Dublin Bay

Dublin Bay

In Brief

"Dublin bay" is defined by land masses in the shape of a large C, forming an immense "ring of bay and skyline." At the extreme northeastern reach of this arc lies the large, high, and wild peninsula called Howth Head (pronounced "Hoath"). Off the southeastern tip of the C, perhaps six miles away from Howth as the gull flies, lies small Dalkey Island and the rocks around it.

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The third chapter of Ulysses shows Stephen walking toward Dublin along Sandymount Strand, on the large tidal flat that appears submerged in the photograph. Chapters 4-18 take place in Dublin, where the River Liffey flows into the bay at the center of the C. At the end of the last chapter Molly is recalling the day that Bloom proposed marriage to her on Howth Head. Thus the book begins at one end of the C, moves into the middle, and finishes at the other end.

John Hunt 2011
High aerial photograph of Dublin Bay, showing the tidal flats of Sandymount Strand submerged at high tide. Source: daithaic.blogspot.com.
The "ring of bay and skyline" from the "parapet" of the tower.
The "ring of bay and skyline" from the walkway north of the tower.