Market
Howth Market
Weekend market opposite the DART with artisan food and crafts.
Known for: Artisan cheese, fresh bread, and Irish preserves
Hours: Saturdays, Sundays, and Bank Holidays 09:00-18:00. Front units open daily.
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Plan Your Visit
Everything you need to know before you head out: weather, what to pack, the best seasons, and useful links.
Looking for a day plan?
Half-day highlights, full-day explorer, rainy day plan, and weekend escape: all mapped out step by step.
Weather & What to Bring
Weather
Howth has a maritime climate. Expect changeable weather year-round. It can be sunny and raining within the same hour. Temperatures range from 4-8°C in winter to 14-20°C in summer. Coastal areas can feel cooler with the wind.
Packing Checklist
- ✓Waterproof jacket (essential year-round)
- ✓Layers: temperature can change quickly
- ✓Comfortable walking shoes
- ✓Camera: the views are worth it
- ✓Sunscreen: yes, even in Ireland
Bring Something Home
Local producers, markets, and makers worth a stop before you leave Howth.
Food
Doran's on the Pier
Family smokehouse on the pier since 1962, known for oak-smoked salmon.
Known for: Oak-smoked Atlantic salmon
Oak-smoked Atlantic salmon
Food
Wright's of Howth
West Pier smokehouse and fishmonger, oak-smoking salmon since 1893.
Known for: Oak-smoked Atlantic salmon
Hours: Mon-Thu 09:00-18:00, Fri-Sun 09:00-19:00
Shop directBest Time to Visit
Spring
March - May
The rhododendrons in the castle grounds peak in May.
Spring is when the peninsula shakes off winter. The rhododendrons in Howth Castle's grounds peak in mid-May and the deep reds push through before everything else goes green. Puffins return to Ireland's Eye in April and you can catch them from the ferry until mid-July. Daylight stretches out to around half eight in the evening by late April, which makes the cliff walk a proper after-work option. Expect cooler mornings and gusty afternoons, especially at the summit. Restaurant terraces start to open up from late March if the weather allows. The village is quieter before the June bank holiday, so book tables for Easter weekends only. Good for anyone who wants the headland without the summer queues.
Summer
June - August
Peak season. The cliff walk is busiest before noon; head out early or late.
June to August is peak Howth. The cliff walk gets busy from late morning, so head out before nine or after six if you want it to yourself. Boats to Ireland's Eye book out a few days in advance in July and August, especially the late-morning sailings. Harbour restaurants get serious about seafood in summer, and the Summit Inn's beer garden is the reward at the end of a warm cliff walk. Expect tour buses on Harbour Road between noon and four, and parking near the harbour gone by ten on any sunny Saturday. Swimming is possible at Claremont Beach in Sutton but the water is not warm, even in August. DART is busier than usual but still reliable. Book accommodation early for the Howth Roots & Blues Festival weekend in early August if you want to stay over.
Autumn
September - November
Fewer crowds, better light. The best time for photography on the headland.
Autumn is the best-kept secret in Howth. The light is sharper, the crowds thin from mid-September, and photographers come for the clear headland views without the summer haze. Mornings get crisp by October and the gorse yellows on the cliff path. Restaurants ease back into their full menus after the summer churn, and the harbour pubs fill up on Sunday afternoons after walks. Wind picks up from mid-October so the summit can feel considerably colder than the village. By late September the village settles into a slower rhythm after the summer crowds, and that quieter pace is much of the appeal. Ferries to Ireland's Eye wind down by early October depending on sea conditions. A good time for a longer stay, especially midweek when the village gets back to feeling like itself.
Winter
December - February
Wrap up for the cliff walk. The harbour pubs are at their best when it is cold outside.
Winter in Howth rewards anyone willing to dress properly. The cliff walk is muddy in places but the light between squalls is dramatic, and you will often have the headland to yourself. Harbour pubs like the Bloody Stream, Abbey Tavern, and Findlaters are at their best when it is cold outside: real fires, good seafood chowder, and live trad on weekend nights. The seal colony in the harbour is visible all year but easier to spot when the village is quiet. The Christmas market weekend in early December is worth timing a trip around, and the New Year's Eve fireworks over the harbour are among the better ones in Dublin. Daylight is short, so plan the cliff walk for the middle of the day and keep something warm in the car. Ferries are out until the spring.
Quick Links for Planning
Weather Forecast
Check Met Eireann for the latest Howth forecast before you head out.
Met Eireann
DART Timetable
Plan your train journey to Howth. DART runs every 10-30 minutes from Dublin city centre.
Irish Rail
Leap Card
Save 20-30% on DART and bus fares. Buy a Leap Visitor Card for unlimited travel.
Leap Card
Transport for Ireland
Plan your journey to Howth by DART, bus, or Luas.
Transport for Ireland
Visit Dublin
Explore more of Dublin beyond Howth, from Temple Bar to Phoenix Park.
Visit Dublin
Getting Here
Detailed transport options for reaching Howth by DART, bus, car, taxi, or bicycle.
TravelPlan.guide