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Howth is a beautiful coastal fishing village in the outer suburbs of Dublin. It’s a great place to seek refuge when the hustle and bustle of Dublin becomes too much.
First things first, don’t pronounce Howth like its written otherwise no one will understand you. Instead of ‘How-th’ its pronounced ‘H-oath’. Huh? I know, but stay with me because Howth really is a lovely place to visit, especially on a sunny day.
Getting There
Howth is easily accessible from Dublin and takes about 30 minutes by bus, DART train, and car (parking can be limited in the weekends when it gets busy).
Getting Around
For those that are reasonably fit, all the sights can easily be reached on foot.
Attractions
There is plenty to keep you occupied for at least a day, preferably two if you can spare the time.
Seafood Pier
Howth is THE place to eat and buy fresh seafood. Visit the West Pier and you will find a harbour lined with seafood markets. Even if you can’t take some home to cook, take advantage of one of the many seafood restaurants. For those on a budget, visit the local fish and chip shop and enjoy your meal on the pier taking in the sea views. Afterwards, continue your walk around the pier and visit the lighthouse.
Howth Markets
Opposite the Howth train station, you will find a lovely local market of around 25 stalls. The markets are open on Saturdays, Sundays, and Bank Holidays from 9am. Bring your appetite because the market is full of delicious homemade goods. Find out more on their website howthmarkets.ie.
Howth Coastal Path
Entire Howth Coastal Path Circuit:
You can also choose to walk smaller parts of this circuit track.
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Length: 10.3 miles / 16.5 km
- Duration: Half day
The Howth Coastal Path takes you on a stunning walk around the peninsula, Howth Head. Wildlife enthusiasts will adore this area which boasts guillemots, razorbills, fulmars, gulls and gannets just to name a few.
To get to the cliff trail, walk eastwards from the train station towards the harbour. Continue past the west pier, yacht club, and east pier (enjoy a short diversion along the east pier promenade to the lighthouse). Continue up the coastal road to where the cliff walk begins at Puck’s Rock. The path will lead you across a beautiful rugged coastline featuring heather, gorse, wildflowers and sea birds which nest in the rock crevices.
The cliff path is rather exposed in certain sections and so is not recommended during stormy weather. Given the changeable nature of Irish weather, I would recommend that you bring a waterproof and windproof jacket. The terrain varies from paved paths to rough tracks, with the southern section of the cliff path particularly uneven. Flat trail shoes with good grip should suffice.
Ireland’s Eye
Ireland’s Eye is a small uninhabited island that can easily be reached by a short boat ride from Howth. There are two ferries, Ireland’s Eye Ferries and Island Ferries, which make regular trips to the island from Howth Pier.
For a small island, it has a lot to see including a tower built in 1803 on the instructions of the Duke of York to repel a possible invasion by Napoleon, and the ruins of a church, the Church of the Three Sons of Nessan which dates back to 700AD. The church functioned as a parish church for Howth until recent centuries, eventually being replaced by a church in the village due to the limitations of having to take a boat for every service.
Between April to July the island is popular with bird watches as it becomes home to a variety of nesting sea birds including lmar, Cormorant, Shag, Gannet, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Kittiwake, Guillemot, Razorbill, Black Guillemot and Puffin.
St Mary’s Abbey Ruins
The site of the ruined abbey offers beautiful views of the Howth harbour. The earliest church was built on this site in 1042 by the Viking King of Dublin, Sitric. The church was replaced around 1235 by an abbey and amalgamated with the monastery on Ireland’s Eye (mentioned above). It was then rebuilt again in the late 14th century.
Howth Castle
Howth Castle has been home to one family for over 800 years. In 1177 Almeric, the first Lord of Howth came to Ireland with John de Courcy. Legend has it that on the 10th August, the feast day of St Lawrence, at Evora Bridge, close to the Church of Ireland church he won a victory which secured him possession of the Howth peninsula. In gratitude for this he is said to have taken the name of St Lawrence.
The Castle has been extensively altered over the years to adapt it to modern time, and is now also home to a cookery school.
The castle is located near the village, walking distance from the railway station. Although the castle is not open to the public, part of the grounds are open to visitors. Head through the impressive gates where you will see signs for the Deer Park Hotel. There is a lovely rhododendron garden to enjoy in bloom May to June, and a beech hedge planted in 1710.
National Transport Museum
If you are into historical vehicles, then you will love the Howth National Transport Museum which is located near the Castle. There are 60 vehicles on display and they date from 1883 and include passenger, military and fire and emergency vehicles.
RELATED POST YOU WILL LOVE: 5 Stunning Walks in and Around Dublin
Accommodation Options
Howth
As Howth is a small coastal village, the accommodation options in Howth and the surrounding area are limited. Click here to search all available accommodation in and around Howth.
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Most people stay in Dublin city and visit Howth as a day trip. Click here to search all available accommodation in Dublin.
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