Howth offers a variety of experiences side by side: transport history at the National Transport Museum, cooking classes at Howth Castle Cookery School, and trips on the water around Ireland’s Eye. When planning, it is worth distinguishing between the different ways to explore the island. The paths and beaches in the wider destination of County Fingal also offer a broader regional perspective.

Ireland’s Eye: ferry crossing or boat trip?

The Ireland’s Eye Ferry offers a short round trip from Howth to Ireland’s Eye. Passengers can disembark on the island and explore it. By contrast, a boat trip along Dublin Bay offers the chance to see Ireland’s Eye up close; seabirds and seals are among the wildlife you may spot. Sightings are not guaranteed. The two options therefore suit different preferences: the ferry allows you to go ashore on the island, while the boat trip focuses on exploring it up close and the possibility of spotting wildlife. Ferry availability depends on operating conditions; check before making plans.

Transport history and cooking classes

The National Transport Museum is located at the Heritage Depot in Howth Demesne, Howth, Ireland. It exhibits 60 of the 100 vehicles located in Howth; the number of vehicles on display may change. The oldest items in the collection date from 1883, and the newest from 1984. These figures describe two different aspects: the size of the exhibition and the collection’s time span.

Howth Castle Cookery School offers a wide range of cooking classes. These include Japanese, Spanish and Indian cuisine, as well as baking, barbecues, “Catch and Cook” and Sunday brunch. The topics therefore range from specific national cuisines to individual cooking formats. As class availability changes over time, check which options are available for your preferred dates.

Paths and views in County Fingal

In the wider destination of County Fingal, the Howth Cliff Path comprises four loop walks ranging from 6 to 10 kilometres. The Howth Cliff Path Loop starts at Howth DART station, follows the cliffs to The Summit and returns via a path running parallel to the outward route. The cliff paths offer views of Ireland’s Eye and Lambay Island. The cliffs along the marked routes are important bird habitats; grey seals can also be spotted there. Trail markers and path conditions may change. Check both before setting out.

The wider destination’s coastline

County Fingal has an 88-kilometre coastline stretching from Sutton to Balbriggan. It includes three protected estuaries, salt marshes and 13 major beaches. Examples illustrate the different features of these beaches: Velvet Strand in Portmarnock is a 5-kilometre-long sandy beach. Balcarrick Beach in Donabate stretches for 3.4 kilometres and has dunes and rock pools. Skerries South Strand is 2 kilometres long and combines a sandy beach with a promenade and a coastal path. These coastal locations are part of the wider destination of County Fingal and should not be confused with Howth.

If County Fingal is also part of your plans, the length of a loop walk and a beach’s features can provide additional criteria. This helps you focus your search on the experiences you actually want to include in your plans.

Discover more destinations: Cloghran, Portmarnock, Ballyboughal, Lusk, Ward, Kilsallaghan, Na Sceirí, Blanchardstown

Back to the wider travel overview: County Fingal.