Howth
Howth also known as Howth Head is a headland north-east of Dublin. Forms the northern bound of the great crescent of Dublin Bay, corresponding to Killiney Head in the south. Connected to the mainland by the low narrow isthmus of Sutton.
In FW it is the head of the sleeping giant Finn MacCool, whose body stretches across the landscape of Dublin north of the Liffey to his toes beyond Phoenix Park.
- Names. Hofda, Houete, Howeth, Hoath. Ancient names: Vulg. Latin? Edri Deserta, Greek Edrou Heremos (Desert of Edar); Irish Ben Edar, Ben Eadir, Binn Éadair, ?Benn Étair, Beann Éadair, Binn Éadair (Eadar's Peak).
- Etymology. According to some Irish authorities the place received the name of Ben-Edair from a Tuatha Dé Danann chieftain, Edar the son of Edgaeth, who was buried there; while others say that it was from Edar the wife of Gann, one of the five Firbolg brothers who divided Ireland between them. The name "Howth" is Danish. It is written in ancient letters Hofda Houete, and Howeth, all different forms of the northern word Hoved, "a head".
A widespread legend concerns an incident at Howth, which apparently occurred in 1576. During a trip from Dublin, Grace O'Malley (Gráinne Ní Mháille) attempted to pay a courtesy visit to Howth Castle, home of the 8th Baron Howth. However, she was informed that the family was at dinner and the castle gates were closed against her. In retaliation, she abducted the Earl's son and heir Christopher St. Lawrence, later the 10th Baron. He was eventually released when a promise was given to keep the gates open to unexpected visitors, and to set an extra place at every meal. At Howth Castle today, this agreement is still honoured by the Gaisford St. Lawrence family, descendants of the Baron.
William Ulick Tristram St Lawrence was 4th Earl of Howth (1827-1909), created Baron Howth in the Peerage of the UK in 1881.
A Finnegans Wake Gazetteer, Map
