This castle was built in the 14th century following the project of the great English architect Sir Edwin Lutyens. The original castle was a timber structure on a hill about 1 mile further east, overlooking Balscadden Bay.
The castle has been home to St. Lawrence family since 1180, who had the title Lord Howth from 1425 to 1767.
A legend has it that in 1576, during a trip from Dublin, the pirate Grainne O'Malley wanted to pay a courtesy visit to the 8th Baron Howth, but she was informed that the family was at dinner and that the gates were closed against her. As a retaliation she kidnapped the grandson, 10th Baron Howth and she said she would have released him upon the promise to always keep the gates open to unexpected visitors and to set an extra place at every meal. It is said that this promise is still honoured today by the descendants of the family.
On the same grounds of the castle there are a Cookery School and the National Transport Museum of Ireland.
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