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Sutton Martello TowerSutton Martello Tower · Photo: John O'Beirne · CC0
94buildings on the National Inventory
History of Howth · National Inventory of Architectural Heritage

Howth: 94 buildings on the National Inventory, the oldest from 1000

Howth has kept more old homes than most towns: 14% were built before 1919, against 3.4% in the typical town. The National Inventory of Architectural Heritage records 94 buildings in Howth, 15 of them of national importance. Per 10,000 residents that makes 115; the typical town has 48. Inside the town, the Sites and Monuments Record lists 35 archaeological sites.

15of national importance1000oldest record35archaeological sites
On the National Inventory
94
115 per 10,000 residents
typical town: 48
Of national importance
15
NIAH National or International, and national monuments
Archaeological sites
35
Sites and Monuments Record
Oldest building
1000
the first date on its record
Homes built before 1919
14%
typical town: 3.4%
In pictures

Then and today: Howth in 21 photos and 4 old views

There are photos of 19 of Howth’s recorded places so far. The oldest view of Howth dates from 1880, the latest old one from 1905. Among Howth’s top-rated places, 5 are pictured.

Howth Martello TowerHowth Martello TowerNational rating (NIAH)Howth CastleHowth Castle (castle / fortified house)National rating (NIAH)Howth Harbour LighthouseHowth Harbour LighthouseNational rating (NIAH)Saint Mary's AbbeySaint Mary's AbbeyNational rating (NIAH)Ireland's Eye Martello TowerIreland's Eye Martello TowerNational rating (NIAH)+16See all photos

Photos from Wikimedia Commons, copied to our own server, each credited to its photographer with its licence; names open the place’s page. Tap a photo to step through them full screen.

Through time

Howth from 1880 to 1905

4 old photographs, in date order. All made before 1950.

Howth Harbour and Irelands Eyec. 1880
VictorianHowth Harbour and Irelands EyePhoto: National Library of Ireland · No known copyright restrictions; made by 1925
The Abbey on the Viking's Head1865–1914
VictorianThe Abbey on the Viking's HeadPhoto: Robert French / National Library of Ireland · No known copyright restrictions; photographer died 1917
Beached - or gone for a pint in Costelloe's?c. 1890
VictorianBeached - or gone for a pint in Costelloe's?Photo: National Library of Ireland · No known copyright restrictions; made by 1925
Howth-on-Sea circa 1905c. 1905
EdwardianHowth-on-Sea circa 1905Public domain

From Wikimedia Commons, copied to our own server: public domain, or from the National Library of Ireland’s collections (Lawrence, Poole, Eason and others) with no known copyright restrictions. Each credit opens the image’s page.

How old

Most of Howth’s dated buildings come from the 19th century

Each building by the first date on its record.

Middle Ages 500–14994
1500–1799 three centuries7
19th century 1800–189967
1900 and later to today16

11 of the 94 dated ones were built before 1800. The oldest is Saint Mary's Abbey, from 1000.

The map

Where Howth’s history is

Every building and site on the record inside the town, by its rating.

Aideen’s Grave · Archaeological monument (SMR)Aisling · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1935–1940Ashford House · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1875–1895Baily Lighthouse · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1810–1820Baily Lighthouse (store / warehouse) · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1880–1920Beachfield and Beachfield House · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1840–1850Bell tower, Howth Catholic Church · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1800–1860Bellevue House · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1850–1900Blackberry Hill · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1910–1920Boathouse, West Pier, Howth · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1860–1880Bracken Hall · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1920–1940Building misc, West Pier, Howth · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1860–1880Burrow National School · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1840–1860Catholic Church of the Assumption · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1890–1900Clubhouse, 1 West Pier, Howth · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1870–1890Coastguard station, 1-8 Martello Terrace, Sutton Strand · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1840–1860Corr Castle · Archaeological monument (SMR)Croxteth · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1890–1910Demesne walls, Howth Castle · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1820–1850Dovecote, Howth Castle · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1725–1775Drynan Lodge · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1900–1920Eskeragh · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1910–1930Gilmoss · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1890–1910Glenaveena House · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1855–1865Graveyard, Carrickbrack Road · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1880–1900Harbour House · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1850–1870House, 10 West Pier, Howth · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1860–1880House, 11-12 Station Road, Sutton · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1825–1875House, 14 Main Street, Howth · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1890–1910House, 15 Main Street, Tuckett's Lane, Howth · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1900–1910House, 17-18 Church Street, Howth · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1780–1820House, 18 Abbey Street, Howth · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1840–1860House, 19-20 Abbey Street, Howth · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1800–1840House, 22-25A Strand Road, Sutton · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1800–1830House, 27 Abbey Street, Howth · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1840–1860House, 3-4 Nashville Terrace, Nashville Park, Howth · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1880–1900House, 4 Main Street, Howth · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1810–1830House, 4-6 Station Road, Sutton · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1850–1900House, 9 Abbey Street, Howth · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1830–1850House, 9-14 Nashville Park, Howth · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1870–1890Howth Catholic Church · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1800–1840Howth Courthouse · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1865–1870Howth Garda Síochána Station · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1890–1910Howth Harbour Mission Hall · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1840–1860Howth National School · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1890–1910Howth Presbyterian Church · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1895–1905Howth Public Library · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1920–1940Howth Railway Station (station master's house) · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1860–1880Howth Railway Station · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1845–1865Kilrock House (gate lodge) · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1860–1880Kilrock House · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1860–1880Lighthouse keeper's house, 1-2 Bailey Cottages · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1840–1880Magazine, West Pier, Howth · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1860–1880Manse, Howth Presbyterian Church · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1895–1925Post box, Carrickbrack Road · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1900–1910Post box, Thormanby Road · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1900–1910Rails (section of), West Pier, Howth · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1930–1950Reverend James Gaffney Monument · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1870–1880Royal Hotel · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1780–1820Saffron House · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1860–1900Saint Columbanus Hall · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1850–1855Saint Fintan's Cemetery · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1905–2000Saint Lawrence Hotel · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1820–1860Saint Lawrence Lodge · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1840–1850Saint Mary's Church (Howth) · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1860–1870Saint Michael's · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1840–1850Santa Sabina · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1840–1860Sealawn · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1820–1840Shearwater · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1900–1930Slieverue · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1875–1905Somerlyton · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1850–1900Station House · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1880–1900Store, 53 Harbour Road, Howth · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1850–1870Sutton Castle · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1890–1900Sutton Methodist Church · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1900–1905Sutton Railway Station (station master's house) · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1860–1880Sutton Railway Station · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1840–1850Sutton South · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1945–1950The Abbey Tavern · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1840–1860The Cliffs · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1840–1880Viaduct, Howth Road, Howth · Regional rating (NIAH) · 1850–1890Country house, Howth Castle · National rating (NIAH) · 1800–1850Howth Castle (castle / fortified house) · National rating (NIAH) · 1350–1450Howth Castle (castle / fortified house) · National rating (NIAH) · 1350–1450Howth Castle (castle / fortified house) · National rating (NIAH) · 1600–1700Howth Castle (castle / fortified house) · National rating (NIAH) · 1905–1915Howth Castle (castle / fortified house) · National rating (NIAH) · 1905–1910Howth Castle (castle / fortified house) · National rating (NIAH) · 1500–1550Howth Castle (castle / fortified house) · National rating (NIAH) · 1500–1550Howth Castle (castle / fortified house) · National rating (NIAH) · 1400–1500Howth Castle (castle / fortified house) · National rating (NIAH) · 1735–1740Howth Harbour Lighthouse · National rating (NIAH) · 1815–1820Howth Martello Tower · National rating (NIAH) · 1800–1810Saint Mary's Abbey · National rating (NIAH) · 1000–1100Stables, Howth Castle · National rating (NIAH) · 1835–1845Sutton Martello Tower · National rating (NIAH) · 1800–1810
National and InternationalRegional and other sites400 m from Country house, Howth Castle
11 of 15within 400 m of Country house, Howth Castle, the heart of the town’s history

Hover a dot for its name; tap one to open its page.

The 96, by rating
15 National and International81 Regional and other sites

The National Inventory of Architectural Heritage is the State’s survey of buildings from 1700 to today, county by county; each record gives a rating, dates, a type and an appraisal. Being on it is not legal protection: that is each council’s Record of Protected Structures.

Points from the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage and the Sites and Monuments Record, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (CC BY 4.0).

National and International

15 places of national importance in Howth

Buildings the National Inventory rates National or International: of significance across Ireland or beyond. Each one opens its own page.

Regional and other sites

81 more historic places in Howth

Buildings rated Regional, of significance in their region, and archaeological monuments with an encyclopedia article.

All 55, A to Z
Aideen’s GraveAislingAshford HouseBaily LighthouseBaily Lighthouse (store / warehouse)Beachfield and Beachfield HouseBell tower, Howth Catholic ChurchBellevue HouseBlackberry HillBracken HallBurrow National SchoolCatholic Church of the AssumptionCorr CastleCroxtethDemesne walls, Howth CastleDovecote, Howth CastleDrynan LodgeEskeraghGilmossGlenaveena HouseHarbour HouseHowth Catholic ChurchHowth CourthouseHowth Garda Síochána StationHowth Harbour Mission HallHowth National SchoolHowth Presbyterian ChurchHowth Public LibraryHowth Railway StationHowth Railway Station (station master's house)Kilrock HouseKilrock House (gate lodge)Manse, Howth Presbyterian ChurchReverend James Gaffney MonumentRoyal HotelSaffron HouseSaint Columbanus HallSaint Fintan's CemeterySaint Lawrence HotelSaint Lawrence LodgeSaint Mary's Church (Howth)Saint Michael'sSanta SabinaSealawnShearwaterSlieverueSomerlytonStation HouseSutton CastleSutton Methodist ChurchSutton Railway StationSutton Railway Station (station master's house)Sutton SouthThe Abbey TavernThe Cliffs

26 recorded by their type and address

26 are recorded only by their type and address: 18 homes, 4 other buildings and 2 street furniture; most date from the 19th century.

18th century3
19th century22
20th century1

See all 26 on the map

Historic streets

Howth Road has the most

Streets with three or more buildings on the record, by the address it gives.

Howth Road21 on the record · 11 of national importance
Station Road10 on the record
Carrickbrack Road7 on the record
Main Street6 on the record
Abbey Street6 on the record · 1 of national importance
Church Street4 on the record · 1 of national importance
Thormanby Road4 on the record
Harbour Road4 on the record

Of the 96 records, 76 give a street address.

What’s recorded

Howth’s record leans to homes: 65%

Counted by type, Howth’s record runs to 10 kinds of building. Second on the record: churches and chapels, 9 of them. Two of the highest-rated records are Saint Mary's Abbey and Howth Castle.

Homes61
Churches and chapels9
Public buildings6
Mills, stations and works3
Inns, shops and warehouses3
Street furniture2
Walls, gates and bridges1
Memorials and tombs1
Farm and estate buildings1
Other buildings7

Types as the National Inventory records them, grouped; a building keeps the type it was built as.

Archaeology and around

Archaeology in Howth

The Sites and Monuments Record lists every known archaeological site; most are field monuments with little to see. By kind:

35 archaeological sites inside the town

Sites on the Record of Monuments and Places, the statutory list drawn from this record, are protected by law: anyone planning work at or near one must give the National Monuments Service two months’ notice.

Cairn - unclassified4 records
Castle - tower house2 records
Church2 records
Ritual site - holy well2 records
Graveslab2 records
Graveyard2 records
Martello tower2 records
Midden1 record
Chapel1 record
Gatehouse1 record
Armorial plaque (present location)1 record
Cist1 record
Tomb - effigial1 record
House - fortified house1 record
Ecclesiastical enclosure1 record
11 more kinds11 records

Just outside Howth: 7

Ireland's Eye Martello TowerNational rating (NIAH) · 1.6 km outside the town
Howth Lodge HotelRegional rating (NIAH) · 100 m outside the town
SeaviewRegional rating (NIAH) · 100 m outside the town
CaramoreRegional rating (NIAH) · 100 m outside the town
Harbour, HowthRegional rating (NIAH) · 100 m outside the town
Worker's house, 53 Howth Road, HowthRegional rating (NIAH) · 100 m outside the town
Post box, Station Road, SuttonRegional rating (NIAH) · 100 m outside the town
Homes by age

46% of Howth’s homes were built from 1946 to 1980

From 2011 on, Howth built only 4.3% of its homes; the typical town built 5.8%. Homes built in the 2000s make up just 7.8% of Howth’s, against 25% in the typical town. 8.5% of Howth’s homes were built between the wars, more than the typical town’s 3.9%.

14%
Before 1919
8.5%
1919–45
46%
1946–80
20%
1981–2000
7.8%
2001–10
4.3%
Since 2011
HowthTypical town

Census 2022, households by the year their home was built (CSO, Small Area Population Statistics, CC BY 4.0); the typical town is the middle Irish town of 2,500 or more.

Neighbours

Howth and its neighbours

TownPeopleNational InventoryNationalArchaeological sites
Howth8,192941535
Sutton5,789304
Baldoyle7,864903
Raheny8,7341906
Clongriffin7,438106
Donaghmede9,616303
Portmarnock10,7508138
In brief

Howth in brief

The record in Howth starts with Saint Mary's Abbey, which dates from 1000. In all there are 96 places on the record, 15 of them in the top tier, including Saint Mary's Abbey. Its housing is old: 14% of homes date from before 1919, against 3.4% in the typical town. Per resident, it has more recorded buildings than 76% of Irish towns of 2,500 or more.

Its places of national importance cluster together: 11 of them stand within 400 m of Country house, Howth Castle. Howth Road alone has 21 places on the record. Most entries on the list, 65%, are homes. The rest is about typical: it has 94 recorded buildings, about typical for a town its size (the middle one has 86).

How to read these numbers

What this data can and can’t tell you

  • The National Inventory. The State’s survey of post-1700 buildings, made county by county since 1990 (NIAH); a few records are older. It records; it does not protect.
  • Ratings. International and National: of significance across Ireland or beyond. Regional: in its region. Local and record-only buildings get no page here.
  • Archaeology. The Sites and Monuments Record (National Monuments Service) lists known archaeological sites; the national monuments to visit and the sites with an encyclopedia article get pages here.
  • Protection. Both registers are surveys, not protection: a building is protected by its council’s Record of Protected Structures, and no national open list joins the 31 councils’ records.
  • The grade. Ireland’s History grade is not built yet: the page describes, and gives no grade.

Questions about Howth’s history

How many historic buildings are recorded in Howth?

94 buildings on the National Inventory, 15 of them of national importance, from the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage.

Which places in Howth are of national importance?

Saint Mary's Abbey, Howth Castle (castle / fortified house), Howth Castle (castle / fortified house), Howth Castle (castle / fortified house), Howth Castle (castle / fortified house) and Howth Castle (castle / fortified house), and 9 more.

What is the oldest building in Howth?

Saint Mary's Abbey: the first date on its record is 1000.

Are there archaeological sites in Howth?

Yes: the Sites and Monuments Record lists 35 archaeological sites inside Howth.

How old are the homes in Howth?

14% of its homes were built before 1919, against 3.4% in the typical town.

Are the buildings on this page protected?

Being on the National Inventory or the Sites and Monuments Record is a record, not protection by itself: buildings are protected by their council’s Record of Protected Structures, which each council keeps and no national open list gathers, so this page can’t say which are on it.

This page describes its history; it gives no grade.

Source: National Inventory of Architectural Heritage and Sites and Monuments Record, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0).

Sources: National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (buildingsofireland.ie) · Sites and Monuments Record and the National Monuments Service’s monuments to visit · CSO Census 2022 (homes by the year built) · Photos: Wikimedia Commons, including the National Library of Ireland’s collections, each credited with its licence and copied to our own server · Wikidata (CC0) for other names and articles. Under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0).

Contains Central Statistics Office (CSO) data, Census 2022, and Tailte Éireann boundaries (CSO Urban Areas, Small Areas, local electoral areas, constituencies), under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0).