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Ireland's Eye and Howth Coastal Boat Tour
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Ireland’s Eye sits just off the coast of Howth, and this 45-minute boat trip is the best way to see it properly. You head out from Howth Harbour, passing the lighthouse and the cliffs of Balscadden Bay, then circle the island while the crew shares commentary on its history - including the infamous Kirwan murder that took place there in the 1850s.
The island is a protected nature reserve and part of the Dublin Bay Biosphere, and the wildlife is genuinely worth the trip. Seals haul out around the rocks, and the seabird colonies include puffins and guillemots. The Stack, a dramatic sea stack on the island’s flank, is a particular spot for nesting birds. You’ll also pass the Martello Tower, built in 1803 to defend against Napoleon.
The crew are local and know the area well. There are plenty of chances for photos throughout. Ireland’s Eye is easily reached by DART or bus from Dublin city centre - Howth is one of the more worthwhile stops on the coastal line.
Meeting point: Wait at the black gate at the top of the pontoon. The pontoon is at the very end of the West Pier in Howth, opposite Aqua Restaurant.
Howth is a 25-minute DART ride from the city centre, which makes this one of the most accessible half-day trips from Dublin. The train drops you right at the harbour, and the meeting point on the West Pier is a short walk from the station. If you’re combining this with a walk around the Howth cliffs or a meal in the village, it works well as the centrepiece of a full day out.
The Kirwan murder case is one of the most controversial Victorian trials in Irish history. In September 1852, Maria Kirwan was found dead on Ireland’s Eye after a day trip to the island with her husband William Burke Kirwan. He was convicted of her murder and transported to Bermuda, though the case was disputed for decades afterwards and many believed the verdict was unsafe. Your crew knows the story well and tells it properly on the water - it’s a genuinely gripping piece of local history.
Puffins are at their most visible on Ireland’s Eye between April and July. They nest in burrows on the island’s slopes and can often be spotted on and around The Stack. Guillemots, razorbills and gannets are also common throughout the warmer months. If you’re visiting outside those months, the seals are present year-round and are reliably entertaining.
Dress for the sea, not the harbour. Even on a calm day, it’s a few degrees colder on the water than it looks from the pier, and the wind picks up around the island. A light windproof layer makes the trip noticeably more comfortable. The boat trip itself is only 45 minutes, but you’ll be glad of it if the sea breeze gets up.
After the boat, Howth village has a good selection of seafood restaurants and fish and chip shops within a short walk of the harbour. It’s one of those spots where eating something fresh off the boat while looking out at the water you just crossed feels like the obvious thing to do. The village also has a small castle, Howth Castle, and the cliff walk that loops around Howth Head is one of the better coastal walks near Dublin.