A ten-minute sail to a seabird colony, ruined church, and North Dublin's last uninhabited shore
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2 hr
Cross the Irish Sea to an uninhabited bird sanctuary with a family-operated ferry service dating back decades
Reserve
50 min
Cruise along Dublin's stunning coastline from a charming fishing harbor, spotting wildlife and sea caves
Reserve
50 min
Sail past dramatic cliffs and wildlife-rich islands while learning about Dublin Bay's natural heritage
ReservePrices from verified partners. Availability updates in real time at checkout. Free cancellation policies apply where shown.
The landmarks, rooms, and views travelers on Ireland's Eye Ferry tours remember — all visible on a single visit.
A towering sea stack located on the northeastern corner, famous for its dense seabird colonies and sheer vertical cliffs.
Martello Tower
Ruined Church
Every Ireland's Eye Ferry tour side-by-side — duration, what's included, how you redeem.
| Experience | Duration | Rating | Guide | Free cancel. | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Standard Entry Most popular
Howth to Ireland's Eye Island Ferry Crossing
|
2 hr | ★ 4.6 | — | ✓ | €30 | Book → |
|
Standard Entry
Howth Coastal Boat Experience
|
50 min | ★ 4.7 | ✓ | ✓ | €25 | Book → |
|
Standard Entry
Ireland's Eye & Howth Coastline Boat Cruise
|
50 min | ★ 4.4 | ✓ | ✓ | €25 | Book → |
All prices from verified partners. Availability and exact terms confirmed at checkout.
They complement each other, yet most visitors who prioritize active exploration choose the ireland's eye ferry for its unique ability to drop passengers directly onto the rugged terrain. Those preferring a relaxed pace often select coastal sightseeing cruises to observe the Dublin landmarks from the water.
| Feature | Top pick Ireland's Eye Ferry | Coastal Cruises |
|---|---|---|
Access to Island |
Landing access included | No landing access |
Ability to Explore |
Full pedestrian freedom | Limited to boat deck |
Duration |
Flexible exploration time | Fixed cruise duration |
Interaction with Wildlife |
Close-up bird nesting view | Distant observation only |
Price |
30 EUR (summer) | 20–25 EUR (summer) |
| See tickets → |
Verdict: Securing your ireland's eye ferry tickets provides the only way to hike the island, while coastal sightseeing trips remain ideal for those seeking a guided sea-based perspective of these Howth landmarks.
Choose your ticket, select your date, and reserve in under two minutes. Secure checkout handled by our verified partner.
Instant confirmation by email, with a mobile voucher you can save offline. No printing, no queuing at a collection desk.
Arrive at the entrance, show your voucher on your phone, and walk in. Most tickets include priority or skip-the-line access.
Practical details for Ireland's Eye Ferry tickets straight from our verified partners — hours, access, rules, and how to get there.
West Pier, Howth Harbour
Located opposite Aqua Restaurant
Open in Google MapsTake the DART from Dublin city centre to Howth Station, then walk 5 minutes to the West Pier.
Sturdy, non-slip footwear is required due to the uneven, natural rock terrain on the island. Layers are recommended as sea winds can be chilly even in summer.
Travel light, as you will be boarding a small boat. There is no secure facility to store bags at the West Pier meeting point for the Ireland's Eye ferry.
The island provides excellent opportunities for wildlife photography, particularly during the puffin nesting season. Please maintain a respectful distance from bird colonies to avoid disturbing them.
Landing on the island involves climbing steep steps carved directly into the rock face. This is not suitable for those with limited mobility or wheelchair users.
Mobile signal is extremely limited or non-existent on the island. Use this as an opportunity to enjoy the natural environment during your Ireland's Eye ferry trip.
The Ireland's Eye ferry is suitable for all ages, and buggies can be brought on board. Children must be supervised at all times due to the rugged nature of the island.
There are no facilities, shops, or toilets on the island. Please bring all necessary water and food with you and carry all waste back to the mainland.
Well-behaved dogs are welcome on board the boat if kept on a lead at all times. They must be able to navigate the steep landing steps if you choose to disembark.
The island is a protected conservation area for seabirds. Please stay on marked paths to protect ground-nesting populations.
Best time to go, insider tips, nearby landmarks, and the cancellation fine print — flip through to skim what matters to you.
How crowds, weather, and events shift across the year.
Puffins arrive for nesting season in April, providing excellent viewing opportunities.
Small details that turn a good visit into a great one.
Check the Ireland's Eye ferry operator website before heading to the pier, as high winds can lead to cancellations.
Non-bookable sights within a short walk — free to visit, easy to pair.
A scenic trail offering panoramic views of the Irish Sea and the peninsula.
Flexible, no hidden fees.
Full refunds are available for cancellations made at least 24 hours in advance. If weather conditions prevent the Ireland's Eye ferry from sailing, tickets can be rescheduled or refunded.
Hand-picked options within walking distance — pick a district for vibe, or a specific hotel for convenience.
Various guesthouses and boutique stays located near the harbour front.
The rocky outcrop visible from Howth Harbour has sheltered no permanent residents since 1832, when the lighthouse keepers left for the mainland.
Ireland's Eye — Inis Mac Neasáin in Irish, named for the sons of Neasán — rises 69 metres above the Dublin Bay shipping lanes, its cliffs now home to 20,000 breeding seabirds rather than the monks who once tended barley fields and copied manuscripts in its stone church.
The island's eastern face, a vertical slab known as The Stack, hosts one of Ireland's largest gannet colonies. Between April and September, the white bodies and black-tipped wings form a shifting mosaic against grey basalt. Kittiwakes nest on narrower ledges. Guillemots and razorbills occupy the lower tiers, their eggs laid directly on bare rock without nests. The cacophony reaches 90 decibels during June feeding frenzies, when adult birds make hourly crossings to the Lambay fishing grounds and back.
The ruins of an eighth-century monastic settlement occupy the island's gentler southern slope. A stone church with intact gable walls stands within a circular enclosure — the vallum typical of early Irish foundations. Three carved slabs inside the nave bear interlaced patterns and a crude human figure, likely grave markers for abbots or wealthy patrons. The community survived Viking raids but declined after the Norman invasion redistributed church lands. By 1300, the site was abandoned.
The Martello tower on the western shore was built in 1804, one of sixteen coastal defences erected when Napoleon's fleet threatened Irish waters. Its thick walls and elevated gun platform never saw combat. The British garrison withdrew in 1815. The structure was adapted as a lighthouse keeper's residence in 1819, then decommissioned when the Bailey Lighthouse on Howth Head made the island light redundant. Graffiti inside the tower dates to 1847, carved by stonemasons repairing storm damage.
Today, the island forms part of a Special Protection Area under EU conservation law. Landing is permitted, but visitors must remain on marked paths to avoid disturbing ground-nesting terns. The Ireland's Eye ferry service from Howth's West Pier operates daily sailings during daylight hours, weather permitting. The crossing takes ten minutes. Return trips run until 17:00, with the final departure timed to reach Howth Harbour before the harbour office closes.
"The cacophony reaches 90 decibels during June feeding frenzies, when adult birds make hourly crossings to the Lambay fishing grounds and back."
A step-by-step walkthrough of Ireland's Eye Ferry tickets — what you'll see, how long each stage takes, and the details that matter.
You board at Howth's West Pier, where the small ferry idles beside fishing trawlers offloading morning catches. The crossing to Ireland's Eye takes ten minutes, cutting northeast across water that shifts from harbour-green to open-bay blue. Gannets patrol overhead. The engine noise drowns conversation.
You step onto a narrow concrete slipway on the island's southern shore. The path splits: left toward the Martello tower and rocky western beaches, right toward the monastic ruins and The Stack cliffs. Most visitors turn right, following the gravel track uphill past the ruined church. Inside the stone enclosure, you crouch to examine the carved slabs — weathered spirals and a primitive human outline, edges softened by twelve centuries of rain.
The path continues north, steepening as it approaches The Stack. You reach a viewing platform 30 metres above the water. Below, guillemots pack the ledges shoulder-to-shoulder. The smell of guano is sharp. Gannets dive offshore, folding their wings a split second before impact, disappearing into white spray.
You return along the coastal loop, checking your watch. The last ferry departs at 17:00. Missing it means a cold night among the seabirds.
The return ferry fee to land on Ireland's Eye is 30 EUR per adult. Students and children typically have discounted rates available.
The ferry operates daily from 10:30 to 17:00, with departures throughout the day.
Yes, the boat trip is popular with families and provides a great chance to see wildlife up close. Children must be supervised at all times on the island.
You can bring small bags, but please note there is no storage available on the West Pier. Please keep personal belongings to a minimum.
Booking in advance is recommended during summer months to ensure your spot on the boat. You can book via the official Ireland's Eye ferry website.
The meeting point is at the West Pier in Howth, easily reachable by the DART train or local bus from Dublin.
There are no toilets, cafes, or water facilities on the island, so please plan accordingly before boarding your ferry.
Puffins are most visible during their nesting season, which runs from April through July.
If your sailing is cancelled due to weather, the Ireland's Eye ferry operator will offer you a reschedule or a full refund.
