A fishing village north of Dublin with dramatic coastal cliffs, a 19th-century lighthouse, and fresh seafood markets. Popular among locals for cliff walks and seal watching.
Howth, a coastal village 25 minutes from Dublin by train, sits between 80-meter sea cliffs and a working fishing harbor. At the pier, you'll see seals swimming between trawlers unloading their daily catch. Walk past the 19th-century lighthouse, explore the 1804 Martello Tower, or follow cliff paths where wild rabbits dart through purple heather. The village's daily fish market, 6-kilometer coastal trail, and sheltered Claremont Beach connect you to Dublin Bay's maritime life.
Getting to Howth
The DART train from Dublin's city center reaches Howth in 25 minutes, with departures every 30 minutes throughout the day. You can catch the train from Tara Street Station or Connolly Station. Bus route 31 runs from Dublin's Busáras station to Howth Summit, taking approximately 35 minutes. If you're driving, follow the R105 coastal road, which leads directly to Howth harbor.
Walking the Howth Cliffs
The Cliff Path Loop stretches 6 kilometers around Howth Head, taking about two hours to complete. Start at Howth DART station and walk along the coastline, where you'll pass rocky outcrops and patches of yellow gorse. For a longer walk, take the 12-kilometer Bog of Frogs Loop to see additional views of Dublin Bay and Ireland's Eye island. Both trails have numbered markers and gravel paths.
Harbor and Lighthouse Area
Walk the East Pier's 500-meter length from the harbor to Howth Lighthouse, stopping at wooden benches to watch fishing boats and seals. At Beshoffs The Market, you'll see fishmongers preparing Dublin Bay prawns and shucking oysters. Find tables at waterfront restaurants where you can eat while watching boats come and go.
Local Food Scene
The waterfront restaurants serve fish caught by Howth's fleet of trawlers. Stop at The Bloody Stream, beneath the DART station, for locally-caught cod and chips in Dublin's largest beer garden. Get morning coffee and fresh-baked scones at Bodega in Howth Market. The Abbey Tavern lights its peat fire each evening and hosts live Irish music sessions three nights a week.
Museums and Historical Sites
The Hurdy-Gurdy Museum, in a Martello Tower above Main Street, displays early radio equipment and telecommunications devices from the 1800s. At the National Transport Museum, you can see Ireland's oldest fire engine from 1883. St Mary's Abbey's stone walls stand on a hillside overlooking the harbor, with walking paths through its grounds.
Water Activities and Beaches
Join Shearwater Sea Kayaking's guided tours to paddle around Howth's caves and get within 50 meters of Ireland's Eye island. Swim at Claremont Beach during summer months when water temperatures reach 15°C (59°F). Find fishing spots along the rocky shore where local anglers catch cod and ray using bottom-fishing techniques.
