Walking down the busy streets of Dublin, it is sometimes easy to forget that Dublin is a coastal town: its pub culture and recent fame for being the European ‘silicon valley’ conjures up the misleading image of a highly urbanised space, far from the misty and scenic landscapes of the west of the country. The city has, however, a lovely coast and there are many places near Dublin where it is possible to get a taste of the rugged Irish landscape without even having to hire a car. One of such places is the scenic peninsula and charming fishing village of Howth, one of the best places to visit near Dublin for a day trip.
Howth is one of the best day trips from Dublin with kids (and also without!) and one of the best places to visit around Dublin if you want a taste of the beautiful Irish coast without heading over to the West of the country
Howth head as seen from Howth pier: I would not mind living in that white house, how about you?
Day trip from Dublin to Howth with kids: history and info
Howth is a small peninsula just on the North of Dublin city, stretching out into the Irish sea. Its postal address is ‘County Dublin’ making it technically a separate entity but it very much a part of the city and a highly sought after one.
Here, fishing vessels and sailboats sit side by side in the gorgeous marina and smaller older houses share the space with elegant mansions, perched on the Howth promontory as if contemplating the bay.
Howth is a promontory, so part of it is at sea level, while part climbs up to what it is normally referred to as ‘Howth summit’, reachable by car and marked by a popular pub (aptly named ‘the summit’).
Originally a Norse town established by the Vikings in 819, Howth was taken first by the Irish King Brian Boru in 1014 and then by invading anglo Normans in 1177 during a violent battle which produced so much blood that one of Howth’s mains waterways became known as the bloody stream (today there is a restaurant of that name below the DART station where you can enjoy scrumptious fish and chips).
In later years, Howth was the port where the mail boats would dock bringing Ireland its letters and parcels and in the early 20th Century was the landing point of a famous shipment of arms for use by the Irish rebels against the British in 1916.
Howth was the setting of Leopold Bloom’s proposal to Molly in Ulysses and a later Joycean character was the personification of Howth Head. Finally, Howth is the home of some Irish celebrities including U2 drummer Larry Mullen.
Howth Marina: on our last day trip to Howth, we spent hours watching the local kids jumping into the shining (but freezing!) water
How to get to Howth from Dublin.
Train: by far the easiest way to reach Howth is by the train that goes by the name DART, the urban train that follows the curve of Dublin bay.
From the city centre, the two handiest stations are Tara Street and Pearse street: from there, the journey takes approximately 30 minutes (because of the many stops) and outside rush hour is pleasant and efficient.
Tickets can be bought at the station: kids under 4 go free and it is possible to bring strollers on boards. Important to know: the DART is an urban, short distance train (not dissimilar from a metro, although not underground) so do not expect facilities or food on board. The DART arrives right into Howth village, so once there you have no need for additional transport.
BUS: from Talbot Street, in town, bus n 31a arrives in Howth. If you are in the north side of Dublin or have no easy access to the DART this can be a good option but I would be mindful of traffic as the road leading to the Howth peninsula gets easily jammed.
CAR: Howth can be reached by car and pay and display parking is available. Like the bus, the biggest drawback about driving to Howth is the high chance of getting stuck in traffic, with the added annoyance of the possible difficulty of finding parking: at busy times such as weekend and very sunny days finding a space can be a real challenge.
BOAT: In the summer many cruises are available connecting several areas of Dublin with Howth. This is a fun activity, you can read about our experience on a Dubin bay cruise here
[box] HOWTH FOR FAMILIES AT A GLANCE:
- Is Howth suitable as a day trip from Dublin with a baby or young children? Yes, it is perfect for children of all ages including babies due to the easy transport options and services
- Can I get to Howth if I do not drive? Yes, there is a great train service making Howth accessible even without a car
- Is it easy to get around Howth with a stroller? Yes, Howth is a family friendly village with large pavements, grassy areas and children spaces. The only part not accessible is the area of the cliff walk, easily avoided
- How long do I need to visit Howth? On a sunny day, I would recommend spending a full day in Howth, arriving at about lunchtime. In the summertime, Ireland has very long days and you can stay in Howth in full daylight until well over past dinner time, Howth is also a great area to stay if you like proximity to the sea. You can find several hotels here (the link will redirect you to Dublin county hotels on booking.com)
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What to do in Howth with kids
Howth is a one of the favourite family day trips from Dublin because of how child-friendly it is. The DART leaves you right in the centre of the village and from here you are several options
Ireland’s eye is a paradise for birds as it is a protected area
Take a stroll on the pier and spot seals
Take a stroll on the pier on your left, where most of the fishing boats are and try spot the seals.
Friendly, well-fed seals often bob in and out of water in this part of the harbour hoping for leftover fish from the boats. Usually you can spot two or three of them, some minding their own business and some so used to people that they have learnt to clap if you throw them fish (it’s not a show and they haven’t been trained or anything – they have just figured out that people react to the clapping throwing fresh fish from the market!).
Tip for families with kids: be very careful when you try to spot the seals. The pier is high above sea level and there in no fence, so kids must be either strapped into their buggy / retainer of held by the hand.
The walk on the pier is not only worth for the seals but also for the colourful fishing boats and for the view from its furthest point. Just in front of Howth you will find ‘Ireland eye’ a small island with a bird sanctuary and the end of the pier is a good vantage point: climb up the pier steps for the best view.
Feast on fish and seafood in Howth restaurants
Along the pier is also where most Howth restaurants are.
They all specialise in fresh fish and seafood brought in daily and in our many years in Howth we still have to find a bad one: all we tried has always been delicious!
With kids, restaurants in Howth we tend to go back to are The Bloody stream (under the DART station), which has a lively pub style atmosphere and a sunny terrace, the Brass Monkey, just on the pier and Crabby Joe, which also has a kids menu (with fish but also pasta and meat), highchairs and colouring pens.
Go to Howth beach
Just beside the DART station there is a fantastic sandy, wide beach. The water here is always cold (locals do swim, often with a wetsuit, but if you are not used to this temperature it is better avoided!) but playing in the sand is fun and the view is beautiful. Howth has shops and a nice market so if you are in the mood for a picnic, Howth beach is a great option.
Discover Howth lighthouse
My favourite bit of Howth and its most iconic landmark is its lighthouse. Standing tall at the end of the pier (on the other side of the port from the seals) the walk to the lighthouse is pleasant and easy even with you children and strollers.
Walking towards it, you have on your right the open sea, with the dark green Howth promontory, with its dark algae and rocks battered by relentless waves, while on your left the quiet sheltered waters of the marina.
On a sunny day, you will find the local teenagers daring each other to high jumps in the water and many fishermen climbing down the rocky side of the pier hoping for the fresh catch.
Howth lighthouse
Let the kids loose in Howth playground
Howth seafront is dotted with ice cream parlours and restaurants and the area between these and the water is a large grassy patch where people lie in the sun. There there is a small, enclosed playground with a decent selection of toys for kids.
Howth playground is a safe enclosed space with toys perfect for young children including slides and swings
Drive up tp the summit
On a day out in Howth it is easy to simply linger near the seafront (this is what we normally do), but it worth taking a stroll in the rest of the village and, if you have a car, the drive up to the summit. The drive will give out great views over Dublin bay and the sea shimmering in the sun is truly a sight to behold.
More things to do in Howth
With two small children, we always seem to spend out time in Howth in and around the marina, gorging on steamed mussels, but Howth has a lot more to offer if you are not tied to strollers or reluctant walkers. Here are just some ideas, with links to the relevant tourist information:
Please note: we have not tried these following activities and have no relations with them. I am including them only as reference – please refer to specific websites for information and suitability for families with kids.
- Howth cliff walk and Howth loops: a series of beautiful walk in and around the peninsula ranging from 1 to 4 hours in length
- www.howthhorsetrekking.com horse trekking and carriage ride
I have always wanted to visit Ireland. This town looks like a great place to explore. That lighthouse looks really cool.
I’m planning to visit Dublin this year so this was really helpful! I’d definitely like to expand it into more than just a city break, and Howth looks like the perfect place. The views look amazing!
lily kate x
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Never been to Ireland, but good to note this for when I’m in the area 🙂 Lovely sights!
I recently got to see Howth, too! I saw tons of people there with their children enjoying the sea, sun and hiking. It was really beautiful, just like to describe.
Oh nice, I love to see you liked it! It’s a very popular destination for family trips, if you went there on a sunny day you probably didn’t even see the lawn because of all the day trippers having their pic nics 😉
I like when a city is a cultural hub but it is surrounded by natural spaces (or coastline in this case). Last year, I read a post about Howth (that is how I discovered it) and now I gotta learn more about it from your post. It has way more areas to check than what I thought. I will not miss it when I visit Dublin.
I agree with you about having nature close to the city. Dublin in this sense is spectacular: the Dublin mountains and the sea are both a short drive away, you never feel far from beautiful scenery – it’s one of the things I love the most about living here
Howth looks really beautiful and I’m so tempted to visit after reading about the amazing seafood options they have! Will recommend this to anyone visiting Dublin (:
Thank you! The seafood is great: peeling ourselves away from Howth restaurants is always a challenge 🙂
The DART is my favorite way to get around in Dublin! The center center is easily walkable. I need to check out the other boat options, I never thought of kayaking in Dublin – great idea!
Funnily enough, neither did I! But the last few days were so sunny and warm everyone was on the water and it looked so appealing. I love Dublin in the summer!
I attended a cultural seminary once where the lead presenter was discussing architecture in Dublin. I have wanted to visit ever since. Hopefully I will get that chance, it looks amazing
I hope you can make it here: if you are into architecture, I think you will find many interesting parts of town. Dublin is not monumental but it’s full of small details and there are some new structures that are worth seeing (along the river in particular)
Last time I visited Ireland we didn’t even make it to Dublin – do you think it’s worth returning to Ireland to see it? I’d never even heard of Howth
This is a great question as Dublin can leave people with mixed feelings: it’s a nice town to live in, but not monumental or striking looking so you can easily find it underwhelming. I think it is worth as a one or two day stop on a longer Ireland itinerary and some areas on the coast, like this one, are worth seeing. I would probably not plan another trip to Ireland just for it but if you are in the area, a week end here is surely pleasant
Howth looks lovely and perfect for a relaxing day trip. I would so love to spot some cute seals in the sea!
They really are so cute and look so content, with all that easy fish from the boats!
It is lovely! Great grandparents are from Howth and we had the chance to actually visit last summer. Can’t wait to go back.
Oh nice! I live in the opposite side of town but it’s always worth going: I find i so relaxing (and the nice food is always a big plus!)
Oh my! Looks like a fun-tastic day for sailing! Glad that your family enjoyed this trip and created fun memories 😀
Thank you! It was a great day indeed and it is daylight until so late here in summer it also a very long one (in a good way!) 🙂
interesting place! my friend once visited it and sent me a postcard years ago:) #monday escapes
Oh postcards, I used to love them! It was such a nice way to make people feel you were thinking of them!
Looks like you had fun with the family. The place looks so beautiful, I’ve never been to Dublin but this definitely tempts me to squeeze it in alongside my next London trip!
I don’t have kids but I love how you specify that the area has wide sidewalks and grass, making it suitable for families traveling with young children. I’ve never EVER had to think about something like this while traveling so I feel like it opens up a whole new perspective for me!
Wow this really looks like a nice place, especially your kids looked like the had a blast! I haven’t been to Ireland so this is definitely something that I would want to see when I go! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for stopping by! Yes, my kids love Howth and what is great about it is that there is something for everyone: I brought there kids, grandparents and my friends, in different occasions, and they all loved it 🙂
I have never been to Ireland and had not heard about Howth until today. This looks like a lovely place to visit and with your kids looking like they had a blast, this is a great day trip for families.
I hope you can make it to Ireland one day and if you are in or near Dublin, try to also go to Howth: it truly is a pretty special place and yes, always a hit with my kids 🙂
Places like these always attract me. Quiet fishing villages and beautiful peninsulas. So good to read about this place which has an entirely different flavour to heartland Dublin
I also love these kinds of atmospheres: I am very attached to Dublin city, after ten years here, but this natural, quieter aspect is what I find is truly special about Ireland
We have been to Northern Ireland but not yet to Ireland Republic. Have heard a lot about Dublin as a beautiful city and Howth looks like an awesome place to visit with kids with so much to see and do and backed by history and education 🙂
I absolutely love places like this where you can have a rest from a city rush. It’s a nice idea for a weekend trip! It must be very relaxing place.
Your photos are so nice and it gives me the envy to go to Dublin and to visit Ireland also! Thanks for all the tips.
Great photos! #MondayEscapes
Kate | http://www.petiteadventures.org/
Howth looks spectacular and I would not mind staying in the White House at Howth head, what amazing views it would have.
The kids looked like they have the best time of their lives! Traveling can be a great classroom for them. Thanks for sharing!
I had not heard of Howth previously so thank you for introducing me to this wonderful city. It certainly does sound like a great day trip from Dublin. I like how many kid friendly ideas there are. I can just picture the kids walking along the coast trying to spot seals.
That looks wonderful! I love Dublin but I forget how close it is to villages like Howth. And thanks for the instructions on how to get there by DART. I will definitely look into this the next time I’m in Ireland.
The kids look like they are having a good time. It is definitely important to let them travel young and see the world. Although it would be nice to have a fence at the cliff where you are watching seals but it would probably take away from the beautiful of it.
Howth looks like a lesser known, non-touristy gem with tons of things to do.
I would love to visit this place at some point in life.
Thanks for writing this post.
🙂
This is the first time I’ve heard about Howth, well to be fair the only place I know in Ireland is Dublin. It’s thousand of miles away from me but I’d sure love to go there when I get the chance. I have no kids yet but it is something that even kids could appreciate then I’d probably love it too.
First of all, your kids are too cute! It’s their photo I first noticed, curly hair. The cutest! ha ha
But yea, this place looks very nice! Would love to see this place in the future! Xx
Thank you!! Yes, they have super curly hair, especially my daughter and she refuses to get it brushed! Daily family struggle, she wins every time 🙂 Thank you for stopping by and the lovely comment xx
Cool place to explore! Now, I know another place in Ireland aside from Dublin. Lol. Thanks for the new information, Marta! I enjoyed reading your experience in this place together with your kids 🙂
http://www.thejerny.com
Haha, before I moved here i also only knew Dublin! That’s why I love travel blog, they make me want to see more and more of the world 🙂 Thank you for stopping by
Seems Howth is perfect for families especially the side where you can spot a seal, i love to just sit there and wait for it. That light house is really beautiful. I will share this to my friends in Dublin. I hope someday I can go there too 🙂
Thank you! I hope you can make it here and when you do, let me know so I can team up with your friends to plan the perfect itinerary for you 🙂
A great day trip suggestion for Dublin. Ireland is just a short hop for us on the plane and I know that Tom and I will definitely be heading here in the near future.
I hope you do! There are some great places to visit and especially if you have a car, you can see really beautiful, remote areas
This looks like such a quaint little city to visit! If/when we make it to Dublin this day trip is a must.
Great information! You will have to be our tour guide! Lol I’m hoping we can go to Ireland sooner rather than later. Ireland has been on my list since “P.S. I Love You”.
I’m ashamed to say that I didn’t realise the coast or Howth was so close to Dublin – as you’re right. The last time I was there I spend most of it in pubs 🙂 How pretty Howth is though – and to be able to spot seals… Thanks for linking up with #MondayEscapes
To my mind, Ireland is about green grass, castles and barns. It’s good to learn more about the place I always dream of going to. And it got also beautiful shores and beaches. Now I’m in love with you place all over again. Thanks for sharing even though I can’t relate with the idea of traveling with kids, since I don’t have a child, but I love your story.