Ben Eadir, or Howth, is a peninsular which forms the northern side of Dublin Bay and goes back to the mists of time, to the era of the Firbolg and the Tutha de Dennan.  In the Rhododendron Garden of Howth Castle is a Cromlech dating back to around 2500 BC.

The name Ben Eadir is thought to come from a Tutha de Dennan chief Edar, son of Edgarth and brother of Breagh, whose name is given to another headland just south of Dublin Bay.

The name could also derive from Ben-na-Dair meaning Hill of the Oaks.

According to the “Annals of the Four Masters” the Milesian chief Suigre erected a fortress on Ben Eadir about 1,300 BC.

It is thought that “Edri Deserta” shown on Ptolemy’s 2nd century map of Eblana (Ireland) indicates Howth and that it’s existence was known to the Phoenicians.

St. Nessan’s church was built on Irelands Eye (1 mile north of Howth) around 570 AD and continued until the 13th century whence it transferred to St. Mary’s Abbey on Howth.

A copy of the four Gospels known as the “Garland of Howth” was penned on Irelands Eye.  The work is preserved in Trinity College Dublin and is considered to be one of Ireland’s historic treasurers.

The Vikings landed at Lambay Island (about 4 miles north of Howth) around 795 AD and the name Howth derives from the Norse Hoved meaning head or headland.

In 1177 Amoricus Tristrim and John de Courcey arrived off Howth and defeated the locals at the Battle of Evora after which the St Lawrence’s became established as Lords of Howth a tenure that continues to the present day.

During the 14th century Howth became established as a port but during the 16th century Howth based pirates caused some trouble.

During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I a wooden quay was built “to facilitate passenger and mercantile traffic”.

In 1803 three Martello Towers were built, one on Ireland’s Eye, one at Howth and one at Sutton.  These tied in with others at Donabate and Portmarmock to the north and Sandymount, Monkstown and Dalkey Island to the south.

Plans to build a proper harbour at Howth started around 1800, but due to various difficulties it was not until 1818 that Howth opened as the mail packet station for Dublin.  This continued until 1834 when the Post Master General transferred the mail packet service to Kingstown (now Dun Laoighaire).  The Port and Docks Board established a life boat at Howth in 1816 and handed it over to the RNLI in 1862.  It continues today with an All weather lifeboat and an inshore lifeboat and is a very busy station.

In the 1980’s a major redevelopment was undertaken creating a fisheries harbour to the western side of the harbour. The remaining area contains a marina and an area of swinging moorings.

On Sunday, the 26th July, 1914, the 51ft gaff ketch Asgard landed 900 Mauser rifles and ammunition for the Irish volunteers at the Nib, near the Lighthouse on the East Pier. She had picked up the guns from the tug Gladiator off the Belgium coast. A plaque near the Lighthouse commerates the events. (It is interesting to note that each volunteer had to pay for their own rifle by monthly deductions).

Today Howth Harbour is surrounded by many restaurants and at weekends is packed with visitors.  Dublin is a bus or Dart (train) ride away.