In 1807 the government decided to build a harbour in Howth after some suggestions in earlier years. There was considerable concern from the Post Office regarding the mail service. The Pidgin House Harbour had improved the situation for sailing packet ships but many difficult still had to be overcome: insufficient berthing, bad weather and strong winds, and the fact that the harbour dried out in low spring tides, all causing the consequent delays in the mail service.
The harbour was completed in 1813, comprising the East and West piers. The East Pier started 1807 under Captain George Taylor. but he was was succeeded by John Rennie in 1809. Constructed of ashlar granite and rubble stone, having ashlar granite walls and sea walls. Granite mainly from Dalkey Quarry. Lighthouse to East pier. The packet station transferred from Dublin to Howth in 1818. The harbour was also a lifeboat station. Following the report of the loss of a vessel off Howth in October 1816, the Ballast Board decided to place a lifeboat at Howth, although this was, strictly speaking, outside the Port of Dublin.
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