Howth Village on the northern tip of Dublin Bay is the city’s coastal gem and the most popular DART day trip from central Dublin. The 17th-century fishing village retains its harbourside character with brightly coloured fishing boats, seafood restaurants, the famous cliff walk, harbour seal watching, and the Howth Sunday Market. Just 25 minutes by DART from city centre, Howth offers an entirely different Dublin experience: maritime, outdoor, and atmospheric. This guide covers everything to see, eat, and do in Howth from the iconic Cliff Walk to the seafood institutions to lesser-known stops.
It expands on a section of our full Dublin neighbourhood guide.
Understanding Howth
Howth (pronounced “hoath”) is a small fishing village and coastal neighbourhood at the northern entrance to Dublin Bay. The village wraps around Howth Harbour with the dramatic Howth Head peninsula extending east into the Irish Sea. Population around 8,000 in the village area expanding to 15,000+ including the surrounding Sutton suburbs. The DART connects Howth to central Dublin in 25 minutes; the area is also reachable by car (45 minutes) or Dublin Bus.
The Howth area combines genuine fishing village character with affluent suburban character. The fishing fleet operates from Howth Harbour with commercial trawlers selling daily catches. The village restaurants emphasise local seafood. The Howth Head peninsula contains some of Dublin’s most expensive homes alongside ancient ruins, dramatic cliff walks, and lighthouse views. The 1014 Battle of Clontarf where Brian Boru defeated the Vikings reportedly involved fighting around Howth.
The Howth Cliff Walk
The Howth Cliff Walk is the headline Howth experience. The 6km loop walk around Howth Head provides dramatic cliff-edge views of the Irish Sea, the Baily Lighthouse (1814), Ireland’s Eye island, and (on clear days) the Welsh coast. The walk takes 2–3 hours at a moderate pace with stops for photos and resting.
The route options
Several route options exist. The Green Route (the loop, 6km, 2–3 hours) starts and ends at the Howth Summit car park. The Bog of Frogs Loop is a shorter 4km variation. The Pier Walk is a flat 1km out-and-back from the village to the East Pier — family-friendly and stroller-accessible. The Sutton-to-Howth Cliff Walk is a longer 10km route extending the experience.
Cliff walk tips
- Wear comfortable walking shoes with grip.
- Bring waterproof jacket — weather changes quickly.
- Allow 2–3 hours for the full loop including photo stops.
- Pack water and snacks.
- Best photographs in late afternoon when the cliffs catch evening light.
- The trail is mostly clear but can be muddy after rain.
- Watch children on cliff edges — some sections have no barriers.
- Late winter/early spring sees the trail at its quietest.
- The Bog of Frogs section in spring shows seasonal wildflowers.
Free walking with no admission charges. The walk passes the Baily Lighthouse area and the Howth Head summit car park. See our dedicated Howth Cliff Walk guide for the comprehensive treatment.
Howth Harbour
Howth Harbour is the working centre of the village with commercial fishing trawlers landing daily catches alongside leisure boats and pleasure yachts. The East Pier walk extends 1km from the harbour past the Howth Lighthouse (1818) to the harbour entrance. The West Pier extends shorter and includes the harbour seal hangout. The Howth Yacht Club hosts sailing races and the annual Howth Race Week in July.
The harbour seal watching is the village’s informal attraction. Multiple Atlantic grey seals regularly visit the West Pier hoping to beg for fish from fishermen and tourists. The seals are wild but accustomed to humans; do not feed or touch them (despite the visible begging behaviour). The seal population is most active in morning and afternoon hours when fishing boats land catches.
Ireland’s Eye
Ireland’s Eye is the small uninhabited island just off Howth Harbour. The 15-hectare island features Martello tower (1804), the ruined St Nessan’s Church (8th century), a Victorian-era prison (briefly used), and significant seabird colonies including puffins, razorbills, and guillemots. The Frank Doyle Boats ferry service runs from Howth Harbour to the island (€15 adult, €6 child return) typically April–October. The 15-minute crossing brings you to an excellent picnic destination with cliff walks and wildlife.
Allow 2–3 hours on the island plus DART travel for a complete experience. Bring lunch (no facilities on the island). Wear sturdy walking shoes. Watch the time for return ferries. The island is particularly atmospheric in evening light. For more day trip options see our Day Trips from Dublin pillar.
Howth Restaurants
Beshoffs of Howth
Beshoffs has served fish and chips at Howth Harbour since 1934. Adult portion €14, kids’ portion €9. The cod and chips, prawn and chips, and traditional Battered cod with mushy peas are the staples. The seating area overlooks the harbour. Takeaway available with picnic tables outside. Open daily 12pm–9pm.
Other Howth restaurants
- The Fish Shack — Howth Harbour. Premium seafood platters.
- Crabby Jo’s — West Pier. Casual seafood with harbour views.
- Octopussy’s Seafood Tapas — Howth Harbour. Modern seafood tapas.
- The Brass Monkey — West Pier. Pub with strong seafood programme.
- Aqua — West Pier. Premium seafood restaurant.
- Howth Castle Cookery School — Periodic family cooking classes.
- The Bloody Stream — Howth Harbour. Traditional pub with quality food.
- Howth Yacht Club restaurant — Members and guests only but excellent.
- King Sitric — East Pier. Long-established seafood restaurant.
Howth Castle
Howth Castle has been the home of the St Lawrence family for 800 years — one of Ireland’s oldest continuously occupied private residences. The castle dates to the 15th century with significant 18th-century renovations by Sir Edward Lovett Pearce. The grounds include the Howth Rhododendron Gardens (open seasonally) with one of Ireland’s largest rhododendron collections. The castle itself is private but the perimeter walks are accessible. Howth Castle Cookery School operates on the estate.
Howth Sunday Market
The Howth Sunday Market runs every Sunday 10am–5pm in the harbour area car park. The market combines local food producers, crafts, vintage clothing, ready-to-eat international food, and family entertainment. Excellent for lunch with strong food stalls including seafood, baked goods, and international cuisines. Often live music. Free entry. Combines naturally with the DART trip to Howth on Sunday for a perfect family day. Quality is generally high; haggling not appropriate at this artisan market.
Suggested Howth Day
Morning: DART from city centre to Howth (25 minutes). Walk the East Pier for sea views and lighthouse photos. Watch the seals at the West Pier.
Late morning: Start the Howth Cliff Walk loop (6km, 2–3 hours). Pack a small picnic or buy supplies at the village before starting.
Lunch: Beshoffs fish and chips at the harbour (allow 60 minutes for queues on busy days) OR the Howth Sunday Market food stalls if visiting on Sunday.
Afternoon: Optional Ireland’s Eye ferry (€15 adult, 2–3 hours on the island). Alternative: explore Howth Castle grounds and Rhododendron Gardens (seasonal).
Late afternoon: Coffee at one of the village cafes. Final harbour walk for sunset photos.
Evening: Pint at The Bloody Stream or the Brass Monkey before catching the DART back to Dublin. Optional dinner at Aqua, King Sitric, or Octopussy’s if extending into evening.
How to Get to Howth
- DART — Direct trains from Connolly Station (city centre) to Howth in 25 minutes. €3.30 single, €5.50 return. Children under 5 free. Trains run every 15–30 minutes from 6am to 11pm.
- Dublin Bus — Route 31 from Lower Abbey Street (city centre) takes 45–60 minutes. €3.30 fare.
- Driving — 30–45 minutes from city centre depending on traffic. Free parking in Howth (limited spots fill on busy days).
- Taxi — €25–35 from city centre.
- Cycling — The Sutton-to-Sandycove (S2S) coastal cycle path reaches Howth in 40–60 minutes from city centre.
The DART is by far the most popular and convenient option. Travel mid-week or off-peak for less crowded trains. The DART operates frequently throughout the day; you don’t need to plan a specific train.
Howth with Kids
Howth makes an excellent family day trip. Specific kid-friendly activities:
- The East Pier walk — 1km flat stroller-friendly walk with sea views and lighthouse.
- Harbour seal watching — Perennial favourite for all ages.
- Beshoffs fish and chips — Family institution with kids’ portions.
- Sunday Market — Family-friendly with food and entertainment.
- Cliff Walk options — The shorter routes work for kids aged 7+. Younger kids prefer the East Pier.
- Howth Castle grounds — Rhododendron Gardens in spring/summer.
- Coastal swimming — Balscadden Bay for hardy families. Forty Foot at Sandycove (DART south) for the famous swim spot.
Howth Pubs
- The Abbey Tavern — Abbey Street. Traditional music sessions year-round.
- The Bloody Stream — Howth Harbour. Atmospheric pub with quality food.
- The Brass Monkey — West Pier. Casual pub with seafood programme.
- The Cock Tavern — Howth village. Local pub.
- Findlater Pub — Howth Harbour. Casual pub overlooking the harbour.
- The Pier House — West Pier. Pub with strong food and views.
Howth Events
- Howth Sunday Market — Weekly year-round.
- Howth Yacht Club Race Week (July) — Annual sailing regatta.
- Howth Christmas Lights (December) — Free family event.
- Bram Stoker Festival walks (October) — Sometimes include Howth.
- Howth Castle open days — Periodic.
- Howth Cookery School classes — Year-round seasonal programmes.
Staying in Howth
- The King Sitric — East Pier. Restaurant with rooms, harbour views. From €180.
- Howth Lodge Hotel — Howth Road. Family-friendly hotel. From €160.
- Various B&Bs — Several family-run B&Bs in Howth and Sutton. €90–140 per night.
- Multiple Airbnb options — Houseshares and apartments with sea views.
Most visitors do Howth as a day trip from Dublin rather than staying overnight. Staying in Howth makes sense for visitors prioritising coastal walks, sea views, and slower pace over central Dublin sightseeing access.
A Brief Howth History
Howth takes its name from the Old Norse “Hoved” (head) reflecting the area’s Viking history. Howth Head’s strategic location at the entrance to Dublin Bay made it a navigational landmark and military outpost throughout Irish history. Vikings established fishing and trading settlements here in the 9th century. The Norman St Lawrence family received Howth Castle and surrounding lands in the 12th century and have held them continuously since.
Howth Harbour was extended and rebuilt in the early 19th century (1807–1813) by John Rennie to serve as a major Irish Sea port. The DART rail link opened in 1846, connecting Howth to central Dublin. Twentieth-century commercial decline transformed Howth from working port to predominantly leisure village with the fishing fleet continuing on a smaller scale. The St Lawrence family retains ownership of Howth Castle and significant Howth Head land. Howth’s 1014 Battle of Clontarf connections (Brian Boru defeated the Vikings reportedly with fighting around Howth) remain part of local heritage.
Best Howth Photo Spots
- Baily Lighthouse from the Cliff Walk — The iconic Howth Head landmark.
- Howth East Pier with the lighthouse — Particularly photogenic at sunset.
- The fishing trawlers in the harbour — Working maritime character.
- Seal watching at West Pier — Wildlife photography opportunity.
- Ireland’s Eye from the cliff walk — Dramatic island view.
- Howth Castle exterior — 800-year-old castle in atmospheric setting.
- Cliff Walk panoramas — Toward Dublin city centre on clear days.
- Howth Summit views — Toward Lambay Island and the Wicklow Mountains.
Detailed Cliff Walk Route
The standard 6km loop route starts at Howth Harbour, climbs the path past the church to Balscadden Bay, continues along the cliff edge past the Nose of Howth, reaches the Baily Lighthouse view, continues to Howth Summit, returns via the Bog of Frogs trail, and descends back to the village. The trail is well-marked with green directional arrows.
Key waypoints: Balscadden Bay (small beach, swimming for hardy locals), Nose of Howth (clifftop viewpoint), Baily Lighthouse (active lighthouse, 1814), Howth Summit (highest point of the peninsula), Bog of Frogs (boggy bog area). Bring water and waterproof jacket regardless of weather forecast. The cliff edges have no barriers in many sections; supervise children carefully. The route descends to the village via residential streets at the end.
Howth’s Working Fishing Heritage
Howth maintains a small but active commercial fishing fleet alongside its leisure character. Six to ten trawlers land daily catches at Howth Harbour, supplying fresh fish to Dublin restaurants and Beshoffs. The fish auction operates early morning at the harbour fish market; tours of the fish handling operations are occasionally available. Howth Harbour also processes shellfish including crab, lobster, and prawns. The local fishing fleet has declined significantly from its 20th-century peak but the Howth Fishing Heritage Centre (limited opening) preserves the maritime history.
Howth Through the Seasons
Spring (March–May): Wildflowers along the cliff walk peak in April-May. Seabird nesting begins on Ireland’s Eye. Mild weather and longer days. Sunday Market grows busier.
Summer (June–August): Peak tourist season. Long daylight (sunset 9:30pm in June). Warmest weather. Ireland’s Eye ferries running. Howth Yacht Club Race Week in July. Busy market and harbour.
Autumn (September–November): Quieter than summer but still pleasant. Autumn colours along inland sections of cliff walk. Storm-watching from the cliffs in late autumn.
Winter (December–February): Cold and windy but atmospheric. Howth Christmas Lights in December. Storm-watching at the cliffs. Fewer crowds at restaurants and pubs. Sunday Market continues year-round.
Combining Howth with Nearby Areas
Howth combines naturally with adjacent areas. Sutton immediately south is a quieter coastal village reachable by foot or one DART stop. Portmarnock Strand south of Sutton is Dublin’s premier sandy beach reachable by Sutton DART then short walk. Malahide 25 minutes by DART has Malahide Castle (the family attraction) and Malahide Marina. Clontarf and the Bull Wall are accessible by Dublin Bus 130 along the coast back toward city centre. The combined Sutton-to-Howth or Howth-Malahide DART routes provide extensive coastal exploration alternatives.
Howth’s Famous Residents
Howth has long been home to wealthy Dublin residents including W.B. Yeats (briefly), Maeve Binchy, and several contemporary Irish music and film stars. The cliff walk featured in James Joyce’s Finnegans Wake setting (the Wake is partly set in Howth and surrounding Chapelizod). Yeats wrote his 1894 poem “The Land of Heart’s Desire” while staying at Balscadden House overlooking Howth Harbour. Modern visitors won’t encounter famous residents at Howth restaurants (they have other options) but the wider Howth area remains one of Dublin’s most exclusive addresses.
Howth Summit and Inland Howth
Howth Summit at 171 metres is the highest point of the Howth Head peninsula and provides 360-degree views across Dublin Bay, the Wicklow Mountains, and (on clear days) the Mountains of Mourne in Northern Ireland. The summit has a small car park, public seating, and viewing telescopes. Bus 31 from city centre serves the summit (different stop from Howth Harbour). The Howth Cliff Walk loops via the summit. The Bog of Frogs inland section connects to residential streets descending back to the village. The Howth Castle grounds extend into the inland area.
For visitors short on time but wanting the summit view, take Bus 31 directly to the summit, spend 30 minutes at the viewpoint, then descend on foot to the harbour for lunch — a 45-minute walk that takes the most scenic part of the cliff walk in reverse.
Howth Village: FAQ
How do I get to Howth from Dublin city centre?
DART from Connolly Station to Howth in 25 minutes. €3.30 single, €5.50 return. Trains every 15–30 minutes. Alternative: Dublin Bus 31 (45–60 minutes, €3.30). Driving 30–45 minutes with free parking in Howth.
How long does the Howth Cliff Walk take?
The full 6km Green Route loop takes 2–3 hours including stops for photos. The shorter 4km Bog of Frogs Loop takes 90 minutes. The flat 1km East Pier walk takes 20–30 minutes and is family-friendly with strollers.
Where is Beshoffs in Howth?
Beshoffs of Howth is at the Howth Harbour. The famous chipper has served fish and chips since 1934. Adult portion €14, kids’ portion €9. Open daily 12pm–9pm. Takeaway and sit-down options. Allow 30–60 minutes including queue on busy days.
Can I see seals in Howth?
Yes — Atlantic grey seals regularly visit the West Pier in Howth Harbour. The seals are wild but accustomed to humans; they often beg for fish from fishermen and tourists. Do not feed or touch the seals (despite their behaviour). Most active during morning and afternoon when fishing boats land catches.
What is the Howth Sunday Market?
The Howth Sunday Market runs every Sunday 10am–5pm in the harbour car park. Combines local food producers, crafts, vintage clothing, ready-to-eat international food, and family entertainment. Often live music. Free entry. Excellent lunch destination combined with the DART trip.
Can I visit Ireland’s Eye island?
Yes — Frank Doyle Boats runs ferries from Howth Harbour to Ireland’s Eye April–October. €15 adult, €6 child return. 15-minute crossing. The 15-hectare island has seabird colonies, beach, ancient church ruins, and Martello tower. Allow 2–3 hours on the island plus travel. Bring lunch (no facilities). Sturdy shoes essential.
Is Howth Village family-friendly?
Yes — Howth makes an excellent family day trip from Dublin. The East Pier walk is stroller-friendly. Harbour seal watching engages all ages. Beshoffs fish and chips suits kids. The Sunday Market provides entertainment. Cliff Walk options work for ages 7+ depending on route choice. DART travel with kids is easy.
What time should I visit Howth?
Morning DART arrival (10–11am) gives time for cliff walk and lunch. Sunday is best for the Sunday Market combined experience. Mid-week visits are quieter. Late afternoon arrivals miss the cliff walk daylight but capture sunset photos at the harbour. Avoid weather forecasts predicting heavy rain or wind — the cliff walk becomes dangerous in storms.
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