Dublin trip - Howth

The word "Howth" originates from the old Norse word "Hǫfuð", which translates to ____ in English.

Answer explanation

Coincidentally, the name of the Norse God Heimdallr's sword is also "Hǫfuð".

Which of the following locations did we NOT see during the tour?

• Dolmen

• Balscadden House

• Baily Lighthouse

• Ben of Howth

• Ye Olde Hurdy Gurdy Vintage Radio Museum

Answer explanation

The tour included tranquil beaches, majestic cliffs, gorgeous vistas, and luscious Rhododendron gardens, but no musea whatsoever.

Who built St. Mary's Abbey in 1042 A.D.?

• St. Mary

• Brian Ború, king of Ireland

• Sitric, king of the Vikings

• Cristopher St. Lawrence, 2nd Baron of Howth

Answer explanation

Although he didn't build it, Christopher St. Lawrence and his wife Anna Plunkett are still buried here.

Which famous writer lived in Balscadden House between 1880-1883?

• William Butler Yeats

• William Shakespeare

• Herbert George Wells

• Joanne Kathleen Rowling

Answer explanation

Yeats, a proponent of myths and folklore, has said:

"The ghosts and goblins do still live and rule in the imaginations of the innumerable Irish men and women [...]. At Howth, [...] there is a ‘fairies path’, whereon a great colony of otherworld creatures travel nightly from the hill to the sea and home again.

According to legend, why were the Dolmen of Howth created?

• The druid Getafix created a potion that could increase a warrior's strength tenfold at this ancient site

• Aideen, daughter of Aenghus, died of grief when her husband died in battle and was buried there

• The legendary warrior Fionn McCumhaill threw the stones there during a game of pitch and toss

• King Aureolis Ambrosias ordered Merlin the wizard to bring him some of the stones from Stonehenge

Answer explanation

Here, far from camp and chase removed, Apart in Nature’s quiet room, The music that alive she loved Shall cheer her in the tomb

Did you know? The story about Fionn McCumhaill throwing the stones there is also true, according to legend.

Why is there always an extra plate set at the table of Howth Castle?

• To remember Henry the 4th Lord of Howth, who was renowned for his voracious appetite.

• Thomas St. Lawrence, the first Earl of Howth was Jewish, so he always set a plate for Elijah the prophet

• When the villagers of Howth helped build the castle, the first Baron of Howth promised to always save a place for the poor

• Otherwise the pirate queen Grace O'Malley wouldn't return the Earl's grandson

Answer explanation

Unhappy with being turned down for dinner, the fierce pirate resorted to the only thing any rational human being would do: kidnap the Earl's grandson.

Which of the following things would you NOT find at Howth harbour?

• A seafarers memorial

• A Ferris wheel

• Howth Lighthouse

• The footsteps of King George IV

• A ferry to Ireland's Eye

Answer explanation

As the first British monarch to arrive in Ireland peacefully, King George IV's footprints can still be found on the west pier.

The Norse God Odin had to cut out his ___, in exchange for a drink from Mimir's well of infinite wisdom.

Answer explanation

With only one eye, Odin could now see farther and more clearly than he ever did with two eyes. Odin’s eye still remains in Mimir’s well, seeing nothing and everything at once.

To get his hammer Mjollnir back from the giant Thrym, Thor had to pretend to be Thrym's _____.

Answer explanation

"Never have I seen a woman with such appetite!" Thyrm declared.

"She's so lovesick, she couldn't eat for a week."

"Never have I seen a maiden with such frightfully piercing eyes!" said Thyrm.

"She was unable to sleep, so fierce is her longing for you."

The beloved God Baldur was killed by a spear Loki had made of _________.

Answer explanation

Baldur could be rescued from Hel if everyone and everything in the cosmos wept for Baldur at his funeral. So everyone in the cosmos did. Everyone except for one giantess, Tokk.

"Let Hel keep what's hers!" she said.

No one knew Tokk was secretly Loki in disguise.