General Information About Howth Castle Estate
The Howth Castle Estate gates open at 7 am for early golfers and walkers. Cookery classes and castle tour times vary from day to day. Please see Dublin Cookery Classes and Howth Castle Tours for more details on these.
Howth Castle opens for public tours at select times; tours must be booked in advance online. The castle is a private residence and is not open outside of tour times.
The grounds of Howth Castle Estate are open to the public. There is plenty to do and see, including our three public golf courses, cookery classes, castle tours and walks with historic sites. Castle tours, golf and cookery classes should all be booked online.
Howth Castle Estate can be easily reached by car, bus, or train from Dublin City Centre.
By Car:
From Dublin City Centre, head east on North Quays, continuing onto Amiens Street and along North Strand Road to Fairview. Continue straight along R105 coast road through Clontarf Road towards Sutton Cross and then straight on to Howth.
By Bus:
No.6 and H3 from Dublin City Centre
www.dublinbus.ie
By Dart (train):
30 minutes from Dublin City Centre, heading north to Howth.
www.irishrail.ie
Yes, parking is available directly across from the castle and also at Deer Park Golf (follow the driveway and you will find our car park on the right-hand side at the top.)
Dogs are welcome to accompany walkers on public walking trails. Dogs are not allowed in the castle, cookery school, castle gardens or golf course. Please keep dogs on leads at all times.
Yes
Activities at Howth Castle Estate include our three public golf courses, cookery school, castle tours, historic walking routes and seasonal events.
Each spring, there are guided tours of the rhododendron gardens whilst they are in bloom. The cookery school occasionally offers foraging tours also. Please sign up for our newsletter for more information.
Yes. Howth Castle Estate is a fantastic place for children and families looking for fun activities in Dublin. Along with the Howth Castle tours, children and families can enjoy the golf facilities, estate walks and Teen & Tween family cookery classes.
History & Architecture
Although originally built in 1235, the oldest surviving parts of Howth castle date from 1450. Much of the current building dates to the mid-18th century and, famously, further additions were made in 1910 and 1911 by renowned architect Sir Edwin Lutyens.
In 2019, the castle was sold by the Gaisford-St. Lawrence family to Tetrarch Captial
Yes, Howth Castle’s Historian in Residence Daniel Eglington-Carey leads the tours of Howth Castle.
Grace O’Malley is one of many famous names connected to Howth Castle. Legend has it that the infamous pirate queen visited Howth Castle in 1576 and caused a ruckus. Read more about it here.
Guided tours of the castle are seasonal and only run at select times. Please see available tour times here.
Yes, subject to availability. Please contact Daniel at info@howthcastle.ie or +353 86 047 0171.
Yes, please sign up for the Howth Castle Newsletter to receive event updates.
Cookery School & Golf Courses
Information about our Dublin cookery classes can be found here
Yes, Howth Castle Estate is home to Deerpark Golf, which has three public golf courses: an 18-hole course, 9-hole course and an 18-hole pitch and putt. Tee times can be found here.
Yes, more information is available here - Cookery School Vouchers and here - Golf Gift Vouchers
Events & Bookings
Yes, please contact us at info@howthcastle.ie for more information.
Yes, please contact us at info@howthcastle.ie for more information.
Accessibility & Facilities
Given the historic nature of the castle and grounds, those with impaired mobility may find access challenging.
Yes. There are toilets near the golf shop.
Yes. There is a privately run snack bar onsite.