Howth

Howth is an Irish village on the Howth Peninsula, east of central Dublin. The grounds of 15th-century Howth Castle have rhododendron gardens and a transport museum with local trams. The 19th-century Martello Tower houses a vintage radio museum. The medieval ruins of St. Mary’s Abbey lie nearby. A clifftop trail has sweeping sea views. Offshore, Ireland’s Eye is an island bird sanctuary with an ancient ruined church.

Below the hilly headland at the northern boundary of Dublin Bay lies the small fishing village of Howth. There are so many things to do hereabouts – an angler’s dream, cod, and ray are commonly caught here as fishing trawlers weave in and out of the harbour. All the while, restaurants along the seafront serve up the catch of the day to hungry hikers fresh off the Howth Head walk.

It’s easy to see why Howth is a favourite among property purchasers. Rugged coastlines, wild, rolling hills, a bustling working fishing port and a pier that remains a perennial favourite with Sunday strollers – this dreamy destination is also less than 10 miles (ca. 16 km) from Dublin city centre.

All of these traits make Howth a property hotspot, which, in turn, means that house prices here tend to be higher than almost anywhere else on the Northside.

But it’s not just leafy roads, hilltop nooks, and island views that push the prices up; Many houses in this historic village are rich in classical architecture and charm, and you may find Victorian, Edwardian, and Georgian dwellings on your hunt for the perfect home.

That’s not to say there aren’t bargains to be had, however. If you’re willing to put location before size, you may be lucky in getting something within a lower price range.