Tourist Sites

Malahide Castle and Gardens

Howth Village & Hill Walks.

Many visitors take the DART from the City centre just to walk the picturesque village of Howth, with its working fishing harbour, Marina and hill walks. 

Howth Castle & Demesne

Howth Castle was originally built 1464 and rebuilt by in the late 1500’s. Howth Castle is still occupied by the same family, making this possibly the oldest family home in Ireland. The castle is not open to the public, but the grounds are. 

'Ye Olde Hurdy Gurdy' Museum of Vintage Radio

Located in the Martello Tower Howth Village, this houses a fine collection of exhibits chronicling the history of telecommunications from the 1840s to date, including early Morse equipment, gramophones, crystal sets and valve radios. The Martello Tower has historic links with Marconi and Lee deForest, two fathers of wireless, who conducted early experiments from the tower in the 1900's. For bookings contact: Pat Herbert 086-8154189       

Transport Museum

The museum is located in the Heritage Depot, Howth Demesne. Sixty out of the 100 vehicles currently in Howth are on display, and others can be inspected by prior arrangement. The oldest items date from 1883, the newest 1984. Opening Times: Saturdays, Sundays & Public Holidays: 2:00 - 5:00 pm  

W: www.nationaltransportmuseum.org

Malahide Castle & Gardens (with Avoca Shop)

This is one of Dublin’s prime visitor attractions. The castle was built in the 12th Century by the Talbot family, who remained in residence until 1975. The Castle features a Visitor Centre and Botanic Gardens, home to over 5,000 different species of plants. T: 1-800-269-811 W: www.malahidecastleandgardens.ie

Newbridge House and Farm (M1, Exit 4 Donabate, 10km)

Built in 1736 for Archbishop Cobbe. Original furniture, paintings and objets d'art are a feature of this gracious Georgian house. The extensive 150h demesne includes a walled garden, a wildlife and Deer Park, playing and walking areas and a 19th Century working farm, where animals, machinery and old farming techniques are on view. A museum of 19th Century rural life is contained in picturesque old buildings around the 18th century courtyard. T: 01 843 6534 W: www.newbridgehouseandfarm.com

Ardgillan Castle & Demesne (M1, Exit 5, near Balbriggan)

Built in 1737. Now beautiful restored and furnished in Victorian style, the principal rooms, kitchens and the Down Survey Exhibition (a series of survey maps from 1654) are open to the public. The park commands views of the coast and contains a rose garden, a walled herb garden and Victorian conservatory. T: 01 849 2212 W: www.ardgillancastle.ie

Skerries Mills (M1, Exit 4, Skerries)

Skerries Mills complex comprises a watermill, 5-sail windmill, 4-sail windmill and associated mill races, mill pond and wetlands. The history of the mill can be traced to the early 16th century and a bakery was established on the site by 1840. Tel: 01 849 5208 W: www.skerriesmills.org

Newgrange (M1, Exit 9, Donore, 25km)

Designated a World Heritage Centre by UNESCO, The Megalithic Passage Tomb at Newgrange was built about 3200 BC. The mound covers an area of over one acre and is surrounded by 97 kerbstones, some of which are richly decorated with megalithic art. The 19 metre long inner passage leads to a cruciform chamber with a corbelled roof. There is an excellent visitor Centre.

 T: 01 988 0300 W: www.heritageireland.ie

Walking

Sutton Cross is an excellent starting place for a walk. Take the Slí Sláinte down the coast towards the city, including Dollymount Strand or turn right and walk the many trails on the Hill of Howth. For more details, please check the Walking section on our website www.marinehotel.ie

A walk across the Hill of Howth is perhaps the most scenic walk in Dublin. There are various routes, all of which have beautiful aspects over Dublin Bay. 

Bird Watching

The Marine Hotel sits adjacent to the National Nature Reserve at Bull Island. The North Bull Island is 5km long and 800m wide, and the area above high tide is approximately 300 hectares.  It contains a wide range of natural habitats which include intertidal mudflats, salt marsh, freshwater marsh, dunes, and beach area.

The mudflats support a large population of birds, at any time up to 27,000 birds are present, which gives the area the highest bird density in Ireland.  Many of the birds are migratory and these wild fowl and waders visit the Island in such numbers that they bestow on the Island an importance recognised internationally. Examples of some commonly found species are: Brent Geese, Curlew,  Widgeon, Grey Plover, Knots, Redshank, Bar-tailed Godwits, Shoveler, Oyster Catchers, Shellduck and Dunlins.

Children

Playground

There is an excellent children’s playground on the sea front in Howth.

Dublin Zoo

Located in the Phoenix Park, 12km drive, the Zoo is always popular with children. See www.dublinzoo.ie for more information.

Shopping

There is a wide variety of shopping available at Sutton Cross, including a Supervalu supermarket, clothes shops, banks and coffee shops.  

Howth has a number of shops including of special interest to the visitor, a number of galleries and gift shops.

For every requirement, Dublin City Centre offers everything you might want in shopping. It is a 20 minute car, bus or rail journey.