’s brave dog hiked for over two hours with our group. She was joyful and energetic, motivating us throughout the hike. 

Nestled away like a secret gem within Howth lies the Tiny Hidden Beach. Though it is accessible only to those willing to venture off the beaten path, we admired the view above the cliffs. 

The Tiny Hidden Beach requires a small hike on a beaten path. While we were not brave enough to venture down, the sight was breathtaking. 

The clear blue waters glistened as we walked down the cliffs of Howth to the Tiny Hidden Beach. 

After a day of adventure and exploration, UCD provided us with a meal at the Summit Inn. The historic pub offers a cozy atmosphere and stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The long hike had made us hungry, and we devoured one of the crunchiest fish and chips meals I’ve ever encountered. The meal was perfectly paired with a pint of Guinness or a crisp Irish cider, depending on each students’ choice. The last fun fact of the day I learned is that the Summit Inn has been a beloved gathering place for locals and visitors since opening its doors in the 19th century.  

One of the crispiest fish and chips meals I had tasted while in Ireland at the historic Summit Inn. 

Howth offered us beautiful cliffs and an enchanting coastal paradise, and I am grateful I had this opportunity to visit.