Dublin Day Trips: Howth

My first post in my Dublin Day Trips series covered the Bray to Greystones cliffwalk, at the southern end of the DART line. This next trip is the opposite end -- one of the northern stops to the DART line -- in Howth. 

Howth (pronounced hoe-th) is an easy half-day drip from Dublin, making it a common choice for tourists. While I'm partial to Bray, Howth is a cute town and the cliff walks also feature beautiful scenery.

It's located on the peninsula of Howth Head, on the northern side of Dublin Bay. The Norse first invaded Howth in 819 (the name Howth is thought to be of Norse origin). Originally a fishing village and trading port from the 14th century, Howth is now a bustling suburb that becomes quite busy on nice weather weekends.

In my opinion, the best way to get there is via the DART. You can drive, but the roads to Howth are pretty congested on a sunny day. The DART train also conveniently stops right by the harbor, near pubs and restaurants, and the beginning of all 4 walking loops along the cliffs. 

The loops range from easy to moderate to hard, depending on length and ascent. The distances span from 6 to 10k, with shorter walks taking around 2 hours, and the longest walk taking 3-4 hours (though I always find the estimates slightly exaggerated). Let's just say you can leave your heavy duty hiking boots and walking sticks at home, but it wouldn't be a bad idea to bring a rain coat. You just never know here!

I've only done the shorter walks along the cliffs, but you still get to see a lot of Howth Head, including the lighthouse, and are back in town with plenty of time to head to a pub for a pint and some seafood chower :) 

I'd recommend the Bloody Stream -- I know, it sounds weird! The name comes from a bloody stream caused by a battle, which now sits beneath the building. Aside from the strange name and somewhat touristy location (right beneath the DART station), it's a good spot for some local food before heading back into town.

Aside from the harbor and cliff walks, 14th century Howth castle is also nice to visit. Located only 10 minutes walking distance from the train station, it is definitely worth a look. 

If you have a few days to spend in Dublin, I would definitely recommend a stop in Howth. 30 minute train ride, scenic walking loops, and charming boardwalk/harbor area... an ideal day or half-day trip out of the busy city!