Dublin Bay faces east — bring a coat, come early

Dublin Bay opens east toward the Irish Sea, which means sunrises over water are available from several points. Dún Laoghaire pier, a granite pier 1.5 kilometers long running southeast into the bay, faces east — sunrise at the end of the pier in summer is exactly as good as it sounds. The bay faces away from the prevailing Atlantic weather, which comes from the southwest. Wind is always a factor. Dublin is famously grey; the light when it comes — particularly on March and October mornings after a front has passed — can be exceptional. The Ha'penny Bridge over the Liffey at dusk, facing south toward the Custom House dome, is the classic city shot. Howth Head, the rocky peninsula north of the bay, faces southwest from its summit cliffs and gives sea views that Dublin city center cannot.