The ‘Eire 6’ sign in Howth, was one of 83 dotted around the Irish coastline, and were originally designed as a navigational aid to alert pilots to Ireland’s neutrality during the Second World War.
The large stone letters were placed in the ground in the summer of 1943 by a unit of the Irish Defence Forces known as the Coastwatchers, with numbers later added to each one to serve as a navigational aid for aircraft.
Over the decades the signs largely fell into disrepair or were covered in thick gorse and largely forgotten about.
In 2021 a community-led project secured permission to restore the Howth sign, which was rediscovered in 2018 after a similar sign was revealed on Bray Head following a large fire. The discovery of that sign stirred interest in local groups and when located the ‘Eire 6’ sign was found to be in remarkably good condition.
The sign is made of Howth quartz, and is whitewashed like the original version.
Across Dublin Bay, the 'Eire 7' sign in Dalkey and the 'Eire 8' sign in Bray have also recently undergone restoration by local volunteers.
At the posted cordinates you will see a plaque with a black background and bronze lettering. On this plaque are 6 numbers. Call these in order ABCDEF.
The cache can be found at: N 53° 22.CF(B-C) W 006° 02.DEC
There is no need to disturb any of the rocks that form the letters. Please rehide with the largest stone covering the container.