Ireland's Eye, that tantalising jewel in Howth harbour, holds a captivating history ranging from a haven of faith to a scene of notorious crime. In pre-Christian times, the island was known as Eria's Island and Inis Faithlenn. Its history as a place of spirituality began in the 7th century when a monastery was founded there by three brothers, the sons of Nessan. The island’s Irish name, Inis Mac Nessan, "island of the sons of Nessan," honours them. It was here that these pious monks created the Garland of Howth, a priceless illuminated manuscript of the four gospels, now preserved at Trinity College Dublin.

The church on Ireland's Eye served as the parish church for Howth for centuries, despite the inconvenience of its isolated location. This isolation, however, also made it a prime target for Viking raids. The monastery was plundered in the 9th and 10th centuries, and a Viking force was even besieged and defeated on the island in 897. The church, having been rebuilt several times, eventually fell out of use in the 13th century, but its ruins, including a rare round tower or belfry, still stand today.

Beyond its religious history, the island was a strategic military outpost. In the early 19th century, in response to the threat of a French invasion by Napoleon, a Martello Tower was built on the island's northwest corner. This tower was one of several fortifications built along the Irish coast to defend against attack. The tower was permanently manned and armed, a silent sentry against a threat that never materialised.

Perhaps the most dramatic event in the island's history is the infamous Kirwan murder of 1852. The case involved artist William Burke Kirwan, whose wife, Sarah Maria Louisa, was found dead on the island after a day trip. Kirwan was convicted of her murder, but the verdict, based on circumstantial evidence, was controversial.

Many, including prominent figures like Isaac Butt, believed that Mrs. Kirwan had not been murdered but had drowned after having a fit while swimming. Kirwan's death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment, and he was eventually freed after serving 27 years, leaving a lingering mystery that continues to fascinate.

Today, Ireland's Eye is a protected nature reserve, a sanctuary for a large variety of seabirds, including guillemots, razorbills, fulmars, and even Ireland’s fifth gannet colony on the huge, freestanding rock formation known as "The Stack." I`ll never forget visiting it as a boy with me aulfella, and him nearly boxing the head off two sadistic Spanish students who were casually killing birds with a "black widow" slingshot.

Apart from the avian wildlife, gorgeous Grey seals are also abundant in the surrounding waters. While the island was once part of the Lord of Howth's estate until its sale in 2018, it has seldom been off-limits to the public. Two small boat companies offer trips from Howth harbour, allowing visitors to explore the island, witness its natural beauty, and ponder the many tales of its captivating past.

This site will write the emails for you, just enter your name, select all Irish representatives, and send it on.

Read up on chat control. We’re about 5 weeks away from 1984.

https://fightchatcontrol.eu

For context, I bought unknowingly an all cream/bavarois/whatever it is cake, see my previous post.

Still haven't a clue what it is and husband and I don't really want to eat it, but I feel bad for binning 4/5 of a €15 cake.

Some of you cream heathens enthusiasts have commented that you want it, so feel free to DM me if you want the rest of the monstrosity cake.

If you're able to collect today in D2 Grand Canal near the Fresh, all the better.

Will delete this post once someone takes it off my hands.

As most Dart users are aware of the complete shitshow that emerged from yesterday’s commute home - that yet again, a fallen overhead power line caused chaos for all southbound users. This issue crops up time and time and time again, usually in the same area between Sydney Parade and Blackrock, which is now becoming more than just a coincidence. The bus routes were rammed, the bus stops also rammed, you couldn’t get a taxi, people would’ve trampled over their own mother for a standing place on the bus and most people were left stranded with the usual “train fares will be honoured” by the bus. It took them 6 hours to fix the issue.

Lads this simply is not good enough. We are the one of the wealthiest countries in the EU and highest tax rates. Where is this money going? Clearly not on the 40 year old green scrap metal boxes they call transport. It’s actually embarrassing, and what’s worse there is ZERO accountability and what will also be worse it will 100% happen again in a few weeks!

Obviously Dublin needs both canal greenways to be completed so that the canal routes can be used for commuting.

Obviously we need the riverside greenways along all the city's rivers - for commuting and for beauty.

Obviously the route beside the railway across the bay - the 'Broadmeadow Way'.

Obviously we need properly separated cycle paths in the city - with steel and concrete bollards or zebra planters keeping the cars and trucks out.

But what specific routes do we need through Dublin and through the suburbs?

Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has ended his efforts to run in the presidential election, claiming his successor Micheál Martin is “anti” him.

Mr Ahern has told supporters he does not want to run as an Independent but he was very serious in his ambition to secure the Fianna Fáil nomination.

In a lengthy recorded message obtained by the Irish Independent, the Dubliner said the way Mr Martin approached the process means he can “do sweet nothing”.

He also defended his record on the economy and spoke at length about the Mahon Tribunal.

He said the tribunal’s finding that he had not given truthful evidence into his finances was “unfair” and “inaccurate”.

And the 73-year-old said it never found any evidence of corruption because the questions over money he received related to support from friends at a difficult time in life when he had no house and no money.

“Friends of mine gave money. Not any robbers or gangsters or crooks. Friends of mine all went to the tribunal and gave evidence that they did,” he said.

He said it concerns him that for the last two years his name has been mentioned as a possible presidential candidate and during that period there have been “untruths” spread about “my character and personal life”.

Mr Ahern, who resigned as Taoiseach in 2008 as result of the political storm surrounding his appearances at the tribunal, said he believes truth “would out and win over time” if he had contested the campaign.

“These falsehoods have not dissipated. In fact, intensified, pushed by a handful and reached a new generation. That’s not good.

“I feel it’s important to set some of these things right because if lies are repeated so many times unfortunately they become fact.”

Asked why the current party leader is supporting Jim Gavin without giving him a chance to make his case, Mr Ahern said he didn’t know.

“I suppose he saw in his view that there was a candidate 20 years younger and somebody from outside the party.”

However, he added: “I suppose the only area where he [Micheál Martin] has indicated in the past why he was anti-me was the Mahon Tribunal and the economy. I don’t think we can say too much about the economy because we were all in it together, trying to make sure the economy was the best we could.

“The reality is that the economy from ’97 to today has grown practically nearly every year bar the years of the international recession which was a worldwide recession.”

Last week Mr Ahern told media he was not ruling out continuing with his campaign to get a nomination despite the emergence of Mr Gavin as the leadership’s chosen candidate.

But he has now firmly closed the door on the idea.

“In truth it’s because I respect the Fianna Fáil party, its membership and its elected and unelected people that I feel I could have been a good president for the people,” he said.

Mr Ahern noted that without the backing of the leadership there was no point pushing the issue.

“I’ve never seen a period where the leadership lose out in these things,” he said.

“There are other avenues open to me but as a former leader of the party I respect Fianna Fáil and its legacy far too much to even consider that Independent idea.

“I’ve always been a Fianna Fáil person. I can’t turn around and say I’m not a Fianna Fáiler. That’s the position on that.”

Got a Kinder Bueno cake from the Fresh at Grand Canal for €15 and it’s all cream?? Not sure if I’m missing something here, but has anyone ever experienced this before?

Hi going to Vicar Street for a gig next month, any recommendations for food? Staying in The Liberties. Thanks!

my family have been collecting the return cans and bottles but they rarely return them and i’m sick of looking at them is there anywhere i can take them for others to return them for a few bob? i always see people rooting around in bins etc where i live for cans and i always wanna tell them to come around to mine and take mine off me but i’m a young woman so i don’t really want strangers following me home for cans hahahah. i want to leave them in a bag or something on the big green beside my house for people to take but i’m afraid the council will dump them. sorry if this sounds stupid i know i could just dump them myself but it feels like too much of a waste when i know there are people willing to recycle them

I’m 34(M) from India and living in Dublin from the last 5years. In my 5years, at first I lived in D18 and then moved to D15. People giving a smile to you, a general hi, how are you.. are usually less seen in D15 when compared to D18. But in recent days, after the hype of racism I see a lot of people in D15 area are giving generous smiles, head nods and greetings. I feel Irish people are making their word by doing such gestures that they’re warm, sweet and they also feel bad about the bad situation. Very thanks to everyone who is making efforts to make the community feel safe for people like me. Has anyone observed this difference or am thinking too much!!!

Some great events happening around the city this weekend

• National Services Day – Parade & displays at Dublin Castle (Sat 6th)
• Ailbhe Ní Bhriain at Hugh Lane – Surreal & brilliant art (Until Sept 28)
• Summer on Essex Street – Street fest in Temple Bar (Sat 6th)
• Sculpture in Context – 40th anniversary at the Botanic Gardens
• Howth Seafood Festival – Food, music, family vibes by the sea (Sept 6–7)

👉 Full event info head to The Dublin Buzz

Let me know if you’re heading to any of them!

Hi all, on two weeks I'll be moving to a studio in Node Living Dublin 7 and noticed that almost everything online is just promotional material from the company. I can’t find any reviews from actual tenants.

If anyone has lived there (or knows someone who has), I’d really appreciate hearing your thoughts!! :)

Anyone know what/who this could have been? Seemed completely overkill, about 6 bike gardai providing a blue light run for about 5 black cars/vans up through Santry including driving up the wrong side of the road through the lights at Northwood. Haven't seen that happen before and seemed kinda dangerous/unnecessary the way it was done.

Looking to book a night in Dublin after having such an amazing time last week. Looking to go the end of January but are the pubs still lively?

i am wanting to get acrylic nails but hopefully not break the bank. any recommendations?

Tesco really offering everything these days. Now they are giving people the option to click and collect their criminal friends or family members in association with an garda siocana 😅😂

Just Landed from Glasgow to Dublin, through Aer Lingus. My checked in luggage did not come through so I filled the delayed luggage form. I have been trying to contact the flight but to no avail. The customer care guy just keep saying to wait for the email. I don't even know if they have located the bag or not. Any guidance will be appreciated.

Me and my girlfriend were obsessed with the 3fe One Kinda Folk blend. Unfortunately they have discontinued it! Anyone out there have a similar alternative? I find that I dislike most beans I pick up in cafes these days.

We received a letter from our daughter's school saying she had scored exceptionally well in her standardised tests and with that in mind we might want to consider the centre for talented youth at DCU. Daughter (4th class) would definitely be interested in some of the courses but I'm not crazy about the idea of her having to do the tests to get in. Mainly because if she didn't meet the standard I would hate her for to feel like she failed something, when she is still so young and clearly very capable.

Is it worth the time/hassle/expense if you do get in? (we live a fair distance away)

She's otherwise pretty happy and well adjusted, does sports and cubs and stuff like that. A bit bored and frustrated at school but has some nice friends. I would have hoped the school could offer her some more stretching work but not sure that's an option (will ask).

For those who don't remember, Borderline was an independent music shop that used to be in Temple Bar, I think it's a sweet shop now.

I bought so many great records and CDs there, I discovered so many great bands ( including the unparalleled NOMEANSNO) there. I used to get the Slate there. The guy who ran it was sound, i think the rent just got too much. He had a stall for a while then.

Saw the sticker in a LP I haven't listened to for years and it brought me back. That shop was a piece of my youth, sad it's no longer there.

There was many record stores around that time but Borderline was by far my favourite, so just a shout out to it!

Hi everyone,

I need some advice. I want to sell a used laptop here in Ireland, but I’m not sure where the best place to do it is.

A bit of context: I bought a Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 2 in Portugal in January 2024. It’s barely used (mostly for browsing and YouTube) and still has 3 Years Premier Support.

Does anyone know the best platforms or places to sell laptops in Ireland? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Hey everyone, I’m in a bit of a difficult position posting this, but I wanted to reach out to the community. The job market here in Dublin hasn’t been what I expected, and I’ve been struggling to find the right opportunity. I’m a Project Manager and Operations Coordinator with a background in biotech and science, and I’m looking for a role that’s challenging, offers room to grow, and allows me to contribute meaningfully to a company’s development. I truly believe I’m a strong professional who just hasn’t had the chance to fully shine yet, and I’d love to connect with anyone who might know of opportunities, advice, or even just point me in the right direction. Any leads or recommendations would be hugely appreciated. Thanks in advance for taking the time to read this. (Happy to DM my CV if anyone’s open to sharing opportunities.)

I know it is back to school and the weather is mixed but the m50 seems much worse than ever. I have used it from M1 intersection to junction 7 N4 Galway road every morning this week and it is taking most of if not all of an hour just for that section of the journey. The colleges are not yet back and the winter weather has not set in. I’m not sure I can do this every morning.