Entire home

Charming Cottage In Beautiful Howth, 25 Minutes From Dublin City Center

Holiday home in Dublin with kitchen and balcony

Photo gallery for Charming Cottage In Beautiful Howth, 25 Minutes From Dublin City Center

Our house!
Looking down Balglass Road towards Howth village and Harbour
View from the front door
Living room
Kitchen, looking back toward the living room

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 492.9 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Fireplace
  • Washer
  • Parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

View map
  • Place, Howth Harbour
  • Place, Dublin Port
  • Place, Malahide Castle
  • Airport, Dublin (DUB)

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Charming Cottage In Beautiful Howth, 25 Minutes From Dublin City Center

WE WERE FULLY BOOKED IN SEPT AND OCT 2025, BUT SOME DATES HAVE JUST BECOME AVAILABLE.
Our charming 130-year old 2-bedroomed home, bright, welcoming and beautifully renovated, sits above the village of Howth, overlooking Howth Harbour and Ireland's Eye, the iconic island outside the harbor, just 9 miles from Dublin city center.

Howth is the scenic and recreational jewel of the Dublin area, sitting in a hilly peninsula on the north side of Dublin Bay with stunning views of the bay to the south and the coast line to the north. The harbor, with its two popular piers, includes a working fishing port as well as a large marina, and is an important sailing venue. The peninsula has a wide array of wonderful scenic walking paths over the hills and around the cliffs, and is popular with birdwatchers.

We believe that our house was built in or before 1895, but it has been extended and totally renovated, and includes all modern amenities. It is bright and fresh, with 2 bedrooms that can comfortably sleep 4 people, full bathroom, living room and a bright fully-fitted kitchen / dining room overlooking the garden. Total floor area is approx 1,000 sq ft. The garden includes a deck / patio and offers views of Howth Harbor and Ireland’s Eye. The front of the house has 2 parking spaces.

The house is 300 yards from Howth Village, including shops, church and bus service to the center of Dublin; 0.4 miles from Howth Harbour; 0.7 miles (12 minute walk) from the DART rapid transit rail station serving the center of Dublin and southern areas of the city; and 8.9 miles from Dublin city center.

Howth has 2 fine golf courses, numerous excellent restaurants, and the 15th century Howth Castle which includes its famed wild rhododendron gardens, which are open to the public in summer, and the National Transport Museum of Ireland. As can be expected in a fishing port, many of the restaurants are particularly noted for fine seafood. Howth also has several well-known pubs, including the Abbey Tavern, which is renowned nationally for Irish folk and traditional music, and is only 5 minutes’ walk from our house.

All this within 25 minutes of the center of Dublin!

If you wish to make a reservation, PLEASE tell us a bit about your trip, including who will be traveling with you, and what brings you to Ireland / Howth. Thank you!

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Outdoor space
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a deadlock

About the area

Dublin

Located by the ocean, this holiday home is in Howth, a neighbourhood in Dublin. Malahide Castle and Dublin Castle are notable landmarks, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Guinness Storehouse and Dublin Port. Check out an event or a game at Croke Park, and consider making time for Dublin Zoo, a top attraction not to be missed. Windsurfing and sailing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with cycling and horse riding nearby.
Map
Dublin 13, Fingal

What's nearby

  • Howth Harbour - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Howth Castle - 15 min walk - 1.3 km
  • Dublin Port - 30 min drive - 16.1 km
  • Malahide Castle - 32 min drive - 16.6 km
  • Aviva Stadium - 34 min drive - 19.2 km

Getting around

  • Dublin Howth Station - 13 min walk
  • Dublin Airport (DUB) - 29 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Bodega Coffee Co. - ‬12 min walk
  • ‪The Bloody Stream - ‬14 min walk
  • ‪King Sitric Seafood - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪Octopussy Seafood Tapas Bar - ‬15 min walk
  • ‪O'Connell's - ‬9 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Charming Cottage In Beautiful Howth, 25 Minutes From Dublin City Center pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Charming Cottage In Beautiful Howth, 25 Minutes From Dublin City Center?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Charming Cottage In Beautiful Howth, 25 Minutes From Dublin City Center?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Charming Cottage In Beautiful Howth, 25 Minutes From Dublin City Center located?

Located in Howth, this holiday home is within 1 mile (2 km) of Howth Harbour and Howth Castle. Ireland's Eye is 2.5 mi (4 km) away. Dublin Howth Station is 13 minutes by foot.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

9.8/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy
Rating 10 - Excellent. 165 out of 178 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 13 out of 178 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 178 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 178 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 178 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Mike R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a wonderful time in Howth. This is a great apartment situated in a great location. Getting to the apartment was easy and the check in straight forward. The host was very helpful and provided good information for the stay.Howth is a wonderful town, lots to see and enjoy, some great fish restaurants on the harbour side. Transport into Dublin is quick, reliable and cheap. Would definitely stay there again.
Stayed 9 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brian O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We stayed at this lovely property for 4 days. It's a beautiful community. The train station is about a 15 minute walk. It's downhill to the station but uphill on the way back. One of the bus stops is just a couple of blocks away but we never used it. Taxis come from Dublin and were readily available with a quick call. Our hosts provided us with a lot of information. The cliff walks were amazing. There's plenty of markets, pubs, and restaurants within walking distance. Would definitely stay here again!!!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mary D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful experience in Howth

My husband and I spent a month in this Howth cottage. We loved living like locals. The cottage is perfectly located; we didn’t have a car and walked everywhere. Orla, the property manager, tended to the few small problems promptly and was kind and welcoming. The house was comfortable, bright and cheerful. This was a wonderful experience!!
Stayed 29 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Gaby S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful Place Ideal Location

Our stay at this remarkable place was truly delightful, and we were enchanted by its fantastic location. The combination of a fantastic accommodation and an ideal setting made our experience truly memorable.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

emily s.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great house in a fabulous location

This was a really great house - much nicer than looks in the photos. We had a great stay here with everything we could possibly need and Howth village just a short walk away. Definitely recommend!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Catherine K., LA Quinta, CA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Very comfortable house in a great location.

I reached out to Peter a couple of times with questions and he was immediately responsive. We really enjoyed the house and its location, not to mention the super comfortable beds.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Nicola F.

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely cottage in a great village

All great with the cottage, well appointed.lovely area, great for walks. Saw seals in the harbour.All my communication issues were due to me misspelling my email address initially on my booking. What was disappointing was that VRBO didn’t manage to correct this on all lines of communication even after many phone calls, I didn’t receive checking in information, which was rather stressful. But that was no fault of the cottage owner or caretaker who were helpful and lovely when I finally managed to contact them. So, please make sure all your contact details are correct at the time of booking. It was also an ideal location for the concert at Malahide Castle we Attended.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mary Ann S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxing Respite

Beautiful seaside town. 25 minute train ride to Dublin. Best of both. So nice to return to a relaxing place after a day of adventures.
Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Italy meets Ireland

Our daughter is studying in Florence, Italy this semester so we met her in Ireland! Our trip exceeded expectations! The only thing we couldn’t find was a hairdryer which I thought I read somewhere was included. No worries, we just went natural for a few days!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

John A., Seaside, Oregon

Perfect for us

We loved staying in this lovely cottage. Nicely remodeled with everything we needed. Nice view from the outside deck. Close enough to town, with a bit of of a steep walk. Very clean, and everything in working order. Nice inside and out.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Cheryl G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Better Than I Expected

The property was wonderful and the owners did an incredible job making sure I could safely and smartly enjoy my time at Howth. Will definitely be back!! Such a memorable time. Ireland Forever!!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Connie G., Vancouver, WA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fabulous place!

Perfect location for time in howth or area. Restaurants, shops and activities within walking distance. House is great, clean, roomy and host sent fantastic booklet on how to operate everything and places to visit, where to eat. Our stay was the best time of our life, and the house and Howth were both spectacular. I loved having coffee at the house, walking to breakfast, doing all the fun things, and having a home base. We highly recommend this place! Our hosts were great!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tom M.

8 - 12 August 2018

My wife and I brought our two grand daughters for a short break to Howth. We really enjoyed staying in this bright, spotless well equipped and homely property and the girls particularly liked playing in the safe and secure back garden. We have stayed many times in the Howth/Malahide area and this occasion will be well remembered for our experience in this lovely accommodation.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Maurice O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A slice of heaven

This was a sentimental journey for us as the house once belonged to my Aunt & Uncle. I hadn’t set foot inside since 1990 but the cottage still has the same charm and fantastic views. Peter and Jane have made outstanding renovations and we just loved every minute of our stay. Would highly recommend to anyone looking for something close to Dublin (about 30 minutes by Dart train) but also wanted a taste of Irish village life.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2022
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Elisabeth H.

Perfect

A wonderful location for a holiday with pubs and shops just a few minutes walk away and the habour with restaurants and fresh fish within a 15 minute walk. You can reach the center of Dublin in about 30 minutes. Everything that was needed for a self catering holiday was in the house. The size and comfort of the bed was perfect an I slept better than at home. The information we got from Peter and Jane were very useful, though we didn't miss anything. I would definitely recommend this house!

10/10 Excellent

Karen D., Mansfield Depot

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

definite return destination

I could imagine staying here for say..3 months and taking more time exploring each and every nook and cranny of this lovely part of Ireland. Walking down to the pier, picking out a superbly fresh fish and taking it back, and putting it in a pan to cook. (We actually did this. Felt so virtuous. the weather at the beginning of June was spectacular. Only got wet once! And I got to meet the resident harbor seal. I named him whiskers. A definite place to return to.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2022
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Mrs S & Mr P W.

Superb

The description was accurate, the property clean and well maintained. Minor shortcomings such as broken stoppers in sink and bathroom washbasin easily overcome with tinfoil, and we managed with just one microwave bowl, but plenty of pots and pans etc. Extremely comfortable beds, seating etc. Superb location, wonderful, quirky, views from house and patio to the coast and off shore islands, which autumn sunshine allowed us (and friends who dropped in for coffee) to enjoy to the full. Good transport links to central Dublin after 20 mins moderate walk. Wonderful choice of seafood shops and restaurants in Howth- which is a charming old-world port to explore. We would love to go back again,

10/10 Excellent

Donna M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

First Time in Ireland and found a diamond in the rough with this amazing VRBO!

Everything was absolutely fantastic with this charming property. From the very start of reserving, chatting with the owners through VRBO messenger, to the last close of the door when leaving it was wonderful. The owners provide such detailed information and are so accommodating. There is plenty of space, the beds were so comfy, huge bonus having a dryer, the walk to town is not bad at all, the walk up the hill got us in shape and burned calories from the delicious fish and chips. We walked to the train station every day to get into Dublin City Center for our tours and it was easily walkable, took about 20 minutes to walk there. If on a scale from 1-10, 10 is best, this property and the property owners get a 100!!!! Thanks for a wonderful first trip to Ireland and your property is charming, spacious, conveniently located, well stocked, and beautiful!
Stayed 6 nights in May 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Michelle Sue W.

Enjoyed our time in Howth

Hi Peter. Just wanted to write and let you know that we really enjoyed our stay in your cottage last week. We decided not to rent a car which was easy enough for us--we rode on the train and buses. Would definitely recommend taking a taxi out though. We got talked out of it at the tourism office in the airport and got some good exercise going up the hill with our bags as a result! :) The people of Howth were super helpful and friendly. We did the hike along the cliffs and saw both lighthouses. We also went to The Summit Inn which was a great recommendation and The House which was great too. We got to see several beautiful things in Dublin as well--St Patrick's Cathedral, Christ Church, Dublinia, Merrion Square Park, Malahide Castle and Gardens. We even went on a day trip to the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren National Park. It was a great holiday and one we won't forget for a long time. Thanks!

10/10 Excellent

Patti W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Piece of paradise

Thank you, Peter and Janet, for sharing your piece of paradise. As soon as we walked in the door, we felt at home. The kitchen and living room are so open and inviting. The kitchen is bright with lots of windows and is fully equipped - nice modern appliances. The couch is very comfortable and there's a large screen TV. Both bedrooms are large and comfortable with great storage. The bathroom has a great shower and hot water was always available. The back garden deck offers a great view of the church and harbour beyond and is surrounded by pretty plants and bushes. Very detailed info is provided about operating the various electrical and heating elements, which all worked perfectly. The local Centra and the Country Market are a 5 minute walk away and provide a large variety of choices for food, beverages and various household needs. Best part of the property? The relaxed feeling of serenity when you return from your adventures in Howth and surrounding areas. Whether exploring the harbour or cliffs, we found ourselves returning to the house thruout the day for a quick recharge before heading back out to enjoy the great shops, restaurants and pubs in Howth, all within walking distance. Having the DART station so close made it easy for us to visit Dublin and Dun Laoghaire and St. Anne's Park. We will definitely be returning to this property!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2022

8/10 Good

Graham M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect location & excellent hosts

My family had the pleasure of staying at Peter & Jane's property for a full month, and are glad we chose this location! Highlights: - LOCATION was outstanding; a highly sought after suburb of Dublin, yet (thankfully) a few blocks away from the touristy Harbour Road. We made great use of the local library, grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, ice cream shops, etc. For our son there were amazing playgrounds (e.g. St Anne's, Malahide Castle, St Stephen's Green, etc) within a short drive, and we made sure enjoyed the Howth Cliff Walk and Balscadden Bay beach. We rented a car for the full month though still made use of DART on various occasions due to its convenience. - HOSTS were available & helpful throughout the experience. Thank you Peter & Jane as well as the property manager (Vernoica) for quick responses, and for the very detailed Welcome package. - AMENITIES worked out great for the length of our stay (1 month), as it was our goal to "settle in" which meant making a lot of use of the kitchen, laundry, and so on. We had some challenges with the effectiveness of the dryer however Peter already has a plan to get it improved. The beds were comfy, the TV & Wifi worked fine, and the place felt quite safe & secure. On a side-note, many of the photos of the listing are out-of-date (at the time of this review) e.g. the backyard, and some of the interior furniture. Not an issue in any way though still would be good to have the latest & greatest reflected in the photos.
Stayed 28 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
My husband and I traveled to Dublin and we were lucky to find this gem of a place to stay at not too far from city center. Everything was clean and tidy. Our hosts were great communicators, the property manager was always available and prompt to respond to questions. Bed was comfortable, shower pressure excellent. Whole place was comfy and cozy! Town of Howth is a short walk from cottage. There are so many friendly people, and the cottage is an a historic location. Make sure to review the handbook that is provided - lots of helpful information. We highly recommend this cottage and would love to come back again!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Patricia E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
It was a lovely , clean and comfortable home. Laundry was a bit of an issue . Maybe the handbook could be left on the premises for easy access. I would recommend this stay and I would stay again.
Stayed 10 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

David H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful site for exploring Howth. It is just far enough away from the busy tourist zone to avoid the noise while still being walking distance to pubs, restaurants and hiking trails. Amenities (groceries, etc) are all nearby.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Fiona B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This cottage is adorable and so quaint and perfect. It is exactly as you would think for such a sweet little town. The garden has a lovely sitting area with a spectacular view. There is a wooden fence around it as well. The street is so nice with lots of cute houses, pubs and even more views. I could literally go on and on! I've added some pictures I took while walking.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2025

About the host

Hosted by Peter and Jane Ahern

Host profile image
We are Peter and Jane Ahern. We both grew up and were educated in Ireland. We met when we both worked for the Irish government’s Industrial Development Authority (IDA Ireland), and got married in Dublin. Soon after that, we moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where we have lived for many winters! Our two children live and work in the Cleveland area but, from numerous visits though their lifetimes, they both know every inch of the Howth peninsula!

Why they chose this property

Jane grew up on the Howth peninsula and her mother and brothers still live there. Over our years in the US we have spent many wonderful vacations there with family and friends, enjoying the spectacular scenery and great social life. It was our dream to find a house in Howth, and when we learned that this wonderful house was for sale in 2003, Peter made a quick trip to Ireland and, after a few quick phone calls with Jane back in Cleveland, immediately bought it. It was perfect!

What makes this property unique

Our Irish home is full of character, over 120 years old but with every modern amenity, in a quiet street, but still within a short walk of all of the attractions of Howth Village and Howth Harbour with their restaurants, pubs, Yacht Club, shops, pier walks and marina.

Languages:

English

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