Howth Special Amenity Area Order

In 1999 Fingal County Council recognised the exceptional character of Howth by making the Howth Special Amenity Area Order.

The Howth Order was confirmed by the Minister for the Environment on 16th May 2000.

The Howth Special Amenity Area Order protects many of the special qualities of the area and aims to preserve and enhance the character and special features of Howth.

It covers a total of 547 hectares, including Ireland's Eye and the heathland, woods, cliffs, shingle beaches and wooded residential areas of the south-eastern half of the Howth peninsula.

These areas have a rich diversity of flora and fauna and include protected species such as the green-winged orchid, the red squirrel and seabirds such as kittiwakes, guillemots and gannets.

The order also designates a 21km network of public footpaths, which are shown on SAAO Map A.

The Howth Special Amenity Area Order Committee consists of councillors for the area and local groups, and works to protect and enhance the SAAO area.

Minutes of the Committee meetings are available on the Council's website.

Fire Eating Goats - A Review of the Howth Wildfire Management Conservation Grazing Trail

Bird Watch Ireland Webinar on our Seabird Monitoring & Conservation at Ireland’s Eye

Fingal County Council in partnership with BirdWatch Ireland have been carrying out vital conservation work on Ireland’s Eye this Summer to protect and monitor its important seabird colonies, while also preserving the area for future generations to experience learn more here . Our Executive Biodiversity Officer recently took part in a Bird Watch Ireland Webinar on our Seabird Monitoring & Conservation at Ireland’s Eye which you can view below.