Howth has long been a popular gathering port for the fishing fleet from near and far as they berth their craft securely for the Christmas-New Year break, as it has all facilities ashore, and full protection in the fish dock from storms from any direction writes W M Nixon.
With 2017 drawing to a close, the fleet was expanded by an incursion of boats which had intended to berth at Rosslare, but the ten day forecast was so bad that Howth was the only option.
New Year’s Eve is traditionally the day when Howth’s locals and visitors alike take a look at what’s in port. And the last day of 2017 was vintage, with many fine boats looking better than yachts, a bigger and more handsome fleet in port than anyone can remember, and unusually strong sunshine to give every promise of a good year to come.
Alas, since then Storm Eleanor has decided otherwise for many parts of the country, though the craft remaining in Howth continued in security. But fishing time lost is money lost. As winds ease today, getting to sea becomes a priority.