The location is excellent as it's a short walk to restaurants, pubs, shops, the sea front, and the harbour. It's also close to the start of the Cliff Walk and the other looped walks on Howth Head. It is a quiet area, so I slept really well. This is a B&B that's not posh but has real charm and warmth, and the hospitality I found here was next to none. Katherine made me feel like one of the family in the space of two days! A great breakfast, and you can help yourself to tea and coffee in the kitchen anytime of the day. Comfy bed, lovely bathroom with a bath, so could have a soak after a long hike. This was easily my best B&B experience in this country for years!

Nothing to dislike! I will be back!

Gleann Na Smol was more dated than was pictured in the Booking.com website. But don't let that stop you if kindness, sweetness and lovliness are more important than slick, up-to-date accomodations. Sean, the owner, is lovely, kind and very interested in making your stay as comfortable as possible. He will cook you a wonderful breakfast, help with laundry and answer any questions you may have about Howth (pronounced "Hote" by the locals and "Hoth - long o" by the British). He has lived there his entire life but has also travelled extensively, so is well informed and happy to share conversation.

Pillows could have been better, but I am a fuss budget about that.

location is great Sean the host has great knowledge off howth could not get a better host its the family home with a warm appeal

the property does need a little modernizing

Our host was fantastic. He made us feel very welcome and relaxed. He is very knowledgeable about Howth, Dublin, and Ireland and shared this with us which made a huge difference to our trip. Nothing was too much trouble for him! We felt very at home and well looked after. The best of Irish hospitality! We even got driven to the airport! The house had all we needed and the breakfasts were generous and hearty. The location was great for us as we were seeing family in the area and going to the traditional Irish music festival. Being close to all the pubs and restaurants was a huge bonus. We had the best time. Thank you Sean! Please keep some space free for us to come back soon!

That the trip had to end after 4 nights! Never enough!

Sean was a welcoming and helpful host and we felt very much at home from our arrival. The breakfast he provided was delicious and definitely an excellent way to start each day, especially with small children! We also appreciated being able to let the children roam around the lounge when they didn't want to be sat at the table. The lounge was full of comfy sofas and chairs with plenty of room to spread out. I also appreciated the use of a washing machine as small children get through outfits very quickly so that saved me packing extra clothes.

The only real downside was staying in a room with a skylight that had no cover. We stayed here in June so the sun didn't go down until after 9pm and the room remained very bright, even after closing blinds and curtains, because we couldn't cover the skylight. This made it challenging to settle children to sleep. But we were very comfortable once we got to sleep. Adding a cover would be very useful for future guests. I also should have checked beforehand if the ensuite bathroom had a bath. It had a shower but that wasn't an easy option for bathing a baby and a toddler.

Sean was a terrific host who gave recommendations and was super helpful. It was evident how passionate he is about the community. We had a great time and the breakfast was delightful!

Sean is a wonderful host. The pinnacle of Irish hospitality. I felt like I was a part of the family! And the bed was very comfortable. He makes a great Irish breakfast too!

Everything was lovely except it’s up a big hill so plan on getting a cab if you’ve got luggage and do not have a car. I was halfway up when a driver took pity on me and brought me the rest of the way! Also, the B&B is right on the corner- the maps app has it down the road a bit but that’s wrong.

Gleann Na Smol is a home from home! Propietor Sean was very welcoming and caring. My room had everything I needed. The bed was very comfortable. Plenty of pillows, plenty of towels and flannels. Showergel was provided. The traditional full Irish Breakfast waa delicious. Sean also provides a generous offering for those preferring a continental breakfast or those with specific dietary requirements. Plenty of coffee and tea is offerred. Gleann Na Smol is ideally located within walking distance of the sea but also very near the Howth village with plenty of very good restarants, shops, markets and pubs.

That I had to go home again.

Beautiful area in Howth. Train station 2 min drive away, rode the train to Dublin in only 40 min for 5 euro round trip ticket. Beats parking in Dublin! The room was perfect for my husband and myself and my mother in law. (We booked the room with 2 double beds) Hosts were accommodating and kind, and the breakfast was amazing!!!

Wish we could have stayed longer! The town of Howth is just beautiful with pub, restaurants and shopping within walking distance of the BnB!! McNeilll's was only a 5 min walk, great food!

I felt at home immediately, because of the warm and welcoming host. The first morning I woke up very early, an hour before the BF was planned. I could find my way in the efficient kitchen to prepare me a pot of Irish BF Tea. When the host showed up at the agreed BF time, he was perfectly OK with my kitchen doiings. He prepared a great Irish breakfast! The black pudding, left on my dish he -as a bird lover- fed to the birds outside in the garden. The day of our departure, at 2 pm, the host prepared us a pot of coffee and after we finished that, he brought us, in his car, with all our luggage to the train station, without any problem, just some natural hospitality!

Some maintenance of the facilities could make the experience even better.