Music Festivals in Howth

Set on the edge of Dublin Bay, Howth has earned a strong reputation for live music.

Each year, three well-established festivals bring the village to life, using its pubs, harbour views and small venues to create a shared music trail rather than a single fenced site.

The result is a relaxed festival atmosphere where audiences can move easily between gigs and enjoy music at close range.

All Shucked Up! Howth Guinness & Oyster Festival

Usually running around late February early March, All Shucked Up! brings together live music and Howth’s long connection with seafood.

The festival pairs Guinness and oysters with a full schedule of roots, blues, jazz, rock and acoustic gigs across several pubs.

Alongside the music, the programme includes oyster shucking competitions, tastings and food-focused events that reflect the village’s fishing heritage. While headline shows are ticketed, many daytime and evening gigs remain free, making it a popular choice for a winter weekend by the sea.

Féile Binn Éadair

Féile Binn Éadair takes place over one weekend in May and centres on traditional Irish music.

For several days, Howth hosts a mix of concerts, sessions and collaborative performances featuring established artists and emerging musicians.

The tone is informal and welcoming, with people encouraged to wander from venue to venue and drop into sessions as they happen. Supported by local and national sponsors and Fingal County Council, the festival delivers a strong programme of free music and has become a regular fixture in the traditional music calendar.

Howth Roots & Blues Festival

Held each August, the Howth Roots & Blues Festival focuses on Irish roots, blues and Americana with a small number of international artists. The programme blends ticketed headline shows with a wide spread of free gigs across the village.

Music ranges from blues and country to bluegrass, rhythm and blues and other roots styles, with recent years also introducing Afrobeat and global influences.

Headline concerts sit alongside a lively pub trail, allowing visitors to drift between daytime and late-night performances. Extended public transport and nearby camper van options help make the festival easy to attend for both locals and visitors.

Venues, transport and staying in Howth

Regular festival venues include The Abbey Tavern, The Summit Inn, The Harbour Bar, The Bloody Stream, O’Connells, McNeills and Findlaters, many of which create outdoor or temporary stages during festival weekends.

Howth is served by regular DART and bus services from Dublin city centre, with late-night trains often scheduled during major festivals. Accommodation ranges from small hotels and guesthouses in the village to city stays along the DART line, making overnight visits straightforward even at busy times.

Taken together, these festivals give Howth a steady presence on Ireland’s live music scene, offering different experiences through the year while keeping a strong sense of place.