One of Ireland's prettiest seaside towns
For a day by the sea with lots of entertaining extras get the DART out to Howth. This harbour village in north Dublin is a sought after address and is popular with visitors from Dublin and further afield in summer.
The Howth Peninsula offers splendnid panoramic views over Dublin Bay and looks out on to Irleand's Eye. It is home to a working harbour, marina, two lighthouses and historic attractions include a Martello tower, a castle, an old abbey and a portal tomb.
The neighbourhood has a variety of terrains including coastal paths, rocky hills and woodland. It has a larage SAC (Special Area of Conservation) making it a nature haven and is ideal for hikers and birdwatchers.
Seafood is in no short supply here and you are guaranteed the freshest catch with trawlers unloading in the harbour regularly. The region is home to the Dublin Bay Prawn and celebrates the crustacean with a special festival every year.
There are numerous award-winning restaurants in the area and you can get your fill of the finest fish fillet or whatever seafood dish you prefer. Pubs are a plenty should you be looking for a pint and there are numerous B&Bs if you decide to stay over.
You won’t be stuck for things to do here either. Go sailing, take a boat trip or kayak to Ireland’s Eye. Go sea angling for a fish supper or watc the professionals come in and out of the harbour. Go walking around the hills and take in the stunning views out across the sea and down along the east coast.
Visit the museums, including the National Transport Museum and the Museum of Vintage Radio or go golfing at the large complex in the grounds of the castle. There’s also an open market by the harbour at the weekend.
Howth is called ‘Binn Éadair’ in Irish. This name has pre-Christian origins when the Celtic tribes called this peninsula ‘Ben Edar,’ the mountain or hill of Edar, possibly after a chieftain of the Tuatha De Danann. It may also have come from ‘Benn na Edar’ meaning ‘Hills of the Oaks.’
The English name Howth comes from the Vikings who invaded in the 9th century and called it ‘hoved’ meaning head. Over the years this came to be Howth. Discover what Howth is really about; visit it yourself. See visithowth.ie for more information.
To explore more in Howth click here.