Dublin Coastal Hike and Pints with A local & His Dog Private tour

About This Tour

Howth is one of those places that Dubliners quietly love and most visitors never quite make it to. This private hike takes you around the headland with a local guide - and their dog - who knows these coastal paths the way most people know their own back garden.

You’ll cover the cliff walk, the ruins of St. Mary’s Abbey (built in 1042), the Martello Tower, the Baily Lighthouse, and the summit with its 360-degree views across Dublin Bay. Along the way your guide shares the real local knowledge: Viking and Norman history, the stories behind Howth Castle, the hidden trails through the headland, and the details you simply won’t find in a guidebook. The pace is relaxed enough to take it all in properly.

It wraps up at the Bloody Stream pub, just under the railway station, where a complimentary pint is waiting. It’s private throughout, so you get the full attention of your guide for the whole thing.

What’s Included

• Local guide
• Video memento of your journey through Howth to share with family and friends
• Alcoholic beverages (complimentary pint at the end)

What’s Not Included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off

Itinerary

1. Howth Train Station - Meet your guide just outside the Bloody Stream Pub. Howth village itself sets the tone right away. (10 min)
2. Hidden Howth - Your guide takes you through parts of the headland and village that locals keep to themselves - the paths and spots that don’t appear on tourist maps. (5 min)
3. Howth Lighthouse - A striking piece of maritime history at the edge of the Irish Sea, with views back across the water. (5 min)
4. St. Mary’s Abbey ruins - The remains of an abbey founded in 1042, set above the village and harbour. (20 min)
5. Martello Tower - A 19th-century fortification with panoramic views of Dublin Bay and the Irish Sea, built to defend against a potential Napoleonic invasion. (10 min)
6. Howth Cliffs walk - The main event: a walk along the cliff edge with the sea below and the headland stretching out around you. (60 min)
7. Baily Lighthouse - Perched on the cliffs of Howth Head, this is one of the more dramatic spots on the whole route. (15 min)
8. Cliff Path Loop - The loop weaves back along the coastline with more views of the sea and cliffs. (45 min)
9. Howth Summit - The high point of the walk, with 360-degree views across Dublin Bay, the city and the hills. (15 min)
10. Bloody Stream pub - Back where you started, for a well-earned pint in one of Howth’s most characterful spots. (45 min)

Meeting point: Howth Train Station, just outside the Bloody Stream Pub

Good to Know

• This is a private tour, conducted in English
• Moderate level of physical fitness required
• Not recommended for travellers with spinal injuries
• Children must be accompanied by an adult
• Service animals are welcome
• Public transport (DART) stops right at the meeting point

Local Tips

Getting to Howth is very straightforward from Dublin city centre. The DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) runs directly from Connolly or Pearse stations to Howth in about 30-35 minutes, and the train drops you right at the meeting point outside the Bloody Stream pub. No taxis or transfers needed - just check the DART timetable before you go.

Wear proper footwear for the cliff walk. The paths on Howth Head are beautiful but uneven in places, with some sections that are narrow and can be muddy after rain. Comfortable walking shoes or light hiking boots are the right call. Trainers will do in dry weather, but skip the sandals.

The Martello Tower on the route is one of a series of coastal fortifications. These squat circular towers were built around Ireland’s coastline in the early 19th century as a defence against a potential French invasion during the Napoleonic Wars. The one on Howth Head has views that make the historical context feel very immediate - you can see exactly what it was built to watch.

St. Mary’s Abbey ruins are older than most people expect. Founded in 1042, they predate the Norman conquest of Ireland and sit above the village and harbour in a genuinely peaceful setting. Your guide will put the history in context, but even just standing in the ruins and looking out over the harbour is a memorable moment.

The pint at the Bloody Stream at the end of the hike is very well earned. After 3-4 hours on the headland, it’s a sociable and relaxed way to finish up. The pub has been running beside the station for years and your guide will have a local’s perspective on the village, the seafood restaurants on the pier, and anything else worth knowing about Howth before you head back to the city.

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