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Ferry to Ireland's Eye in Howth
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From €30 per person
Ireland’s Eye is a small, uninhabited island sitting just off the tip of the Howth peninsula - and on a good day, the short ferry crossing is one of the simplest and most satisfying escapes you can make from Dublin. It takes you out of the city without going anywhere complicated.
On the way over, you get striking views of the Howth Head cliffs rising from the water. Weather permitting, the ferry lands on the island and you can get out and explore at your own pace. There’s a west-facing beach with clear water for swimming if you’re feeling brave, an early 19th-century Martello tower to wander around, and wide panoramic views back toward the mainland. The birdlife out here is serious: puffins, gannets, and cormorants all nest on the island, and if you’re visiting in the right season you’ll see more of them in an hour than you might expect.
Your ticket covers the return crossing. Each ferry carries up to 28 people.
Meeting point: Down at the very end of the West Pier, opposite Aqua Restaurant in Howth.
Get to Howth early and make a morning of it. The DART from Dublin city centre drops you right at Howth village, and the walk along the harbour to the West Pier end takes about 10 minutes. Arrive before your crossing and you’ll have time to browse the harbour market or grab something to eat before heading out to the island.
Bring snacks for the island. There’s nothing to buy once you land - no café, no shop, nothing. A sandwich and a flask of tea from Howth village is a straightforward plan, and eating on the west-facing beach with a view of the mainland is genuinely one of those simple moments that sticks with you.
The birdwatching is best in early summer. Puffins, gannets, and cormorants nest on Ireland’s Eye, and if you’re there between May and July you’ll see the colony in full activity. Binoculars make a real difference - the nesting sites on the cliff faces are visible from the island’s paths but you’ll want to get close without disturbing the birds.
Check the weather before you go. Landing on the island is weather permitting, which means on rough or windy days the ferry might circle the island rather than dock. The crossing and the views of Howth Head are still worth the trip, but if you specifically want to get ashore and swim, pick a calm day. The Irish weather apps tend to be reasonably accurate for coastal conditions.
Howth itself is worth a full afternoon. The cliff walk around Howth Head is one of the best coastal walks near Dublin, taking in views of the bay, Lambay Island, and back toward the city. After the ferry, if your legs are up for it, the walk to the Baily Lighthouse and back is a proper outing.