tourist attractions outside dublin

8 places to visit in Ireland besides Dublin

When visiting Ireland , Dublin is an easy and obvious choice -- but there are so many other incredible destinations on the Emerald Isle. Here's a look at some of our favorite places to see outside Dublin , whether you're in the mood for a quiet village, cliffside beaches, cool castles or delightful foodie spots.

And while these destinations aren't necessarily off the beaten path, we won't be including the usual tourist traps -- no Blarney Stone here.

1. The Aran Islands

These three islands -- less than an hour's boat ride from Galway -- are truly traditional Gaelic havens, where the locals still speak Irish and bask in the mild climate and lush agriculture. The Aran Islands are home to many forts and castles dating back to the Bronze and Iron ages, so if history is your forte, they won't disappoint.

The largest island, Inishmore, is home to the prehistoric fort of Dún Aonghasa, perched on top of a high cliff. Nearby is the Worm Hole, a rectangular natural pool where you can swim -- if you're willing to brave the cold water!

A mere 15 miles south of Cork , this fishing town is the gourmet capital of Ireland, which is enough reason to immediately head there and start eating. It's awash with amazing seafood restaurants and bars and there is an annual food festival, which takes place every October. Even if you don't visit during the festival, you can still enjoy the fantastic cafes, pubs and pop-up eateries, as well as the yacht-filled harbor, charming narrow streets and a variety of boutiques and art galleries.

3. Galway City

While you may first get a modern vibe from this colorful, vibrant city where the streets are lined with boho-chic bookshops, vintage boutiques and lively pubs, there's a lengthy history in its old buildings and many castles .

The city was once inhabited by 14 tribes who helped it flourish and grow into the artsy, contemporary community it is today. Don't miss St Nicholas' Collegiate Church, one of the largest medieval churches in Ireland -- it dates back to 1320 and is still in use today. Galway City is also the perfect place to hear traditional Irish music, with many venues offering concerts and workshops where beginners can learn the basics.

4. Connemara National Park

Covering about 12 square miles, Connemara National Park boasts a variety of landscapes, including mountains, bogs, grasslands and woodlands. It's also home to a graveyard, 4,000-year-old court tombs and Kylemore Abbey, a stunning monastery located inside Kylemore Castle (pictured at the very top of this post). Don't be surprised to see sheep, rabbits, foxes, shrews, bats and Connemara ponies running around. A visit to Connemara would be a perfect day trip from Galway City, as it's only about a 90-minute drive.

5. The Cliffs of Moher

Rising 400 to 700 feet above the Atlantic, the Cliffs of Moher, which run for about five miles, are a natural wonder on Ireland's west coast that shouldn't be missed. If you're not convinced by the photo below, perhaps some Hollywood glitz will win you over. The cliffs have been used as a backdrop in "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" , "The Princess Bride", "Ryan's Daughter" and "The Guns of Navarone" .

More than 30,000 birds from about 20 different species live on the cliffs, making it an ideal spot for nature lovers and birdwatching enthusiasts. The visitors' fee of $7 covers parking, access to the visitors' center and, most importantly, is used to help conserve the cliffs.

If you want that charming Irish small-town experience, Clifden's your spot. The village, nestled along the Atlantic coast in County Galway with an expansive green countryside, often has live music, a great food and pub scene and a ton of outdoor excursions like fishing, horse riding and cycling .

Explore the rolling hills behind the village that lead up to Clifden Castle, a ruined manor house that dates back to 1818. You can also drive along the Sky Road that rises 500 feet above sea level and offers stunning views of the ocean, castle and the Irish countryside. It's also close to Connemara National Park, so you can easily visit both spots in one trip.

7. The Skellig Islands

Another area known for its birdwatching opportunities, the Skellig Islands are made up of two rocky isles -- Skellig Michael and Little Skellig -- that jut up above the Atlantic a few miles off the coast of southwest Ireland. Skellig Michael, also known as Great Skellig, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for a 6th-century monastery that teeters on a cliff about 1,500 feet above the ocean.

Visitors can hike up to see the remains (it's a steep climb, so be prepared), where monks used to go when they hoped to worship in isolation. If this scene seems mildly familiar -- it was the secret hiding place of Luke Skywalker in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens". Thanks to inclement weather and rough seas, access to the islands are usually limited to May through September, so plan your trip accordingly if you wish to visit.

8. Killarney National Park

A UNESCO biosphere reserve, Killarney National Park is one of the most protected parks in the country, thanks to its almost 26,000 acres of diverse flora and fauna. Home to massive natural wonders like the Macgillycuddy's Reeks mountain range (the highest in Ireland) and the Lakes of Killarney, the park also has some of the largest oak forests in all of Europe . Torc Waterfall is a sight worth seeing, and don't miss Ross Castle, a 15th-century edifice located at the edge of the park that's closer to town.

Bottom line

It's definitely worth doing a bit of extra research when visiting Ireland to make sure all its magical spots beside Dublin don't get overlooked. Ireland is a fairly compact country, too, so getting around isn't too difficult. But we would certainly recommend renting a car as public transport, especially in rural areas, can be a bit hit or miss. Slainte!

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9 Attractions to See Near Dublin

• Post author: colette
• Post published: May 23, 2024
• Post category: Activities / Day Trips
• Post comments: 0 Comments

If you’re planning to visit Dublin but not sure you’ll have the time to get a glimpse of the tourist attractions outside of Ireland’s capital city, here are 9 attractions to see that are not too far from the city.

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Table of Contents

1. Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre, Co. Meath

The most significant battle in Irish history was fought near the River Boyne at Oldbridge in County Meath on July 1 st in 1690.

Indeed, its outcome would change Irish history forever.

At the Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre , you’ll discover how King William of Orange and his army of 36,000 men beat King James II, the deposed Catholic king of England and Ireland (also known as James VII, King of Scotland), who was leading 25,000 followers.

William’s army consisted of English, Scottish, Dutch, and Dane fighters, as well as the French Protestants known as Huguenots.

James’s men included mostly Irish Catholics, with some help from France.

Approximately 1,500 men were killed.

At the center, you’ll find original weapons from the battle, the largest to take place on Irish soil, as well as a laser model of the battlefield.

A canon used in the battle is on display in the yard of the 18 th -century house-turned-tourist-attraction known as Oldbridge House.

Be sure to wait around for the musket-firing display and don’t forget to take a walk around the walled garden.

Admission for adults is €5; groups/seniors €4; children and students €3, and €13 for a family ticket.

If you don't want to pay for the ticket to the visitor center, you can still walk around the grounds, including the walled garden and battle site walkways.

Directions From Dublin by Car: Follow these Google Maps directions . Directions From Dublin By Public Transport: Take the train from Dublin's Connolly Station to Drogheda and then take the Route 163 TFI Local Link bus from the Drogheda train station to the center. This bus also stops at Brú na Bóinne (Newgrange).

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2. Brú na Bóinne (Newgrange), Co. Meath

While Newgrange is considered the most popular of the attractions at the Brú na Bóinne complex in Co. Meath, there is more to see at this fascinating place, one of the 9 attractions to see near Dublin.

Located about 34 miles (55 km) from Dublin, there are actually 90 other archaeological sites in the area, including Knowth and Dowth.

Experts believe that Newgrange, a Late Stone Age passage tomb, was constructed about 5,000 years ago, predating the Egyptian pyramids and Stonehenge.

The inner chamber, where human bones and objects of religious significance were found, is a small room with a vaulted ceiling. It has remained intact since its completion in 3,200 B.C.

Irish mythology tells us that the Tuatha Dé Danann, a supernatural race, built Newgrange and used it as a burial site for their chief, Dagda Mór, and his three sons.

Even before you enter the chamber, you’ll be fascinated by the 4-foot-high curbstones positioned outside the entrance. They are covered with beautiful spiral designs called triskeles, which were also common in Greek culture.

Researchers believe the stones used to build this magnificent monument came from as far away as the Mourne Mountains in Northern Ireland and from Wicklow to the south of Newgrange.

The mound at Newgrange is surrounded by a huge circle of 12 standing stones, one of the biggest in Ireland. Archaeologists believe that up to 36 stones may have existed on the site at one time.

Excavations at the site determined that the stones, some as tall as 2.5 meters (8 feet) and weighing several tons, were placed there several hundred years after Newgrange was first constructed.

An immersive visitor center tells the story of Newgrange and other ancient monuments. Tickets for the Brú na Bóinne site must be booked in advance.

To access the Brú na Bóinne Plus Newgrange Chamber Tour (visitor center included), expect to pay €18 for adults, €16 for seniors (60+), €12 for children (12-17) or €48 for a family ticket (2 adults and up to 5 children). You can find additional ticket information options here .

Directions from Dublin by Car: Follow these Google Map directions . Directions from Dublin By Public Transport: Take the train from Dublin's Connolly Station to Drogheda and then take the Route 163 TFI Local Link bus from the Drogheda train station to the visitor center. This bus also stops at at the Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre. Or take this guided tour from Dublin that includes Brú na Bóinne, the Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre, and the Monasterboice Monastic Site. Mary Gibbons' Newgrange Tours are also highly recommended.

3. Glendalough Monastic City, Co. Wicklow

The Glendalough Monastic Site is about 30 miles (48 km) from Dublin and is within an hour’s drive from the city.

The early monastic settlement, otherwise known as Monastic City, was founded in the sixth century by St. Kevin.

Glendalough is a deeply spiritual and tranquil place, surrounded by two lakes and located in a glacial valley that is surrounded by a forest.

By the 9 th century, it equaled Clonmacnoise in County Offaly in its importance as a chief monastic site. Thousands of students came to Glendalough to study and to pray during its heyday.

Despite attacks from the Vikings, Glendalough survived to become a site of great learning until the Normans destroyed the monastery in 1214.

Some of the things you’ll see include a near-perfect round tower, St. Kevin’s Kitchen (actually a church), St. Kevin’s Cell (a beehive hut where Kevin lived), St. Kevin’s Cross, and more.

A visitor center complete with interactive displays tells the story of St. Kevin’s journey to Glendalough and how he created this important religious site.

You can wander around the site for free. However, if you want to learn more about the history of the monastic site, you'll need to go to the visitor center, where you will pay the following prices: €5 for adults, €4 for seniors, €3 for children and students, and €13 for families.

Directions from Dublin by Car: Follow these Google Map directions Directions from Dublin by Bus: Take the St. Kevin's Bus Service , which runs from March 1st through Sept. 30th. Tickets must be purchased on the bus, which leaves from St. Stephen's Green North. There are a variety of organized tours that you can take of Glendalough that will also include the Wicklow Mountains (sheep dog trials included), Kilkenny and more.

4. Hill of Tara, Co. Meath

The Hill of Tara is known as the inauguration site of Ireland’s 142 high kings prior to the arrival of Christianity. Like Brú na Bóinne, it is also located in Co. Meath.

One can only imagine the halls and palaces that existed in this important spot. However, remarkable monuments from the Neolithic through Iron Age remain today that tell the story of this fascinating place.

The Ráth na Rí is a large round enclosure on the Hill of Tara site that incorporates some of the site’s most important structures.

They include the “Mound of the Hostages,” a passage tomb that contains similar stone artwork that can be seen in Newgrange.

The Lia Fáil, a mighty coronation stone where the high kings were believed to have been crowned is also in this area. It is also known as the Stone of Destiny.

The site is free to explore. Guided tours are available.

Directions from Dublin by Car: Follow these Google Map directions . Directions from Dublin by Public Transport: Get the Route 109 bus to Lismullan from Dublin's Busaras. You can purchase tickets at the station. You may need to take a taxi from Lismullan to the heritage site. Use the TFI (Transport for Ireland) Live app to research the journey. Other private tours are available to the Hill of Tara and other interesting heritage sites in the region, including Trim Castle, the Loughcrew Cairns and more.

5. Howth Cliff Walk, Co. Dublin

While you can get to this small fishing village outside of Dublin in a mere 30 minutes on the DART train, the real highlight of this diversion from Dublin’s city center attractions is the beautiful and refreshing 2-hour cliff walk .

You’ll be able to see Lambay’s Island, Ireland’s Eye, and the whole Dublin Bay region from there. But perhaps the best part of the walk is the Howth Rhododendron Gardens that you’ll discover along the way.

The 19 th -century gardens are located behind what used to be the Deer Park Hotel. Simply follow the signs for the cliff walk that will lead you toward Howth Castle.

The gardens contain about 2,000 plant species, including palm trees and other exotic plant specimens that you would not expect to see in Ireland.

If you’d like to get a sense of Howth’s history, including its importance as a trading port from the 14 th century on, take the Howth Peninsula Hiking Tour , a 4-hour trek of the area courtesy of experienced guides from Shane’s Howth Adventures.

The nearby Howth Castle is worth exploring, too. While it isn’t open to the public, the grounds of this 16 th -century building are free to explore.

Treat yourself to a nice fish and chips meal afterward in the harbor.

Directions from Dublin City Center by Public Transport: Take the DART train. Train schedules from Dublin to Howth can be found on the Irish Rail website. Trains for Howth leave from Connolly Station, the Tara Street Station, and Pearse Station. You can purchase your ticket at those stations.

6. Irish National Stud & Gardens, Co. Kildare

This thoroughbred horse breeding facility in County Kildare is home to some of the most magnificent horses in the world and you can learn all about it at the stud farm there, famous for producing Minoru, the winner of the Epsom Derby in 1909.

The Tully stud farm was gifted to the British Royal Family in 1915 and became known as The National Stud. The family’s horses, all bred at Tully, won five classic horse races over the years.

In 1946, the Irish government took over the running of the stud farm. And in 2011, Queen Elizabeth II visited the farm during her state visit to Ireland.

The Horse Museum, located on the grounds of the Irish National Stud at Tully, tells the story of the horse in Irish culture and Ireland’s love affair with horse racing through a variety of interactive exhibits.

Its latest attraction is called The Irish Racehorse Experience .

The Japanese Gardens, created between 1906 and 1910, are the finest of their kind in Europe.

They trace the soul of humankind from oblivion to eternity using a variety of rare plants and exotic landscapes that make you feel like you are in Japan, not Kildare.

While truly Eastern in design and creativity, the Japanese Gardens at the National Stud also include a Celtic twist in the form of St. Fiachra’s Garden, which opened in 1999 to celebrate the millennium and to commemorate the patron saint of gardeners, St. Fiachra.

Admission to the Irish National Stud & Gardens is €19 for adults, €11 for children ages 3-16, €14 for seniors and students, and €48 for a family ticket (2 adults and 2 children between the ages of 3 and 16). Visitors to the Irish National Stud can avail of a free guided tour (included with purchase of admission ticket).

Private tours are also available but must be booked in advance by emailing [email protected] .

Directions from Dublin by Car: Follow these Google Map directions . Directions from Dublin by Public Transport: Take the train to Kildare from Heuston Station and hail a cab from there.

7. Newbridge House & Farm, Co. Dublin

This 18 th -century Georgian mansion can be found a mere 30 minutes from the city center by train.

The house and demesne, set in 370 acres of beautiful parkland north of Dublin, is the most complete Anglo-Irish estate in the country.

It includes a working farm, a children’s playground, and a café. And as a bonus, you’ll also discover the ruins of Lanistown Castle on the grounds.

Historians believe that the castle tucked away on the grounds of the estate, was part of a scheme created by King Henry in 1429 that included a £10 payment to landowners who agreed to build a defensive tower on their properties to protect The Pale.

What attracts history buffs is the house itself, designed by the renowned architect of the time, James Gibbs, for the Rev. Charles Cobbe, then archbishop of Dublin.

The Cobbe family remained in the home until 1985 when it was purchased from the former Dublin County Council. It is now managed by the Fingal County Council in association with the family.

The Red Drawing Room is considered one of the finest Georgian rooms in the country, one of the few family museums to exist in either Ireland or the U.K..

Inside, you'll find the Cobbe Cabinet of Curiosities , a collection of  shells, corals, fossils, taxidermy, chinoiserie, and even some Captain Cook memorabilia from the family's private collection. There is also a significant collection of 19th century Indian souvenirs from many relatives serving in the military.

The only known portrait of William Shakespeare is also part of this extraordinary collection.

If you have young children, they will love the working farm, home to some unusual animal breeds, including the Gloucester Old Spot, an English breed of pig that has all but disappeared elsewhere.

The house has also been used as a location for films like “The Spy Who Came in From the Cold” as well as the Oscar-winning movie, “Barry Lyndon.”

Guided tours are available in English, with audio guides in Irish, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, and Mandarin.

Admission is €14 for adults, €9 for seniors, €8.50 for children, and a family ticket costs €23.50 (1 adult, 2 children). You can get in for free with the Dublin Pass .

Directions from Dublin by Car: Follow these Google Map directions . Directions from Dublin by Public Transport: Take the train from either Connolly, Tara Street, or Pearse Street train stations. Be sure to get off at the Donabate stop. The house and farm are about 15 minutes by foot from the station.

8. Powerscourt Estate, Co. Wicklow

Voted one of the Top 10 houses and mansions to visit in the world by Lonely Planet, the Powerscourt Estate should definitely be on your itinerary if you’re in Dublin for a few days.

The house was originally a 13 th -century castle but was extensively altered by leading architect Richard Cassels during the period 1731 through 1741.

A fire in 1974 severely damaged the house, which was renovated to its former glory in 1996.

Even so, it is not quite the same as it was in its heyday. Today, the interior is a popular wedding fair destination and there are many craft shops and other retailers within the space.

The gardens are what many people come to see.

Their development was made possible thanks to Mervyn Wingfield, the 7 th Viscount Powerscourt, who after visiting Versailles, the Schönbrunn Palace near Vienna, and the Schwetzingen Castle in Germany wanted to replicate some of those features in his County Wicklow estate.

Completion of the vast gardens took 150 years.

Beyond the gardens is the Powerscourt Waterfall. While most tourism brochures claim that this is Ireland’s tallest, the Devil’s Chimney in County Sligo holds that honor.

Still, the Powerscourt Waterfall is a feature of the estate not to be missed.

There are separate admission prices for the garden estate and the waterfall.

Directions from Dublin by Car: Follow these Google Map directions . Directions from Dublin by Public Transport: Take the DART from Dublin to Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow, and either walk to the estate or take a taxi. There are a variety of private tours that you can take to the estate and other Wicklow attractions.

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9. Trim Castle, Co. Meath

Located on the south bank of the River Boyne, the 3-story Trim Castle is the largest Anglo-Norman fortification in Ireland.

King Henry II granted Norman Hugh de Lacy the land on which to build a castle. As protection against the surrounding Gaelic clans, de Lacy proceeded to construct a huge ringwork castle that was pretty much impenetrable, protected by a ditch, a curtain wall, and a water-filled moat.

Learn more about this fascinating castle, which was used as a location for the film, “Braveheart,” by taking a guided tour.

Admission to the castle, including the keep, is €5 for adults, €4 for seniors, €3 for students and children, and €13 for a family ticket.

Directions from Dublin by Car: Follow these Google Map directions . Directions from Dublin by Public Transport: Take the bus to Trim from the Busaras station in the city center. You can purchase your ticket there. There are a range of tours that include Trim Castle in their itineraries.

Are you planning to visit Ireland's capital in the future? Or perhaps you’ve already visited some of the 9 attractions to see near Dublin mentioned above. Let me know in the comments below.

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8 Places to Visit in Ireland Outside Dublin

Consider spending an evening at any of the three pubs in Doolin: Gus O’Connor’s, McGann’s, and McDermott’s. Most sessions start at half past nine (roughly), but you’ll want to get there much earlier to get a seat, a pint, and perhaps a meal. The mussels at O’Connor’s are a delight soaked in cream and wine with a hint of onion and a side of chips. The sessions at O’Connor’s are acoustic and subtle. The music is informal and meant as an accompaniment to the evening conversation. “The sunsets over the ocean paint the sky in yellow and pink.” A walk down to the docks will win you a distant view of the Cliffs of Moher and the Aran Islands on clear days. The sunsets over the ocean paint the sky in yellow and pink. In early spring, you can watch the sunset before dinner. All year you can watch either from a distance to enjoy the tranquility of the sky or out on the rock ledges to welcome the incoming, energetic surf.

Doolin is an excellent home base for those wishing to visit the Cliffs of Moher, one of Ireland’s most stunning natural attractions. You can walk or bike from Doolin to the Cliffs along the Burren Waymarked Trail or drive through the surrounding farm country. The five miles of cliffs stand more than 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean where you can listen to the waves and the seagulls, squint into the dense fog, or, on a clear day, see all the way to the Aran Islands.

Aran Islands

Fans of all things woolly and knitted will enjoy the Aran Sweater Market and Museum. The museum is free and gives a little bit of history on Aran knit sweaters. The market, however, is the real draw and sells 100% wool Aran sweaters.

Just 23 kilometers (about 15 miles) from Shannon Airport, where the sheep graze alongside the runway, Ennis is a good home base for exploring much of Ireland’s west coast. Ennis offers big city amenities like pharmacies, department stores, and endless restaurants, but maintains a small town feel with the tranquil River Fergus cutting through the town.

Ennis is a good place for window shopping and snacking all day long. Pop into any of the little bakeries for raisin scones or browse the many bookshops. While Ennis has it’s fair share of souvenir shops, it’s easy to swing down a side street to discover a boutique most other travelers are missing. “Pop into any of the little bakeries for raisin scones or browse the many bookshops” Ennis also hosts many festivals throughout the year including the Spancil Hill Horse Fair, Ennis Book Club Festival, Ennis Fashion Week, and the Ennis Trad Festival (for music).

If staying in Ennis, you may like to take an evening side trip to Bunratty Castle. The castle and folk park are open daily, but the medieval banquets in the Great Hall make a visit to the castle something special. Costumed actors and musicians create an evening of medieval style celebration commencing with a reception with music and mead, followed by a four-course dinner, and winding down with an additional musical performance after dessert.

A gem on Ireland’s southwest coast, the Dingle Peninsula is a fun, friendly locale with great seafood and even better traditional Irish music. It’s a small peninsula, only 10 miles wide, and a Gaeltacht , an area where Irish is still spoken and special care is taken to protect traditional Irish customs. It’s easy to spend an evening here dining on fresh fish, having a pint, listening to a little music, and just talking. “…an area where Irish is still spoken and special care is taken to protect traditional Irish customs.” You’ll be able to make great use of that car you rented by taking the Slea Head Drive. Easily done as a 30-mile scenic loop beginning and ending in Dingle Town, you’ll find some of Ireland’s best archaeological sites including Dun an Oir Fort, an Iron Age fort, and Gallarus Oratory, a church that looks like a beehive.

Dingle Town, a harbor town sheltered by mountains, is the largest town on the peninsula, home to about 1,200 residents and 50 pubs. That’s a ratio of one pub for every twenty-four residents and some of the pubs are so small it would be tough to fit twenty-four people inside comfortably. Some of the pubs are known for their music, others their food, and still others for the odd assortment of other items they sell from bicycles to fertilizer.

You’ll find Kinsale in the south of Ireland, just a few miles from Cork. It’s a harbor town complete with beaches, chilly breezes, and excellent seafood. Kinsale has gained the reputation as the Gourmet Capital of Ireland. True food enthusiasts may want to plan their trip around the Kinsale Gourmet Food Festival held every October for the past 35 years. But there’s always good food to be had whether in the pubs, many specialty shops and bakeries, or at the farmer’s market. “Consider traveling here in the off season and/or staying here overnight rather than making it a day trip from Cork as many travelers do.” When your belly is full, you can explore Charles Fort, a seventeenth century star fort. The fort, which remained in use until1922, has five bastions (points of the star) for defense, two on the harbor and three facing inland. Kinsale’s location on a harbor connected to the Bandon River within a short distance of where it meets the ocean made Kinsale an important naval city for many years.

Kilkenny is a small city in central Ireland that mixes small town charm with big city amenities. Here you’ll find unique shops and family owned pubs interspersed with Dunnes department stores and American fast food chains. Start your tour of the city at St. Canice’s Cathedral where you can climb a series of wooden ladders to the top of the round tower for a panoramic view of the city. Look for landmarks like Kilkenny Castle and St. Frances Abbey. Revel in the delights of this small city in the midst of the rolling farm country in the distance.

In Kilkenny, take a break from Guinness and grab a Smithwick’s. Home to the Smithwick’s brewery, this city is an excellent stop for beer lovers and pub goers. While Guinness is more famous, Smithwick’s has been around longer; John Smithwick brewed his first beers in 1710 (Arthur Guinness didn’t get started in Dublin until 1759). Enjoy this ruby red beer at any of the pubs in town or take a tour of the brewery at St. Francis Abbey. “Home to the Smithwick’s brewery, this city is an excellent stop for beer lovers and pub goers.” Those who appreciate art and architecture (or just like castles) can enjoy the guided tours of Kilkenny Castle and/or an independent walk on the castle grounds.  You’ll learn about Strongbow, who built the first castle on the site, and the Butler family, who occupied the castle for over five centuries.

While you can enjoy a portion of the Wicklow mountain region on day trips from Dublin, their beauty and mystery are worth more time if you have it. For the hurried traveler or those taking an extended weekend in Dublin, I recommend a day trip to Glendalough. Vans and mini buses lead tours to the Glendalough Valley to tour the St. Kevin’s monastic settlement, which includes stone ruins of the monastery, a tour of the cemetery, and ample time to walk in the lush, green valley.

Some choose to spend all their time in Ireland walking the Wicklow Way (as well as many of the other waymarked trails in Ireland). The Wicklow Way is attractive because it boasts some of the best mountain views in Ireland and begins/ends in a suburb of Dublin, which makes it convenient to Ireland’s largest airport. To walk the entire Wicklow Way, plan for 10 or so days of wandering through forests, mountains, suburbs, and hilly countryside. “The lake is a reservoir with a coastline that extends for over fifty miles.” For something less adventurous than the Wicklow Way while still seeing more of Wicklow than Glendalough, you can choose to stay in any of the towns in the area and explore at your own pace. Blessington, in the western region of Wicklow, is a popular choice for its historic town center and lake. The lake is a reservoir with a coastline that extends for over fifty miles. Many locals enjoy pike fishing in the river and, with a permit, visitors can fish there as well or embark on other adventures including sailing and windsurfing.

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5 Amazing Places to Visit Near Dublin Without a Car

To those who decide to spend a few days in the Irish capital, I always recommend putting some time aside to visit one or two places near Dublin . Just under 90 minutes from the city centre, picturesque villages, centuries old castles, colourful gardens and an exceptional monastic settlement await.

Easily accessible in public transports, these five stunning places outside Dublin don’t require renting a car. They are ideal destinations for a short day trip. Even a half-day would suffice to enjoy those great places so close to Dublin. Don’t forget to pack comfortable walking shoes, you might need them. 

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Best Websites to Plan Your Visit to Dublin

• Getting There | From continental Europe, I always fly with Aer Lingus or Air France . If you are travelling from the UK or France, you can also sail to Dublin with Irish Ferries or Stena Line .
• Where to Stay | I often find great deals on booking.com . Hostelworld is my go-to for cheap hostels in Ireland.
• Things to Do | Check out GetYourGuide and Viator to book guided or day tours from Dublin.
• Getting Around | Book your journey from Dublin Airport to the city centre with Aircoach or Dublin Express . Visit Irish Rail for train timetables and Buseireann for buses heading beyond Dublin. 
• Internet | Access unlimited data with WiFiCandy portable devices and avoid roaming charges.
• Planning | Lonely Planet Ireland is one of my favourite guides. For an extensive list of things to see, I recommend getting The Rough Guide to Ireland .
• Travel Insurance | If you need travel insurance, check out Heymondo for tailor-made offers.

The Best Places to Visit Near Dublin Without a Car

Located just 30 minutes from Dublin city centre on the DART, the village of Howth is no doubt the most popular coastal destination around Dublin . People come here to breathe fresh sea air and to get away from the city’s hustle and bustle for a few hours.

With its small harbour, its playful seals and its 19th century lighthouse whose door has been painted bright red, Howth has kept the appearance of a picturesque fishing village .

The long walk along the granite pier which protects the harbour from the waves’ endless battering is one of the main attractions. At its farthest end, Howth’s pretty lighthouse with its flowered windows is the ideal spot for a photo or two. Walkers take the time to enjoy the view over the sea where an island called the Ireland’s Eye , a wildlife sanctuary, can be observed in the distance.

Restaurants nestled around the harbour attract seafood lovers. Come summer, terraces and tables fill up quickly for a lunch or dinner al fresco. Less refined but no less tasty, fish and chips are a popular grub. People queue outside chippers Leo Burdock’s and Beshoffs before settling on the nearby lawn or a bench for an improvised picnic. Watch out for the seagulls!

Open at the weekend, the market in Howth attracts the crowd. Here, you will find local crafts and European street food. The cupcakes from Buns are delicious!

Howth is also the starting point for a walking trail that runs all around the Howth peninsula. As you make your way along the Howth Cliff walk , you can enjoy panoramic sea views and discover the Baily lighthouse, one of several lighthouses in Dublin Bay, built on a rocky outcrop towering above the sea.

How to Get to Howth Without a Car

You only need to take the DART northbound (heading to Howth) from one of the train stations in the city centre (Pearse Station, Tara Street Station or Connolly Station). Howth is the very last stop on the train line. Departures are frequent all day long.

You can buy your return ticket from the ticket machine, or better still, use your Leap Card for a discounted fare.

Malahide Castle

Found 30 minutes north of Dublin, Malahide Castle boasts an incredible 800 years of family history, inevitably intertwined with the history of Ireland. This castle is without a doubt one of my favourite places to visit near Dublin without a car.

Having arrived in Ireland during the 12th century Norman invasion , the Talbot family established their new home in Malahide. The Talbots were one of the most powerful families in the region for decades, updating their castle as centuries went by. The castle remained in the family until Rose Talbot sold it to the Irish State in 1975 and immigrated to Australia.

From outside, the thick towers and crenellated walls covered in thick ivy give Malahide Castle a convincing medieval appearance. Inside, however, what the guided tour offers to visitors is a journey through time across different time periods and one of the top attractions on the east coast of Ireland .

The Oak Room , richly adorned with splendidly carved, wooden panelling, transports visitors back to the 16th century, whereas the withdrawing rooms, decorated in elegant rococo style , let us catch a glimpse of the 18th century. Under the impressive beams of the gothic-inspired Great Hall , paintings and portraits of distinguished family members cover centuries old walls and keep a watchful eye on their visitors.

Outside, the castle is surrounded by a magnificent park, woodland and botanical walled garden with a pond and greenhouses. Filled with palm trees and other exotic plants, the garden is not to be missed.

How to Get to Malahide Castle Without a Car

Malahide is located 20-30 minutes north of Dublin by train. You can board either the DART or the commuter train from Pearse Station, Tara Street Station or Connolly Station. Departures are frequent all day long. You can purchase your train ticket at the ticket machine or use your Leap Card.

Malahide Castle is situated a 10-minute walk from Malahide train station. The castle is signposted as you exit the station.

Malahide Castle & Gardens // Malahide, Co. Dublin // Buy your ticket here .

You might also be interested in: – 15 Sights in One Day | A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Dublin – Huguenots in Dublin | What You Need to Know About the City’s French Heritage – The 4 Best Distillery Tours in Dublin To Learn About Irish Whiskey – Ireland Travel Books | The Best Guidebooks to Plan your Irish Adventure

Powerscourt Gardens

An 18th century country house, Italianate terraces, a Japanese garden; in Ireland, you won’t find gardens more grand than those of the Powerscourt estate . Located in county Wicklow , an hour south of Dublin, Powerscourt Gardens are one of the most remarkable sites in the East of Ireland . That would be a real pity to miss it.

The entrance to the gardens is through the house built for the 1st Viscount Powerscourt in classic Palladian style , then a popular architectural style amongst the Anglo-Irish high society.

Once at the back of the house, visitors are immediately taken by the panoramic view opening up in front of them, the Sugar Loaf Mountain dominating the landscape in the distance. You can do nothing but follow the long flowered terraces “à l’italienne” down to the Triton lake, where a fountain sprays water high above the pond.

The Powerscourt estate is vast. The gardens spread on 47 acres of beautifully maintained land. From a century-old Japanese garden to a walled garden hiding the most vivid flowers, the domain puts up a real show with surprises to be found at every turn of its winding paths, making the estate the top garden to visit in Wicklow .

Surfing on the latest wave of Irish whiskey’s renewed popularity, Powerscourt has opened its own distillery . The new venture opened its doors to the public in 2019 and offers guided tours.

Lastly, Powerscourt is known for its waterfall . At 121 metres, it is the tallest in Ireland. The waterfall is situated 6 km from the gardens, and unfortunately you will need a car to reach its dedicated car park.

How to Get to Powerscourt Gardens Without a Car

It is not very well known, but this beautiful place outside Dublin can be reached without a car. Powerscourt can be accessed by public transport from Dublin city centre itself. You have to catch bus 44 on O’Connell Street, heading to Enniskerry. The journey will take roughly an hour to the village of Enniskerry.

From the village, Powerscourt is a 10-minute walk.

Powerscourt Estate // Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow // Buy your ticket here .

The Village of Trim and Its Anglo-Norman Castle

Colourful pubs, an old stone bridge and ruins of a 12th century fortress await visitors in Trim , a picturesque village located just an hour north-west of Dublin, in county Meath .

Trim is famous for its castle, the largest Anglo-Norman castle ever built in Ireland. Erected by Hugh de Lacy on the river Boyne, the fortress was to help him assert its control over the kingdom of Meath that he had received from the English king, Henry II.

Largely neglected as centuries went by, the structure didn’t change much once completed after 30 years of hard labour. Although today in a state of ruins, Trim Castle remains an extraordinary example of what the first Anglo-Norman castles looked like. Its keep with its unusual cruciform shape still stands tall today. A guided tour (tickets are sold at the entrance) brings visitors to the very top of the tower, where panoramic views over the surrounding countryside await. 

On the opposite bank of the river, a path leads to the ruins of an Augustinian monastery . At the centre of the village, the stone arches of an old bridge span over the Boyne, while a pub clad in purple stands over the water. Trim, a picture-perfect Irish village,  is one of the best things to see in the Boyne Valley .

How to Get to Trim Without a Car

Trim can be reached by public transport from Busaras, Dublin’s central bus station. A bus departs for Trim every hour, therefore booking is usually not necessary. Buy a ticket for bus 111 from Buseireann. You will be in Trim in an hour.

Glendalough and Its Monastic Settlement

Translated as “the Valley of the Two Lakes”, Glendalough in Co. Wicklow is the place chosen by Saint Kevin to withdraw from the world and found a monastery in the 6th century. Miracles attributed to St. Kevin and his holiness attracted numerous disciples and pilgrims to Glendalough, turning the monastery into a real centre of power.

The ruins that remain of this ancient monastic site reveal the existence of no less than five churches. One of them had even been elevated to a cathedral. A round tower , a typical stone structure found in Ireland, still reaches for the sky. Devised as refuge, round towers appeared during the same period that saw Vikings raiding the Irish coast for the first time.

Around these religious buildings, you have to imagine lots of single huts. Contrary to monasteries on the continent where monks lived and slept under the same roof, monks who belonged to the first Celtic monasteries had each their own dwelling.

Located within the stunning Glendalough valley, this historical site in Co. Wicklow also attracts visitors in search of lush and magnificent landscapes. Choose either to stroll around the Lower Lake for an hour or to hike several hours to the top of the valley, you won’t be disappointed by Glendalough’s natural wonders.

How to Get to Glendalough Without a Car

A private bus company operates daily between Dublin city centre and Glendalough information centre: St Kevins Bus Service . The journey time is around 80 minutes.

With a late morning departure for Glendalough and a return in the late afternoon, this will allow you enough time to visit the monastic settlement and explore the valley for a little while. Make sure to be back on time to the Information Centre car park to board the bus back to Dublin, or else you could be stuck in Glendalough for the night.

These five places are my favourite destinations near Dublin, where you can swap for a few hours the city’s hustle and bustle for a more quiet setting. Located just a few kilometres outside Dublin, these places are also your chance to explore a different side of Ireland without the need to travel to more remote locations. Accessible without a car, these stunning places outside Dublin are easy to get to, and it would be a real pity to miss them.

Taking the train is another way to keep exploring Ireland without a car, allowing you to venture further afield from the capital without the stress of driving. Don’t hesitate to add day trips from Dublin by train to your holiday and explore cities with rich historical heritage such as Belfast, Galway, or Waterford.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links.   If you click on a link, I earn a little money at no extra cost to you.

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13 Best Day Trips from Dublin (Tried + Tested for 2024)

By Author Keith O'Hara

Posted on Last updated: December 29, 2023

In this guide, you’ll find 1, the best day trips from Dublin for those of you with a car and 2, some great day tours from Dublin for those of you without a car .

While there are plenty of things to do in Dublin , it’s well worth exploring the wealth of attractions that lay a short distance away.

And, although the likes of Wicklow tends to be the ‘go-to’ of the Dublin day trips, there’s plenty more on offer!

Below, you’ll find organised Dublin day tours for those of you looking for someone else to do the driving and some mighty day trips from Dublin for those of you with a car.

Table of Contents

The best day trips from Dublin by car

Click to enlarge

If you’re driving, there’s countless places to visit near Dublin by car, once you know where to look.

Below, you’ll find the ‘old favourites’ like Glendalough and Newgrange, but you’ll also find some often missed Dublin day trips, like the Cooley Peninsula and more.

1. Wicklow (55-minute drive)

Photos via Shutterstock

Also known as the ‘Garden of Ireland’, Wicklow is one of the best day trips from Dublin for good reason! Well-known for its outstanding natural beauty, the county is blessed with glittering lakes and monastic villages and ruins.

I’ve been taking half day trips from Dublin to Wicklow for years and the itinerary that I tend to use is this one:

• Head to Glendalough, first, as the car park can be a pain
• Pick one of the Glendalough walks , e.g. the Spinc Loop
• Get a post-hike lunch at the brilliant Wicklow Heather
• Head up and do the Sally Gap Drive
• Stop at Lough Tay , Ballinastoe Woods and Glenmacnass Waterfall

If you’re looking for slightly different Dublin day trips, tackle one of the longer Wicklow walks over the course of a morning and afternoon!

2. The Cooley Peninsula (1.5-hour drive)

Photos by Tom Archer via Tourism Ireland

The Cooley Peninsula is one of the more overlooked Dublin day trips. There’s plenty of things to see and do here and there’s a clatter of great places to eat.

Depending on whether or not you want to include a hike in your trip, here’s a suggested itinerary:

• Pick a walk (options – Ravensdale Forest Walk , Annaloughan Loop Walk or the Slieve Foye Loop )
• Spin into the town for breakfast/lunch (Liberty Cafe and Ruby Ellen’s are solid options)
• Take a tour of the castle or rent a bike and spin along the Carlingford Greenway)

There are heaps of other things to do in Carlingford if the options above don’t tickle your fancy!

3. Meath (35-minute drive)

County Meath is another of the best day trips from Dublin by car. It’ll take you around 35 minutes by car to reach and there’s an endless number of things to do in Meath to keep you busy.

If you’re looking for a day-out in the Boyne Valley, here’s a mini itinerary to tackle:

• Book tickets for Newgrange in advance and do the tour
• Grab lunch in nearby Inside Out in Slane
• Take a ramble around the trails in Slane Castle
• Visit the ancient Old Mellifont Abbey

Or, of you fancy seeing more of Meath, check out the Hill of Tara , one of the most important archaeological sites in the country or Trim Castle , the best-preserved of the many Anglo-Norman castles in Ireland . 

4. The Mournes (2-hour drive)

One of the more impressive places to visit near Dublin by car are the Mourne Mountains in County Down.

Now, you’ll need to do a bit of planning if you opt for this Dublin day trip, as there’ll be a fair bit of walking involved.

If you’re visiting the area for the first time, I’d  strongly  recommend heading into Tollymore Forest Park (above) and then heading for lunch in Newcastle followed by a stroll on the beach.

Or, if you fancy a hike, there’s  heaps  of Mourne Mountain walks to tackle, like the tough Slieve Donard hike .

5. The Ring of Gullion + Newry (1.5-hours)

© Tourism Ireland photographed by Brian Morrison

One of the best day trips from Dublin that’s very regularly overlooked is the trip that takes in both the Ring of Gullion and a glorious corner of Rostrevor.

Start your road trip with the Slieve Gullion Drive or walk, depending on how you’re feeling (the walk is steep). Head into nearby Gather and Brew after for a bite-to-eat!

When you’re ready, take the spin out to Kilbroney Park – it’s here that you’ll find the Cloughmore Stone and the aptly named Kodak Corner.

If you’re looking for day tours from Dublin with plenty of walks, this one is hard to beat!

6. Kilkenny ( 1.5-hour drive)

Another of the best day trips from Dublin is Kilkenny. Now, while there are  plenty  of things to do in Kilkenny , many people make the mistake of think that there’s only the castle.

Head for the supposedly haunted Dunmore Cave , first, and take the tour. Then spin into the city and you have everywhere from the Smithwick’s Brewery and the castle to the Medieval Mile to choose from.

Food wise, there’s plenty of options in the city. If you need a reccy, both foodworks and Aroi Asian Fusion are worth a bash. Round off your day with a visit to Jerpoint Abbey . 

7. Options that require 2.5-hours+ driving

Although we’ve tackled several places to visit near Dublin by car above, there’s endless day tours from Dublin if you’re open to driving a bit further.

One of the more popular road trips from Dublin is to Cuilcagh (above) in Fermanagh. It’s around a 2.5-hour spin.

If you’re not afraid of a bit of driving, you could visit Waterford ( Coumshingaun Lough’s a tough but rewarding hike), Wexford and plenty more.

The best day tours from Dublin (organised / guided tours)

The second section of our guide is for those of you without a car and it contains a handful of carefully selected half day tours from Dublin with great reviews online.

If you don’t fancy taking an organised tour, we have a guide to some great day trips from Dublin by train , too.

Note: if you book a tour through one of the links below we  may make a tiny commission that helps us keep this site going. You won’t pay extra, but we really do appreciate it.

1. Cliffs of Moher, Kilmacduagh Abbey + Galway

I’m going to kick things off with arguably one of the best day tours from Dublin when it comes to reviews (it has 4.8/5 from 8,900+ reviews at the time of typing).

If you’re looking to escape the capital and explore a chunk of the west coast, this day tour from Dublin takes in the Cliffs of Moher , Dunguaire Castle , the Burren and plenty more.

Key info on the tour:

• Starts at: 6:45 AM
• Length:  13 hours
• Reviews: 4.8/5 from 8,900+ reviews
• Cost:  From €83 p/p

2. Giants Causeway, Dark Hedges, Dunluce + Belfast

Next up is another of the best day tours from Dublin when it comes to reviews (it has 4.8/5 from 4,000+ reviews at the time of typing).

This is a half day trip from Dublin that takes in some of the top attractions on the Causeway Coastal Route , like Dunluce Castle , The Dark Hedges and the Giant’s Causeway along with a 1.5-hour stop in Belfast City.

• Length:  12 hours
• Reviews: 4.8/5 from 4,000+ reviews
• Cost:  From €88 p/p

3. Kilkenny, Wicklow + Glendalough with Sheepdog Show

If you’re looking for short day trips from Dublin, this organised tour requires much less travelling than the previous two, and it currently has 4.8/5 from 1,400+ reviews.

This is one of the more popular half day trips from Dublin and it takes in Glendalough , the ancient city of Kilkenny and a very impressive sheepdog demonstration.

• Starts at: 08:00 AM
• Length:  9 hours
• Reviews: 4.8/5 from 1,400+ reviews
• Cost:  From €40.80 p/p

Read more + buy tickets

4. Rock of Cashel, Cahir + Blarney Castle

The next of our half day tours from Dublin is going to appeal to those of you looking to visit some of the most impressive castles in Ireland .

This is a 12-hour tour that includes the entrance fees to each of the attractions.

And, while there’s a good bit of driving involved, it’s broken up with the stops at Blarney Castle (the home of the Blarney Stone ), the Rock of Cashel and Cahir Castle.

• Starts at: 06:50 AM
• Reviews: 4.6/5 from 350+ reviews
• Cost:  From €85 p/p

5. Newgrange and the Boyne Valley

Another of the best one day trips drom Dublin takes you into the heart of the brilliant Boyne Valley to explore counties Louth and Meath.

You’ll take the tour of Newgrange, explore the Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre and see the ancient Monasterboice which is home to some magnificent Celtic Crosses .

• Starts at: Check when booking
• Length:  8 hours
• Reviews: 4.6/5 from 230+ reviews
• Cost:  From €75 p/p

6. Connemara Dublin Day tour

The last in our guide to the best day tours from Dublin is the Connemara tour – and it’s a busy one!

This Dublin day tour takes you across Ireland, past the Maumturk Mountains and on to Killary Harbour for a 1.5 hour boat cruise of the fjord.

It then continues on to Kylemore Abbey one of the more imppressive buildings in Ireland, before heading to Galway City where you can ramble around for just over an hour.

• Reviews: 4.2/5 from 467+ reviews

Dublin day trips: Which ones have we missed?

I’ve no doubt that we’ve unintentionally left out a brilliant day trip from Dublin (or 7!) from the guide above.

If you have a place that you’d like to recommend, let me know in the comments below and I’ll check it out!

FAQs about the best short day trips from Dublin

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘day trips in Ireland by car from Dublin? to ‘What are the most unique places to visit outside Dublin?’

In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.

What are the best day trips from Dublin?

In my opinion, the best day tours Dublin has to offer are Wicklow, Meath and Louth as they’re 1, close and 2, home to endless things to do.

What is the best organised one day trip from Dublin?

It depends. There are endless Dublin day trips to tackle. The tours above, particularly the Wicklow one and the Galway one, are worth checking out.

Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent most of the last 10 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 30 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries . Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.

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14 Top-Rated Day Trips from Dublin

Written by Meagan Drillinger Updated Apr 15, 2024 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

For a country as jam-packed with attractions and things to do as Ireland, visitors are often surprised at how easy it is to hit most of them. Drive a few hours in any direction from Dublin and you'll be able to reach most of Ireland's top tourist attractions in a single day.

You can visit iconic places like Blarney Castle and the Ring of Kerry ; world-class natural wonders, including the Cliffs of Moher and Giant's Causeway ; ancient sites, such as Glendalough and the megalithic tombs of Newgrange; and even the attractions of Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, with its impressive Titanic discovery center on the site where the great ship was built.

Getting around couldn't be easier. The main rail service in Ireland is Irish Rail , which will take travelers almost anywhere they want to go. If you're doing quick trips within Dublin proper or to a nearby suburb, DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) is the most convenient. It's the electric rail system that runs along the coast from Malahide or Howth down to Greystones in County Wicklow.

Dublin has many different coach bus services, including, but not limited to Bus Eireann , Aircoach , Dublin Coach . Because tourism to Ireland is so high, the country also has an abundance of package day tours that leave from Dublin. All of these options make it easy to arrange these trips without needing to rent a car.

Learn more about the nearby places to visit with our list of the best day trips from Dublin.

1. Cliffs of Moher

2. glendalough and kilkenny, 3. blarney castle and cork, 4. giant's causeway, 5. belfast and the titanic quarter, 6. newgrange and hill of tara, 7. ring of kerry, 8. powerscourt, 9. boyne valley and loughcrew celtic tombs, 10. connemara and galway, 11. howth and malahide, 12. dalkey and killiney, 13. killarney, map of day trips from dublin.

Ireland's most visited natural attraction , the soaring Cliffs of Moher rise to more than 214 meters above the crashing Atlantic in a wild and dramatic eight-kilometer coastline. Take time to walk the trail along the clifftop for views of the Aran Islands, and see displays about the geology and environment of the cliffs at the visitor center.

At the southwestern edge of the Burren, a region in County Clare that includes the wild, rocky landscapes of Burren National Park, the cliffs and the sea stack just offshore are home to thousands of seabirds.

By Car: Because the Cliffs of Moher are quite far from a rail station and it requires also taking a bus, it's easiest to do this day trip by car or on a guided tour. Drive time from Dublin is about three hours .

By Tour: Going on a guided tour will allow you to see many of Ireland's other west coast attractions. On the way from Dublin you can stop in Kilfenora for a visit of the Celtic High Crosses, or in County Limerick to visit the 13th-century King John's Castle, built on a Viking settlement and considered one of the best preserved Norman castles in Europe.

As well as a drive along Galway Bay for views of the Aran Islands and the 12 Bens, some tours also stop at Dunguaire Castle . On a 13-hour Cliffs of Moher Day Trip from Dublin , you can enjoy the beautiful County Clare countryside from an air-conditioned bus as an expert guide explains the area's geology and history. After a leisurely stroll on the path along the cliffs, you can explore the tiny town of Doolin, known for its music. Doolin is one of the most charming towns in Ireland.

Read More: From Dublin to the Cliffs of Moher: Best Ways to Get There

In a glacial valley below the Wicklow Mountains in County Wicklow, Glendalough was one of the most important monastic sites in Ireland. It was founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century and became known as the Monastic City . There are many things to see here, the most impressive being the well-preserved, 30-meter-tall Round Tower .

Near St. Mary's Church is the 12th-century Romanesque Priest's House; a tall granite cross dating to the sixth or seventh century; and the largest church, which dates to the 11th and 12th centuries.

Near Glendalough are two other interesting historic sites: the 11th-century Trinity Church and St. Saviour's Priory, with Romanesque stone carvings. Information at the visitor center will help you find and identify the various landmarks, and you can also follow marked nature trails.

If going on your own, you can take the bus from Dublin to Glendalough aboard the (aptly named) Glendalough Bus . The bus will pick you up in Dublin at St. Stephen's Green for the hour-and-20-minute drive . The bus operates year-round.

If you want to go to Kilkenny for the day, you can travel by train or bus. Irish Rail operates a route between Dublin Hueston and Kilkenny MacDonagh, which takes approximately an hour and a half .

You can also travel by the Dublin Coach (a.k.a. the Big Green Bus), which takes about an hour and 45 minutes and departs from Burgh Quay in Dublin.

If you're driving to Glendalough from Dublin, stop to admire the scenery of the Wicklow Mountains, including Wicklow Gap and the dramatic Turlogh Waterfall. On a 10-hour Kilkenny, Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough, Sheep Dog Trials, Day Trip from Dublin , in addition to traveling through the beautiful Wicklow Mountain National Park, you'll have a guided tour of the tower and other historic sites at Glendalough.

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Kilkenny, Ireland

For many, kissing the famous Blarney Stone is a highlight of their trip to Ireland, and it's easy to combine this with a sightseeing tour of the lush and rolling Irish countryside and visits to the cities of Cork and Cobh.

Even for those not interested in perfecting their Irish eloquence of speech by kissing the stone, Blarney Castle is worth seeing for its beautiful gardens and shopping at the famous Blarney Woollen Mills at the castle, an 1824 mill that has become a center for Irish weaving and knitting.

On the Blarney Castle Day Trip from Dublin , you can not only visit Blarney Castle and kiss the famous stone, but also visit the Rock of Cashel in County Tipperary. This spectacular hilltop medieval complex includes a 13th-century Gothic cathedral, a 12th-century round tower, a Romanesque Chapel with wall paintings, and a 15th-century castle. You'll also have time for some independent sightseeing in Cork City, where your local guide will recommend attractions.

Personally, Cork was one of my favorite cities in Ireland. I love Saint Fin Barre's Cathedral, which is one of the most beautiful Gothic cathedrals I've seen in my travels across Europe. I also highly recommend visiting Sin e' in the evenings for the live traditional music sessions.

There is no convenient way to get to Blarney Castle directly from Dublin using public transportation, so driving yourself or taking a tour will be the most convenient way. However, it is easy to get from Dublin to Cork via public transit. The trip on Irish Rail is about two and a half hours .

Aircoach operates 36 express daily services from Dublin City Centre to Cork, and this is a cheaper option.

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Cork

Northern Ireland's only UNESCO World Heritage Site , the strange polygon columns of basalt known as the Giant's Causeway are the result of a volcanic eruption 60 million years ago. The columns form oversized stairs and stepping stones that legend holds to be the work of the giant Finn McCool when he crossed to Scotland to battle his nemesis, Benandonner. On a clear day, you can see the Scottish shore, several giant steps away.

See more of the dramatic coastal scenery as you cross the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge , suspended high over the sea. If the coast looks familiar, it was the location for filming Game of Thrones, and you may see the avenue of beech trees called the Dark Hedges, which served as the King's Road. Day trips from Dublin can easily include other attractions in Northern Ireland.

The Northern Ireland Highlights Day Trip Including Giant's Causeway from Dublin tour includes a stop in Belfast , Northern Island's capital, for a city tour in a traditional black taxi. After a scenic drive along the Antrim coast, there is plenty of time at Giant's Causeway to learn about the geology of this natural wonder at Visitor Heritage Centre, as well as to walk across the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge.

There is no convenient way to get directly to Giant's Causeway from Dublin by bus or train. The trips will be upward of 5 hours and will include a transfer. The best way to get to Giant's Causeway from Dublin is to self-drive the 3-hour drive or to be part of a group tour. Just make sure your rental car is permitted to travel to Northern Ireland, as it is part of the United Kingdom. You will also need your passport.

Address: Causeway Road, Bushmills, Antrim, Northern Ireland

Read More: From Dublin to the Giant's Causeway: Best Ways to Get There

Northern Ireland's capital is a lively, colorful city that has faced its sometimes violent past and is determined to reinvent itself into a cultural capital. The prime tourist attraction is the waterfront Titanic Quarter , where the RMS Titanic was built more than 100 years ago and which was the epicenter of the city's long maritime heritage as the cornerstone of the British Empire's shipbuilding.

The striking star-shaped building of Titanic Belfast is already a city landmark, with state-of-the-art interpretive exhibits that trace Belfast's maritime history and the story of the Titanic with features that include an underwater exploration theater and re-created decks and cabins.

The Titanic Belfast Visitor Experience and Giant's Causeway Day Trip from Dublin combines Northern Ireland's two most popular tourist attractions into a single 13-hour excursion by luxury coach. After learning about the Titanic's voyage in the interactive discovery galleries and visiting the Ocean Exploration Centre to see how ocean behavior is tracked, the tour continues to the Giant's causeway, where there is plenty of time for the Visitor Heritage Centre and crossing the swaying Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge before returning to Dublin.

Getting to Belfast from Dublin could not be easier by train. The ride is roughly 2 hours from Dublin Connolly Station directly into the heart of Belfast. There are many coach bus services between Dublin and Belfast, but the Dublin Express is easiest from the City Centre. The ride is two and a half hours.

Address: 1 Queen's Road, Titanic Quarter, Belfast, Northern Ireland

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Belfast

Ireland's most important prehistoric sites lie close to each other, near the River Boyne. Newgrange is a huge passage tomb dating from the Neolithic period. Built around 3200 BC, it predates both Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids. The circular mound is supported by a retaining wall of white quartz stones and large stones carved in spiral and other designs. Inside are passages and chambers, and at the Winter Solstice, the rising sun illuminates the interior. Newgrange is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Hill of Tara plays large in Irish history and mythology as the traditional inauguration place of the ancient high kings. There are several stone structures here, the oldest of which is the megalithic tomb called the Mound of the Hostages , thought to have been built about 3000 BC. Earthworks here include two linked enclosures: a ring fort and a ring barrow.

You can step back in time to Celtic Ireland on this Celtic Boyne Valley Day Trip from Dublin , a full-day bus tour that includes the Loughcre with Celtic Tombs, the Hill of Uishneacht, and the Hill of Tara.

There is no direct route between Dublin and Newgrange via public transportation. The best option is to go via a tour or take a taxi.

Official site: www.newgrange.com

Scenic drives don't get any better than the 177-kilometer route around the Iveragh Peninsula known as the Ring of Kerry. It offers a non-stop panorama of ocean views, islands, lakes, and mountains, dotted with postcard villages. Day tours from Dublin vary, but most include the magnificent inland Lakes of Killarney and stop at viewpoints for Macgillicuddy Reeks , the 17-kilometer mountain range that includes Ireland's highest peak , Carrantuohill.

These and more are covered on the 15.5-hour Ring of Kerry Rail Trip from Dublin , which begins with a train ride to Mallow, in County Cork, before meeting a local professional guide and traveling by coach to the region's most majestic landmarks.

My favorite way to explore the Ring of Kerry is to do self-drive. I've done this route multiple times and it is one of the best things to do in Ireland. Self-driving may be a bit more work, but it allows for greater flexibility when it comes to making stops to explore. Some of my favorite stops in the Ring of Kerry include the town of Kenmare, Ross Castle, and Portmagee.

• Read More: Exploring the Top Attractions of the Ring of Kerry

The 47 acres of Powerscourt grounds were designed so the estate would blend harmoniously with the surrounding Wicklow countryside, especially Sugarloaf Mountain , which is framed as a stunning backdrop. More than 200 varieties of trees, shrubs, and flowers are arranged in formal beds along the promenades of the Italian Gardens and in other settings, including a charming Japanese Garden ; a Rose Garden; and Kitchen Gardens, where herbs and vegetables share the grounds with flowers.

The interior of the former manor house has been converted into an upscale shopping venue for Irish crafts and designs, including an Avcoa shop, one of Ireland's most revered brands. Powerscourt is often included in a scenic day tour of County Wicklow that also visits Glendalough and Wicklow Mountains National Park.

The most full-service way to visit Powerscourt from Dublin is through a guided tour. An eight-hour, small-group tour includes Powerscourt, along with Wicklow and Glendalough . It gives plenty of time to explore the home and grounds and the entry fee is reduced for those part of this tour.

Powercourt is just 20 minutes south of Dublin so you could take a taxi there, as well as the bus. The closest public transportation to the estate is the 44 bus , which drops visitors in Enniskerry village, just a quick walk from Powerscourt.

Address: Enniskerry, County Wicklow

Official site: http://powerscourt.com/

If Ireland's ancient Celtic past fascinates you, the Boyne Valley and its environs are the place to go. Set in beautiful Irish countryside are some of the oldest sites in Ireland, including the well-preserved passage tombs at Loughcrew Cairns . You can walk through winding stone passageways inside to see 6,000-year-old stone carvings on the walls. On the River Boyne, Trim Castle was built in the 1170s, and is Ireland's largest Anglo-Norman castle.

In County Louth are the ruins of the early Christian settlement and famous 10th-century Celtic crosses at Monasterboice . The crosses have biblical inscriptions, and the 5.5-meter Muiredach's High Cross is considered the best in Ireland, covered in intricate Celtic stone carving. Above it stands a round stone tower more than 30 meters tall that protected the monks from Viking raids.

Because this is such a rural and remote part of the Irish countryside, the best way to explore these sites is to take a tour or self-drive. You can visit all of these sites, along with the Hill of Tara (see above) and the town of Drogheda, a Danish settlement in the days of the Vikings, on Ireland's Ancient East Day Trip from Dublin including Boyne Valley . The 10-hour tour travels across the scenic Irish countryside by bus, accompanied by a local guide who relates the history and legends of these ancient sites.

The coast of western Ireland, north of Galway Bay, is an irregular one of bays and tiny inlets with sandy coves, islands, islets, and rocky points. Inland are rugged mountains, lakes, and villages of thatched cottages. At the center of the area is Connemara National Park , south of the scenic loughs (lakes) of Kylemore and Pollacapall, where you'll find the atmospheric 19th-century Kylemore Abbey with its lovely Victorian walled gardens . The coastal towns of Roundstone and Clifden , favorites for artists, are good stopping points for a seafood lunch.

On the Connemara and Galway City Day Tour from Dublin , you can combine highlights of Connemara with a visit to the historic city of Galway, Ireland's major trading port since the Middle Ages. On the included guided walking tour, you can still see reminders of the foreign influences its trade brought, such as the famous Spanish Arch .

If you'd like to spend more time here, the train ride from Dublin takes about 2.5 hours, and you'll find plenty of good places to stay in Galway. I recommend the g Hotel & Spa for a funky, modern hotel in a great location.

Galway is one of my favorite cities in Ireland for its maritime history, beautiful architecture, and vibrant restaurant scene. Quay Street is the most vibrant area if you're in town for only a little while.

Just north of Dublin, the Howth peninsula is an easy day trip from Dublin by DART train, with plenty of things to do. Along with the tidied-up fishing village itself, you can see Viking ruins and the impressive Howth Castle. If you arrive with an organized tour group, you can tour the castle's interior.

On the castle grounds is a Neolithic site , a dolmen with a 70-ton capstone. Views from Howth Head are spectacular, and on very clear days you can see the Dublin skyline. Also in Howth is the boyhood home of the poet William Butler Yeats. The DART train line also runs to Malahide , with a beautiful castle that's open to the public.

Walkers will enjoy the coastal path around Howth Head , with views of Dublin Bay and the Wicklow Mountains, and looking north to Lambay Island and the Mourne Mountains. The trail is easy to find; it begins at the Howth DART station.

South of Dublin, and reached from the city on the Bray/Greystones DART line, the neighboring towns of Dalkey and Killiney lie along the coast of the Irish Sea.

Dalkey once had seven medieval Norman castles, of which one, Dalkey Castle , survives and houses a Heritage Center. State-of-the-art interactive exhibits include fascinating anecdotes of local history, including tales from the time when Dalkey was the port of Dublin.

Just offshore, Dalkey Island was inhabited as long as 6,500 years ago, and has a burial cairn, two holy wells, and other early remains. The island is a short boat ride from either Bulloch Harbour or Coliemore Harbour.

Continuing south on the DART line, Killiney is a town of parks and affluent homes, with views of Dublin Bay and the Wicklow Mountains. A popular seaside resort in the 1800s, Killiney has a pebble beach. For the best views of a panorama that 19 th -century writers compared to Naples Bay (hence the abundant Italian place names), climb the steep hill to the summit of Killiney Hill Park

Official site: https://www.dalkeycastle.com

One of the main highlights of the Ring of Kerry is the bustling town of Killarney. A beginning or end point for the journey, Killarney has some wonderful sites and attractions in and around the city that are worth a visit. But travelers do not have to embark on the entire Ring of Kerry to see the best of Killarney. All they need is to take a day trip from Dublin.

This Kerry Highlights Day Tour from Dublin is a 14-hour jam-packed experience that will make sure visitors see everything Killarney has to offer. Travel along the coastal roads into Killarney National Park, stop by charming villages like Adare, and see the natural beauty of the Lakes of Killarney and Torc Waterfall.

Dublin Coach also has a direct bus from Dublin to Killarney. The trip is just over four hours.

One of the lesser visited cities of Ireland, Sligo Town is absolutely worth a day trip from Dublin. Less than a three-hour drive from the city center, Sligo is a coastal seaport and the capital of County Sligo. It is one of the most historic and culturally significant cities in Ireland and far enough off the tourist trail to have you feeling like you've discovered a secret for yourself.

Sligo sits on the Garavogue River. The centuries-old city has stunning historic architecture, like the medieval Sligo Abbey and the Lissadell House and Gardens. Just outside the city is the Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery.

Sligo is also the city that gave us W.B. Yeats. Visit the Yeats Society to learn all about this world-renowned poet and author. Yeats is buried at Drumcliffe Church, just outside the city. Sligo also sits in the shadow of Benbulben, a flat-topped rock formation that overlooks the rolling fields of the county. This protected site is one of the most impressive in all of Ireland.

If you decide to visit Sligo, this self-guided eBiking tour can be done in half a day and allows travelers to get around the city efficiently, taking in many of the historic sites that the city has to offer. Another way to visit Sligo is with this guided Sligo surfing tour . Sligo has some of the best waves in Ireland and this guided tour will take surfers of all levels.

You can take a direct train from Dublin Connolly station to Sligo in just over three hours. Bus Eireann operates a route from Dublin to Sligo, as well.

Read More: Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Sligo

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An independent guide to dublin by geoff and friends, 5 spectacular irish attractions outside of dublin.

If you plan to enjoy more than just a short break in Dublin, then we recommend you take a detour to explore more of the beautiful Emerald Isle. One of the great benefits of a holiday in Ireland is that every county – and there are 32 – has its own unique flavour and special attractions. Here is a list of five wonderful places outside of Dublin that we recommend you see during your holiday in Ireland.

Wexford is in the South East of Ireland, about 90 miles South of Dublin. A train service to Wexford from Dublin runs every few hours from Connolly Station – this service takes around two and a half hours to arrive. During your holiday, Wexford makes for a great overnight stop. Whilst there will be enough to keep you entertained in Dublin no matter how long your holiday, a trip further afield to a place like Wexford will add some real colour and great memories to your experience in Ireland.

Wexford faces the Irish Sea and is served by the River Slaney. The town of Wexford is famous for its waterfronts, and the county of Wexford has a ferry crossing from Fishguard to Rosslare. For many people, the county of Wexford is their first point of call in Ireland, and Wexford town is the first major town or city that they get to see on their Irish holiday.

Due to its location, Wexford is famous for its fresh fish dishes and local foods. More than this though, it is renowned for its beautiful seafronts, fresh air, and being the location for the famous beach invasion in ‘Saving Private Ryan’. Wexford is also famous for being the birthplace and home of novelist John Banville. No prizes for guessing the location that inspired his 2005 Booker Prize winning novel ‘The Sea’.

Given Wexford’s beautiful coastal location, its great food and proud culture, a trip to Wexford during your Dublin holiday is easily recommended. If you decide to take the Fishguard-Rosslare ferry to Ireland, and are driving, then after you have seen Wicklow, we also recommend the drive up North to Dublin through the stunning Wicklow Mountains.

There are many hotels in Wexford – most are of excellent quality and they all foster a real homely environment and genuine Irish experience. Among the very best is Glen Na Smole , which is only a 15 minute walk from the city centre. This hotel has excellent service and really friendly staff, who can’t do enough to ensure that you enjoy your trip – they are also a wealth of information on Wexford’s history and numerous tourist attractions.

Wexford also boasts a proud culinary tradition, particularly for seafood. As a town that attracts a lot of tourists, some of the restaurants tend to be quite expensive, however there are some excellent cheap options too. The Silver Fox Seafood Restaurant offers excellent value for those on holiday with their families.

If you are travelling to Dublin during October and you are on holiday for a couple of weeks or more, then we definitely suggest a trip to the Wexford Festival Opera . As Autumn takes hold in the rest of Ireland and the leaves drop, you can still find a real Spring in Wexford as the town comes alive for three weeks in October. To complement the Wexford Festival Opera, a host of other traditional events and exhibitions spring up too. The whole town becomes a party with traditional music festivals and the showcasing of local artwork.

October in Wexford is a real treat for the Dublin holidaymaker. Refreshed and invigorated after a weekend in this beautiful town, your senses are enlivened as you return to the excitement of Dublin.

The Wicklow Mountains

A trip to the Wicklow Mountains offers some of the most stunning beautiful views in all of Ireland. You can actually see the beginnings of the Wicklow Mountains from the centre of Dublin, as the Wicklow mountain range extends all the way into the County of Dublin where they are called ‘the Dublin Mountains’. If you are basing your holiday in Dublin, then it would be a real shame if you did not take the short one hour drive south to see these mountains up close.

There are a number of ways to get to the Wicklow Mountains. The northern-most part of the mountain range actually starts at Bray , which is served by the DART . The gentle walk South between Bray and Greystones will give you an excellent introduction to this stunning part of Ireland. This path, which never strays from the coast, features some excellent coastal views into the Irish Sea. You will also see some of Ireland’s birds in their most natural surroundings. To get to Bray you can take the DART from Connolly Station – the walk to Greystones will take you about two and a half hours. You can then take the DART all the way back to Connolly Station from Greystones – all in all, this trip can be done in an afternoon and will be well worth the effort – it would be a shame to holiday in Dublin and not take in some of the incredible coastal scenery that is only an hour away.

In order to travel further into the Wicklow Mountains from Dublin, there are a number of options available. One of the most beautiful and famous features of the Wicklow Mountains is Glendalough, which means valley of the two lakes, and holds Ireland’s most impressive monastic settlement. The monastery was founded by St Kevin in the 6th century and parts of this monastery still stand in Glendalough today. Michelle Obama famously visited Glendalough with her two children whilst her husband attended the G8 summit in Northern Ireland. Due to its international reputation, many buses run to this part of the mountains directly from Dublin city centre. St Kevin’s Bus is a twice-daily service that runs from opposite the Mansion on Dawson Street, which is just next to St Stephen’s Green. The buses leave Dublin at 11:30am in the morning and at 6pm in the evening. Between its 1500 years of history and its beautiful lakes, Glendalough is a must-see destination for those who want to know more about Ireland and its history.

For those who are even more adventurous still, Wicklow is one of the best camping areas in Ireland. Many local Dublin folk escape the hustle and bustle of Dublin by taking camping trips to some of the various woods in the Wicklow Mountains where they are often joined by adventurous travellers from all over Europe. A great place to set up camp is at Knocksink Wood in Enniskerry. These woods are served by the Glencullen River which provides fresh, crystal-clear water year-round. Knocksink Wood is just behind Enniskerry village. The number 44 bus runs regularly from O’Connell Street, right in the centre of Dublin, all the way to Enniskerry. From Enniskerry we suggest you speak to one of the locals and get directions into the woods – they will most likely be only too happy to give you advice, directions and suggestions.

The Giant’s Causeway

The Giant’s Causeway is known, amongst the Irish, as the ‘eighth wonder of the world’. A visit to this most unusual Irish natural landmark will clearly show you how the Giant’s Causeway came to be so famous in Ireland and the wider world. The legend of the Giant’s Causeway is as old as the island of Ireland itself. The legend says that an Irish giant called Fionn Mac Cumhaill (pronounced Finn McCool) looked across the sea and saw a Scottish giant called Benandonner, who became his rival. Fionn built steps through the sea that separates Ireland and Scotland, so that Benandonner could come to Ireland for a showdown. However, when Benandonner arrived, Fionn realised that he was far bigger than himself so he fled to the mountains. Whilst Benandonner searched for him, Fionn cleverly disguised himself as a baby. When Benandonner saw how big this baby was he thought the father Fionn, must be far bigger than himself so he fled back to Scotland, ripping up the steps that Fionn had built up behind him.

When you see these ‘steps’ it is fairly easy to see how this legend held such credibility for such a long time in Ireland’s history. The ‘steps’, which are formed by the sea coming into the coast at different angles, look like they have been made by master craftsmen. One of the most memorable things you can do on your holiday in Ireland is step onto these amazing rock formations, and climb between each of these steps, each of which is like a miracle of nature.

A cheap way to get to the Giant’s Causeway is to take the 7am train to Belfast from Connolly Station. You can then join one of Allen’s tours – they run coaches to the Causeway from the train station in Belfast. If you are only taking a short break in Dublin then this trip can feasibly be done in just a day, however if you are going to stay a night in Belfast then the choice of hotels is huge and you will find the accommodation in Belfast to be slightly cheaper than in Dublin.

Kilkenny town and Kilkenny Castle

The Medieval town of Kilkenny is around 70 miles from Dublin and makes for a great destination for a day trip or an overnight stay during your Dublin holiday. Kilkenny is most famous for its castle and its long tradition of creating excellent hurling teams that tend to win the all-Ireland Hurling finals more often than not.

Kilkenny Castle is a real gem of a holiday destination: its grounds, gardens and stately rooms are among the most impressive in Ireland and second only to Dublin castle in terms of grandeur. The Great Hall is the most impressive room in Kilkenny Castle – it is a long wooden pillared stately room that dates all the way back to the 12th century. The room is full of old paintings and furniture, adding to the grandeur and sense of history. Equally impressive are the splendid lawns that surround the castle. The lawns are so big and beautifully preserved that you may feel you are looking out over a quiet sea of green when you see them from inside the castle. What better way to spend an afternoon of your holiday, than strolling slowly around some of the most beautiful gardens in the whole of Europe?

Kilkenny Castle is fairly cheap to get around – prices are set at 6 Euros and include an audiovisual presentation. Irish Rail have regular trains that go to Kilkenny from Dublin Heuston Station – you can expect the journey to last around an hour and a half. If you and love splendid gardens and grounds, and also like to combine a bit of history with your holiday, then Kilkenny Castle is truly the best choice of venue for a day-break from Dublin during an extended holiday.

As a magnet for tourists, staying in Kilkenny is not cheap, however, there are some budget options available. The Laurels B&B Guesthouse is a nice place to stay if you are looking for a cheap and cheerful option – a twin room can usually be booked online for far cheaper than 100 Euros. There are also several standard hotel options in Kilkenny, including the Hotel Kilkenny , which is right in the centre of Kilkenny and only minutes away from all the major local attractions. Kilkenny enjoys a fine reputation for excellent restaurants; it is also famed for its lively and welcoming nightlife. You can combine the two experiences with a trip to the 12th century Kyteler’s Inn where cheap food can be found as easily as great stories, lively traditional music and fun.

Tipperary and the Rock of Cashel

In recent years Tipperary, which is situated in the Midlands of Ireland, has become increasingly popular as a destination for tourists from all over the world, and the Rock of Cashel is the county’s star attraction.

Tipperary is a predominantly rural county that has many attractive towns and villages with a fresh and warm feel to them. All visitors are always made welcome and the ambitious traveller can really gain an understanding of the county, which many see as the true heart of Ireland. In fact, a visit to Tipperary during your Dublin holiday will give you a glimpse of the two opposites of Irish life: the hustle and bustle of a major European city; and the rural charm which whilst now lost to Dublin is not lost throughout Ireland and certainly not in Tipperary.

Cashel was the capital of Munster for many centuries before the Norman invasions in the 1100s, and is now a site that attracts many visitors to Tipperary. Whilst much of this old castle has now fallen to ruins, there are still some impressive parts left standing. The Round Tower is the oldest surviving part of the castle – at 900 years old it remains an impressive, imposing piece of architecture. Round towers used to be used by monks who would escape the attention of invaders by locking themselves in and climbing to the top with their treasures.

There is a wonderful little guesthouse in Cashel called Bailey’s which is very near the Rock itself. This hotel has excellent rooms and the service is some of the best you will encounter anywhere in Ireland.

Cashel does not have its own train station – the nearest station to it is in Thurles. Once in Thurles you can very easily find a bus that will take you to Cashel. Bus Éireann also has a service that goes from Dublin to Cashel – this is a cheaper method of travel but will take longer.

Dublin Ireland > 5 spectacular Irish attractions outside of Dublin

Best Ways to See the Irish Countryside from Dublin

Posted by Ali Finnegan on 6th January 2021

Dublin, Ireland’s Capital City, is known for its rich history, lively atmosphere and, of course, world-famous pubs. While Dublin has no shortage of tourist attractions, many visitors to Ireland want to explore further afield. It’s no secret that the Irish countryside is home to enchanting folklore, lush landscapes and beautiful flora and fauna. Are you planning a trip to Dublin? One of the perks of the quaint size of the Emerald Isle is that the countryside is never too far away. Read on to find out the best ways to see the Irish countryside from Dublin…

Train Services

There are three train services available in Dublin, DART trains, Commuter trains and LUAS trams, all of which are run by Irish Rail. DART stands for ‘Dublin Area Rapid Transit’ and is a high-frequency service connecting Dublin City Centre with coastal suburbs, running from North Dublin to County Wicklow. The DART offers one of the best ways to see the Irish countryside from Dublin.

Take the DART southwards to Wicklow, the Garden of Ireland. Stop in the seaside town of Greystones and enjoy the coastal hike to Bray. Take a stroll along the beach before enjoying a delicious Fish and Chips from one of the town’s iconic seafront vendors.

Fancy something different? Take the DART northbound to Malahide, home to the beautiful Malahide Castle and Gardens , one of the oldest castles in Ireland. Take a guided tour to learn about the castle’s fascinating history and explore the beautiful botanical gardens from just €14.

Wild Rover Day Tours

Wild Rover Tours is Ireland’s award-winning day tour provider, and undoubtedly one of the best and most convenient ways to experience the beautiful Irish countryside from Dublin. Wild Rover Day Tours depart Dublin City Centre daily, whisking guests away to some of the Emerald Isle’s best scenic locations and tourist attractions in comfort and style on luxurious coaches.

The Wild Atlantic Way is home to some of Ireland’s most spectacular scenery, from towering cliffs to beautiful beaches and everything in between. Experience some of the highlights of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way with Wild Rover Tours on a day trip from Dublin to the iconic Cliffs of Moher, the beautiful Burren and the vibrant city of Galway, the Cultural Capital of Ireland.

Framed by the Irish Sea and the River Shannon, and home to over 5000 years of history, the east of Ireland is as historic as it is beautiful. Experience Ireland’s Ancient East on a day tour from Dublin with Wild Rover Tours. Stroll the cobbled streets of Kilkenny and hike the hills of Glendalough, County Wicklow.

Calling all Thronies! Travel out of Dublin for a day with Wild Rover Tours and visit the scenic locations where some of the most iconic blood-curdling Game of Thrones scenes were filmed, including the city of Braavos, the Keep of House Greyjoy, the King’s Road, and more! Learn more about our Game of Thrones tour here .

Public Bus Services

Dublin is served by a number of bus services, including Dublin Bus, Bus Eireann and GoAhead Ireland. If you want to see the sights of the city there are several hop-on hop-off tours available however, if you want to experience the Irish countryside from Dublin, Dublin Bus is a great option.

Powerscourt Estate is located in the wild Wicklow countryside and is best known for its spectacular house and landscaped gardens. The 47-acre estate is set on the backdrop of the Wicklow Mountains and offers magnificent views of the Sugarloaf Mountain and the surrounding lush countryside. Take Dublin Bus, number 44, from the city centre to Enniskerry, a short walk to Powerscourt Estate. Spend time exploring the magnificent landscape and experience the highest waterfall in Ireland, set in a beautiful landscape at the foothills of the mountains.

Thank you for reading our blog ‘Best Ways to See the Irish Countryside from Dublin’. Discover the best bits of Ireland and book your day tour from Dublin with Wild Rover Tours.

Beautiful places to visit in Dublin outside the center of the capital

There is more to the Irish capital than its city center

• 19:31, 19 SEP 2023

Most tourists in Dublin will spend all of their time in the city center. At least, they'll spend a good chuck of it there.

That's understandable when you think about the amount of attractions that are located in Dublin City Centre. From the Guinness Storehouse to Temple Bar to Trinity College to the Irish Whiskey Museum, many of Dublin's top-rated tourist attractions are located in the center of the city.

However, those who want to go off the beaten track and experience something a little different from most tourists can find more to do outside the center of Dublin. From gorgeous seaside villages to quaint walks to some of the best restaurants in Ireland, the surrounding areas of Dublin have plenty to offer visitors to the city.

If you have the time while you are visiting the capital of Ireland, we recommend spending some outside of the city center to get a true taste of Dublin, as it is known by locals in the city.

Here are our top picks for places to spend some time outside Dublin City Centre when visiting the Irish capital.

Howth is a stunning seaside town in the north of Dublin City. Whether it's the middle of summer or the depths of winter, Howth is a stunning place to be.

There is the mighty cliff walk for the hikers or if you're in the market for a more relaxed walk, there's the pier. Additionally, you are spoiled for choice in terms of great bars and restaurants, especially when you're looking for local seafood.

Grand Canal/Portobello

Walking along the Grand Canal in Dublin through the neighborhood of Portobello is a stunning experience, especially in Autumn when the leaves are golden brown. Portobello is located just south of the city center.

Malahide is located north of Dublin City and is a gorgeous seaside town. There is a lovely beach here as well as Malahide Castle and Gardens, and we recommend tourists spend some time here when visiting the Irish capital.

Dun Laoghaire

Dun Laoghaire, although difficult for tourists to pronounce, is a fantastic place for visitors to spend some time when in Dublin. The town is located south of the city and offers a lovely pier walk, some great parks, great bars and restaurants, and wonderful opportunities for sea swimming.

Blackrock is also located in south Co Dublin and is another great seaside town to visit. Here, you can stroll along the seafront before heading into one of the gorgeous restaurants here for top-quality food.

St Anne's Park

St Anne's Park is located in Clontarf, north of the city center. The huge park has plenty of walking trails, some of which take you along the scenic coast. It is also in close proximity to Bull Island, which also makes for a lovely walk.

Ireland's Eye

Fancy a boat trip? You can get to Ireland's Eye from Howth Pier.

The uninhabited island allows you to see Dublin from a unique vantage point. There are beaches and some walking trails that make for a lovely little day outside the city center of Dublin.

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22 Best Things to Do in Dublin, Ireland

Locals might say Dublin is full of "craic" (good times), with a healthy mixture of history and little debauchery that can be found on nearly every street corner. Start in the north at Phoenix Park and head south to the River Liffey, cross the famous

• All Things To Do

Trinity College and The Book of Kells Trinity College and The Book of Kells

Note: The Old Library is undergoing a massive restoration and conservation effort. While the Old Library will remain open for visits until construction begins in 2025, all books have been removed from the shelves. The Book of Kells is still on display and there will be a new exhibit about this important manuscript.

U.S. News Insider Tip: This must-see attraction is worth the (typically) long wait. The gift shop is a particularly good spot to pick up inspiring gifts and souvenirs to commemorate your trip. – Rachael Hood

St. Patrick's Cathedral St. Patrick's Cathedral

U.S. News Insider Tip: After seeing the sights, take a short walk to the cozy Brazen Head pub, said to be the oldest pub in Dublin. Come for the fish and chips but stay for the live music. – Elizabeth Von Tersch

St. Patrick's Cathedral is the largest cathedral in Dublin and the national cathedral of the Church of Ireland. Built on the site where St. Patrick is said to have baptized converts some 600 years earlier, this massive cathedral was erected between 1220 and 1259 with major restorations beginning in the 1860s. It remains one of the few buildings still standing from medieval Dublin.

Chester Beatty Library Chester Beatty Library free

Widely known as one of the mote notable museums in Europe, the Chester Beatty Library is often overlooked by tourists. The library is home to an extensive collection of rare books, manuscripts and drawings dating back to 2700 B.C. The museum includes religious and artistic collections from across Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and Europe.

The library's namesake comes from the American mining millionaire and collector, Sir Alfred Chester Beatty, who donated his immense collection to Ireland when he passed in 1968. Works include Babylonian clay tablets, the Biblical Papyri and more than 250 different manuscripts of the Quran.

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St. Stephen's Green St. Stephen's Green free

This beautiful park (known for remaining green throughout the year) is a great place to spend a day outside without leaving central Dublin. It's been enjoyed by locals and visitors since 1880 when Arthur Edward Guinness re-opened it as a public park after it served as a private community for the wealthier residents of Dublin for more than century.

These days, the park is maintained by the Office of Public Works and includes a playground and garden for people with blindness or low vision. The green space is also home to several monuments dedicated to some of Ireland's most important figures, including James Joyce and Arthur Edward Guinness. Past visitors appreciated the peaceful grounds and described it as a great place to relax in the middle of the city. Reviewers also praised the park's cleanliness and recommended future visitors pack a picnic to enjoy the tranquil atmosphere.

EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum

This interactive museum details 1,500 years of Irish history, with stories of the 100 million people who left Ireland, how and where they lived, and their impact on the rest of the world. State-of-the-art interactive exhibits feature touch screens, quizzes and audio and video recordings, which bring Irish history to life. Everything from Irish music and dance to Irish literature to touching letters home, reveal the Irish emigrant experience from multiple points of view.

Recent visitors called the museum highly educational and informative and said it's a must-see for anyone of Irish descent.

Phoenix Park Phoenix Park free

When the hustle and bustle of the city gets to be too much, seek refuge in Phoenix Park, one of the largest enclosed parks in a European capital. Encompassing more than 1,700 acres, Phoenix Park features plenty of lush green lawns, shady wooded areas and cool, clean lakes. Once upon a time, it was the royal hunting park (in the 1600s) and opened to the public in 1747. To this day, visitors can encounter fallow deer.

Travelers can start out at the park's Visitor Centre & Ashtown Castle to learn about the history of the park and tour the medieval tower that dates back to the 17th century. The park is also home the 78-acre Edwardian estate, the Farmleigh House , which still acts as a working farm as well as a Victorian walled kitchen garden. Recent visitors called the park beautiful, clean and peaceful.

Kilmainham Gaol Kilmainham Gaol

U.S. News Insider Tip: While a prison may not be the most uplifting place to visit, a tour here really provides insight into the lives of the Irish people and the hardships they endured. – Rachael Hood

According to many, this gaol , or jail, gives its visitors one of the most unique looks into the darker side of Irish history. Occupied from 1796 to the 1920s, the prison housed many famous figures in the fight for Irish independence, including Thomas Francis Meagher and James Connolly, and was also the site for more sinister executions and hangings. Additionally, the prison acted as a transportation point for approximately 4,000 prisoners to Australia – then a penal colony – in the early 19th century. The gaol was known for the harsh treatment of its inhabitants, with no segregation by gender until 1861 when men were transferred to the newly built East Wing. It was later abandoned in 1924 and reopened as a museum in 1966 (though remodeling and updates have taken place since).

National Gallery of Ireland National Gallery of Ireland free

If you're an art lover, make sure to save some time for this extensive (and free!) museum, which has housed Ireland's national art collection since 1854. Here you'll find numerous works by such renowned artists as Caravaggio, Vincent van Gogh and the French impressionists. But the main attractions are works from some of Ireland's masters, with an impressive collection of works by notable residents such as Jack B. Yeats and Helen Mabel Trevor. The National Gallery also hosts notable traveling exhibitions as well as concerts and lectures.

Recent visitors called the museum outstanding and well worth a visit. If you're a fan of the arts, previous travelers recommended you set aside several hours to tour the museum. You'll also want to grab a map at the entrance as its collections are spread out.

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Dublin Castle Dublin Castle

Right in the heart of the city, the site of the Dublin Castle has played a part in Ireland's history since the land was used by Vikings to build a fortress in the 900s. Parts of the castle were built and torn down through the ages, but the oldest remaining structure, the Record Tower, dates back to the 13th century.

In addition to having been a stronghold against foreign attacks on the city, the castle and its grounds have also been home to a prison, an office of record, a water station, a seat of parliament, a royal court for entertainment and a military residence – all before 1850. The castle grounds were also the site where the Easter Rebellion of 1916 began, and after five years of fighting, where the treaty that granted Irish independence was signed. Many previous visitors recommended taking the guided tour, which they say is more extensive and informative that the self-guided tour.

Christ Church Cathedral Christ Church Cathedral

Formally known as the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, the Christ Church Cathedral has been visited for almost 1,000 years. Originally a Viking church founded in 1030, Archbishop Laurence O'Toole (the future patron saint of Dublin) merged it with the Irish Church in 1152. The Romanesque gothic church is known for its magnificent architecture and its famous bells (one of which is from 1738). This church also holds the largest and oldest crypt in Ireland and is full of historical objects of worship. Among the items stored in this church is a royal plate given by King William III, a rare 14th-century copy of the Magna Carta Hiberniae, and the heart of St. Laurence O'Toole. There's even a morbid oddity of a mummified cat and rat, better known as Tom and Jerry, frozen in eternal pursuit on display for all to gawk at.

Past visitors declare that it's a must-see attraction when visiting Dublin and it's quite affordable as well. Self-guided audio tours – included in your ticket fee – are available and recommended to get an experience filled with hidden facts and stories. Others say it's still a great place to wander about without the audio.

Jameson Distillery Bow St. Jameson Distillery Bow St.

Did you know that in Irish, whiskey is called  uisce beatha  and literally translates to "the water of life"? Chronicling the history of the Jameson family and the "water" they're known for, the Jameson Distillery no longer makes the hard stuff (that's done elsewhere) though it does offer tours that provide insight on just how to do it. Whiskey drinkers hail the 45-minute guided tour (and the included tastings) as informative and fun, with energetic guides and a beautiful refurbished facility.

Whether you're a fan of whiskey or not, learning about the history is sure to entertain anyone. Even non-drinkers say they enjoyed the informative tour. Learning that the founder of the most famous Irish whiskey, John Jameson, was actually a Scotsman is a favorite tidbit. Or that the Latin on the bottle's label,  Sine Metu , means "without fear."

Guinness Storehouse Guinness Storehouse

Like the Jameson Distillery , the Guinness Storehouse is no longer a functioning brewery, but it will give you an insider's view into the history and process behind the storied stout. Take the self-guided tour through the former brewery's seven floors to learn about the history of the one-of-a-kind beer, from the ingredients used in the brewing process to the iconic advertisements seen around the world. At the top, you'll be treated to a complimentary pint and city views from its rooftop Gravity Bar.

The best part of the tour for some visitors? The complimentary pint at the end along with the rooftop views. Even non-beer drinkers enjoyed the storehouse for its interactive and multimedia exhibits, but noted that during peak times they can be crowded. Other comment that tickets are a bit pricey. To make sure you get in at your preferred time, book your tickets online in advance. If you sign up for one of the best Dublin tours , you'll likely also visit the storehouse.

The Little Museum of Dublin The Little Museum of Dublin

To discover Dublin, head on over to The Little Museum of Dublin to learn about the city's illustrious history in approximately 30 minutes. Located in a quaint 18th-century Georgian townhouse near St. Stephen's Green , this charming museum was founded in 2011, with more than 5,000 artifacts donated by Dubliners. You'll find items from Queen Victoria's visit, a copy of James Joyce's "Ulysses" and tokens from the Abbey Theatre's long history. There's even an exhibit on the top floor dedicated to the rise of U2 featuring signed albums, photographs, and gig tickets.

Being that the museum is so small, it's best to book a tour in advance as tickets sell out quickly. You can walk around on your own, but a guided tour is highly recommended and should not be missed, according to travelers. Museumgoers routinely praise the lively guides who left everyone – even small children – mesmerized.

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Grafton Street Grafton Street free

U.S. News Insider Tip: If you're looking for something special to bring home from your trip, head to Weir & Sons for fine Irish jewelry, Brown Thomas is a lovely department store to peruse and Avoca on nearby Suffolk Street has Irish-made Avoca Mill Handweavers wool goods. For a treat, tuck into Bewley's Cafe for coffee or tea and a scone. – Rachael Hood

When you need a break from all the museums and historical sites, head to Grafton Street. This pedestrian street – which runs from  Trinity College to  St. Stephen's Green  – is Dublin's premier shopping district. Here, you'll find everything from familiar brands to more unique items like quirky shoes and used books. There are also two shopping centers in the area, the Stephen's Green Shopping Centre and the upscale Powerscourt Centre. So, if you're looking for a place to exercise your credit card, this would be it.

Temple Bar Temple Bar free

Often compared to Bourbon Street in New Orleans , this neighborhood is Dublin's famous party hub. During the day, this district thrives on artistic vision, featuring numerous independent galleries and performance art venues. At night, dozens of pubs (including one with the same name as the district) open their doors to those looking to share a pint of Guinness and click their heels to spirited Irish music.

Many visitors say the district has become more of a tourist trap than an authentic representation of Dublin's pub culture, but while in Dublin it is a sight one must see. Pull up a chair, order a (likely overpriced) pint and enjoy the music. For help navigating the crowds, sign up for one of the best Dublin tours , many of which stop in the area.

Abbey Theatre Abbey Theatre

U.S. News Insider Tip: Be sure to check out the nearby National Leprechaun Museum . It may sound a little cheesy, but this museum is dedicated to preserving Irish folklore and myths about the fair folks plus other Irish heritage tales through the art of oral storytelling. – Yolanda Evans

Although the Abbey Theatre looks quite contemporary, even swanky with its glass front and the theater name bathed in blue light, the performance venue has turn-of-the-century origins. Famed poet, W.B. Yeats, along with another Irish writer, Lady Augusta Gregory, opened the national theater in 1904. It's since been rebuilt and now features 620 seats between  the Abbey and Peacock auditoriums and a continuous playbill of Ireland's most promising playwrights.

Wicklow Mountains National Park Wicklow Mountains National Park free

U.S. News Insider Tip: Spend time in Glendalough  exploring the ancient ruins of the Christian settlement nestled in between two beautiful lakes. Then pick up a bottle of Glendalough whiskey or gin with the image of Saint Kevin plastered on the bottle to remind you of your visit. – Yolanda Evans

Just south of Dublin, Wicklow National Park is one of Ireland's largest parks consisting of more than 20,000 hectares (more than 50,000 acres) of winding mountain paths, bogs, lakes and breathtaking views for all that venture to the park. There are plenty of hiking trails – like the Wicklow Way – for outdoorsy travelers who want to spend more time in nature. For less adventurous visitors, you can seek out historical sites such as the old mine ruins or take a drive around the Great Military Road for a stunning view of the mountains. Also, be sure to check out Glenmacnass waterfall for photo for your Instagram!

Dublin Zoo Dublin Zoo

The biggest attraction within Phoenix Park is the Dublin Zoo. Opened by the Zoological Society of Ireland in 1831 with just four acres, this zoo is one of the oldest of its kind in Europe. The zoo's first collection included monkeys, lions, bears and parrots; an elephant and rhinoceros later joined the collection as rentals (though London gifted the zoo an elephant in 1835). Today, Dubin Zoo spans nearly 70 acres and is home to more than 400 animals in a variety of large habitats. Popular exhibits include the Humboldt penguins and western lowland gorillas. Recent visitors praised the zoo for its size, cleanliness and obvious commitment to the care of its animals. Others note that the zoo can get extremely busy, especially in the peak summer season. After you leave, you can keep a keen eye on the animals via webcam.

The zoo is open every day starting at 9:30 a.m. and closing at 6 p.m. Admission costs 22.50 euros (about $24) for adults and 17 euros (about $18) for children ages 3 to 15. Family tickets and tickets or visitors who need additional assistance are also available. If you book online, you'll save a few euros. Learn more on its website .

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Farmleigh House & Estate Farmleigh House & Estate

U.S. News Insider Tip: After wandering the estate grounds soaking up the history, treat yourself to a little snack and drink at the on-site restaurant, The Boathouse, for Italian and Irish cuisine. Located along the beautiful lake, it's the ideal setting for rest and relaxation. – Yolanda Evans

Once the home of the famous Guinness family, Farmleigh was purchased in 1999 by the government to house visiting dignitaries. This lavish Edwardian estate is nestled on 78 acres that includes the main house, a walled and sunken garden, a beautiful lake and the famous clock tower. Then there's the large collection of art as well as a rare collection of rare books and manuscripts in the library that remained in the house to be on display for visitors. Also on-site is the charming Cowshed theater where artists and performers can showcase their craft. As a bonus, there's a food and craft market behind the Gallery on the first Sunday of the month from Easter Sunday to December.

Glasnevin Cemetery Glasnevin Cemetery free

U.S. News Insider Tip:  After visiting the cemetery, stop by  John Kavanagh – better known as "The Gravediggers" – for a pint. This bar's nickname was coined because gravediggers used to visit this pub after completing their shift. – Yolanda Evans

Opened in 1832, Glasnevin Cemetery was once one of the few places where Irish Catholics could be buried. It was founded by Daniel O'Connell, who largely helped remove restrictions on Irish Catholics in the early 1800s. Not only is Glasnevin the final resting place for O'Connell, but it's also the burial location for other famous Irish icons like politician Charles Stewart Parnell; the co-founder of the Irish Republican Army Michael Collins; and politician and first female cabinet minister in Ireland, Countess Markievicz. In fact, more than 1.5 million souls are buried in this cemetery. The tombs are also a great work of art, as many are adorned with Irish symbols such as the harp and clovers. There are also indoor exhibits exploring the cemetery's history and burial practices from around the world. With so much to offer, it's little wonder that Glasnevin is Ireland's national cemetery.

St. Michan's Church St. Michan's Church

Located about a block from the Old Jameson Distillery , St. Michan's Church was founded in 1095 and is the oldest church on the north side of the River Liffey in Dublin. Rebuilt in 1686 by William Robinson, this church has a stunning vaulted ceiling and a large pipe organ. In fact, the organ is rumoured to be the one that George Friedrich Handel played when performing "Messiah" for the first time. Besides the history and architecture, the main draw to this church is its famous, yet eerie, crypts that contain the mummified remains of Dublin's most notorious residents dating back to the 17th century. Among the dead in the vaults are Irish rebels John and Henry Sheares, Earls of Leitrim, and Wolfe Tone. There are also four mummified corpses on display without lids, famously called the Unknown, the Thief, the Nun and the Crusader.

Travelers say visits to St. Michan's Church were still interesting due to their engaging tour guide who entertained them with the historical facts and spooky tales. 

National Museum of Ireland – Natural History National Museum of Ireland – Natural History free

Note: The National Museum of Ireland – Natural History is undergoing extensive renovation. At this time, only the ground floor is open to visitors.

Nicknamed the "Dead Zoo" due to it being a zoological museum, the National Museum of Ireland on Merrion Street was opened in 1867. It features exhibits of animals native to Ireland like badgers, golden eagles, mussels, trout and insects (Ireland is home to some 12,000 of them!). Also available is the Wonder Cabinet, a take on the Victorian curiosity cabinets that showcases about two million scientific specimens of mammals, birds, and insects. This unique space also doubles as a filming location – it was featured in an episode of "Ripper Street" and "Penny Dreadful" – due to its charming architecture.

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The Best Outdoor Activities in and Around Dublin

Dublin is a city that begs to be explored. Be it for history, culture, communion or cheer, you can find something on every street corner, so head out and take it all in – don’t just spend your holiday in Temple Bar.

The temptations of a trip to Dublin are obvious. At some point, you’ll want a pint of Guinness. At another, you’ll want whiskey (not ‘whisky’ – never make that mistake with an Irishman). You’ll want to catch a game of hurling , see a fiddle player and buy something with a shamrock motif. And who can blame you? But there is far, far more to the Irish capital than stag-dos and shillelaghs; beyond the tourist traps of Temple Bar, there is a city that has everything you could ever want. Get out of the pubs – at least for a little while – and do Dublin properly.

1. The Ha’penny Bridge

2. Dollymount Strand

Natural Feature

You’re not likely to get the sweltering weather of St Tropez when heading to Dollymount Strand, but there is no better place to take in the astonishing natural beauty surrounding the capital. The walk to the beach is breathtaking enough: a sweeping promenade that takes you along Bull Wall, with the majesty of Dublin Bay in front of you, and the ocean air in your lungs. But once you arrive, you’ll find yourself captivated by the flat, nearly infinite plains tracing far off into the distance, barracked by undisturbed sand dunes. You’ll feel like you’re a million miles from the city centre, or any city centre. And if you’re lucky, you might see an otter.

3. The National Botanic Gardens

Botanical Garden

For the green-thumbed traveller, or for anyone who just appreciates a good garden, the National Botanic Gardens in the northern neighbourhood of Glasnevin is a perfect place to spend an afternoon. Founded in 1795, after being sold to the Irish Parliament by the poet Thomas Tickell, the gardens are one of Dublin’s most popular attractions, as well as the site of extensive horticultural research. The gardens even serve as a safe haven for over 300 species of plants that are endangered in the wild, and six that have become extinct in the wild altogether, so you can guarantee that you’ll be marvelling at plants that you may not ever see again. Just don’t pull on their leaves, no good can come of it.

4. Garden of Remembrance

As one of Ireland’s most sombre and hallowed spaces, the Garden of Remembrance, tucked away in Parnell Square, is as necessary a visit for locals as it is for tourists. Dedicated to the struggle for Irish freedom that so beset the nation until its eventual liberation from the British, the Garden of Remembrance is tranquil and well manicured, but unflinching in its use of symbolism. Statues and plaques show visions of battles past, as poems commemorate the sacrifice of Irish revolutionaries like James Connolly, Maud Gonne and Constance Markievicz. Without their agitation and faith in the cause of a free and equal Ireland, Dublin would not be the city it is today.

5. Dublin Castle

Building, Historical Landmark

6. Phoenix Park

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The 28 best things to do in Dublin

From a blossoming food scene to literary royalty, these are the very best things to do in delightful Dublin right now

Dublin does it all. If you’re looking for a raucous weekend of hitting iconic pubs and all the live entertainment one can handle, the Irish capital is one of the best cities on the planet. If you prefer your nights to be a little quieter but the days to be filled with history, culture and beauty, well, come on in.

The best things to do in Dublin cover fascinating museums, arts venues, parks and, yes, pubs. Inspiration waits around every corner here, and don’t be surprised if you come away with ideas brimming from every pore. That might be Guinness as well, but there’s no point getting too finicky about it all. Here are the best things to do in Dublin right now.

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This guide was last updated by Cían Byrne , a writer based in Dublin. At Time Out, all of our   travel guides   are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our   editorial guidelines .

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Best things to do in Dublin

1.  Kilmainham Gaol

• price 1 of 4

Get a feel for the conditions in which prisoners lived – and died – at this former jail. Hear stories of the rebel leaders and Irish Republicans imprisoned at Kilmainham, and the key role the prison has played in Irish history. It’s just outside the city centre, and nearby you’ll also find the Irish Museum of Modern Art and, if you fancy something to eat, neighbourhood favourites Storyboard.

2.  Glasnevin Cemetery

• Attractions

Glasnevin Cemetery  on the city’s northside is the final resting place of some of Ireland’s most influential people, including some celebrities and many who played major roles in the East Rising and the War of Independence.  Book a tour  with a guide and learn about Luke Kelly, Brendan Behan, Micheal Collins, Éamon de Valera and more. Oh, and the Gravediggers pub beside the cemetery pours one of the best pints of Guinness in Dublin.

📍 Check out more of the best pubs in Dublin

3.  Phoenix Park

• Parks and gardens

Fact; all the great European cities have a great city park. In Dublin’s case, Phoenix Park gifts the urban landscape its requisite flash of green. A popular haunt of locals with dogs, Phoenix Park is home to both a herd of deer and the Irish president, who lives at Áras an Uachtaráin. If you’re a big animal fan, you can also visit Dublin’s zoo while you’re here.

4.  Museum of Literature Ireland

Ireland is the land of storytellers, and this recently opened museum showcases Irish literary talent past and present. The Museum of Literature is set in a gorgeous building on the edge of St. Stephen’s Green (on the original site of University College Dublin). Today the space honours former students-turned-literary prodigies – like James Joyce, Flann O’Brien and Maeve Binchy – through interactive exhibits spread across several floors.

5.  Little Museum of Dublin

Tucked inside a Georgian townhouse overlooking the beautiful St. Stephen’s Green, this quirky museum offers a whistlestop tour through Irish history. Informative, entertaining guides and engaging exhibitions (including one charting the story of U2) make this a must-see. Make time for a tasty lunch at basement café Hatch & Sons.

6.  Guinness Storehouse

• Bars and pubs
• price 2 of 4

In 1759 Arthur Guinness signed a lease for the St. James's Gate Brewery in Dublin and started to brew. More than 250 years later, Dublin is still synonymous with the Guinness brand. Pay a visit to the Storehouse (open seven days a week) to learn about the brand’s history, then finish off your tour with a pint at the seventh-floor Gravity Bar, which offers excellent views over the city.

7.  Abbey Theatre

Founded in 1904 by writers W. B. Yeats and Lady Gregory, the Abbey Theatre is Dublin’s internationally famous playhouse for a reason. Along with boasting an illustrious history (which you can learn more about on one of their behind-the-scenes tours), it still regularly produces Grade A plays from contemporary and historical writers. Reserve a night in the calendar and take your seat in the auditorium.

8.  George’s Street Arcade

Established in the 19th century, this enclosed Victorian market is a hodge-podge of shops and food outlets. Try a cupcake or a sausage roll at Lolly & Cooks, or buy some blooms at the gorgeous Appassionata flower shop. At the end of the arcade, cross the street to Designist, a quirky shop selling unusual gifts and cool homewares and stationery by Irish and international designers.

9.  Iveagh Gardens

Not far from St. Stephen’s Green, the Iveagh Gardens is a lovely place to enjoy a quiet lunch with a book. Bordered on one side by the National Concert Hall, this tucked-away park sometimes hosts concerts and festivals. Try a sandwich to go from the nearby Green Bench Café – their menu changes daily, and the food is to die for (visit on Friday and get one of their warm sausage rolls).

10.  National Botanical Gardens

Glasnevin’s National Botanical Gardens makes the most of Ireland’s rainfall as it houses over 15,000 plants on an impressive swathe of land in the city. Dotted amongst the manicured lawns and rambling woodlands are Victorian greenhouses that shelter tropical plants. Top tip: don’t miss the Great Palm House, likely one of the most impressive greenhouses you’ll ever see.

11.  Trinity College

• Historic buildings and sites

With its city-centre location, cobblestoned squares, large playing fields and beautiful buildings, Trinity College is well worth a wander. And that’s before you consider that Ireland’s oldest university is also home to one of the world’s most famous books. An exhibition that’s open daily allows visitors to take a peek at the Book of Kells, an ancient manuscript written on calfskin that dates back to the ninth century.

12.  Dublin Literary Pub Crawl

Follow in the footsteps of Irish authors and poets on this lively excursion: part walking tour, part performance, the Dublin Literary Pub Crawl offers visitors a chance to learn about Dublin’s literary heritage as two actors guide visitors through the city performing extracts from famous works along the way. The tour runs for just over two hours and takes in some of the city’s most famous literary haunts.

13.  Temple Bar

If your (completely understandable) phobia of British stag dos has kept you far, far away from Temple Bar for the past forever, it might be time for a rethink. Yes, there are a lot of touristy bars, but buried in between them are some little gems. Project Arts Centre is a brilliant multidisciplinary arts venue that’s always worth checking out, while the Vintage Cocktail Club does what its name suggests and serves up morish liquid treats with an old-time twist. Foodies should also make a trip to Dollard & Co’s food hall a priority.

14.  EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum

Hear the story of how Irish people spread across the world to such a point that over 50 million people claim Irish ancestry at EPIC: The Irish Emigration Museum . See how Irish people have impacted the world of sport, politics, the arts and more on the self-guided and interactive tour on Dublin’s Northside. 

15.  Dublin mountains tour

The Dublin Mountains Partnership offers free guided walks in the Dublin mountains that cater to tourists and locals alike, ranging from family-friendly strolls to longer hikes. Walkers explore the trails of the Dublin Mountains Way, including Tibradden Wood. Lace up your boots and prepare for plenty of epic scenery and history.

16.  GAA museum

Croke Park is an institution for Irish sports fans. The stadium, nicknamed Croker by locals, houses the headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association, and fans flock there to watch Gaelic football, hurling (a stick-and-ball team sport) and camogie (hurling for women). There’s a GAA museum with an interactive zone to test your own sporting skills, and if you’re brave enough, we strongly recommend the skyline tour on the stadium roof.

17.  14 Henrietta Street

See what life was like in Dublin during the Georgian period on a tour of this ex-tenement house on Dublin’s northside. Hear all about its 300 years of history and how at one stage 100 people lived in this one house. Keep an eye out for the ‘Teatime Talks’ where previous residents, historians, and authors speak about the building.

18.  Teddy’s Ice Cream

• Ice-cream parlours

A household name in south Dublin since the 1950s, Teddy’s has been serving ice cream in the coastal suburb of Dún Laoghaire for generations. Order a 99 (whipped ice cream with chocolate flakes in a cone) and join the crowds walking along the pier. On weekends, stroll to nearby People’s Park and enjoy the local food market.

19.  Fish and chips in Howth

Head north on the Dart, Dublin’s commuter train, to Howth, a bustling fishing village. Along the pier, you’ll find plenty of fish restaurants, including Beshoffs, Octopussy’s and Aqua. Alternatively, you could grab a takeaway and bag a picnic spot overlooking the harbour. If you feel energetic, follow the path to the summit of Howth Head for amazing views along the cliff walk.

20.  Dalkey Island

Starting from the Dublin village of Dalkey , a kayaking tour to Dalkey Island is a great way to make the most of this city’s coastal location – and to meet a few seals along the way. Paddle out from Bullock Harbour and look around to see Dublin through a different lens. Dalkey is easily accessible from the city centre by public transport. Stop for a post-kayak pint at Finnegan’s.

21.  Delicious Dublin Tours

• Walks and tours
• price 3 of 4

Hosted by food blogger and self-confessed food nerd Ketty Quigley, the Delicious Dublin food tour lets you taste the best that Dublin has to offer. Plus, if you want some further inspiration for what to eat during your stay in Dublin, Ketty’s award-winning blog  French Foodie in Dublin  is sure to whet your appetite.

22.  Dublin Castle

Dublin Castle was built on the site of a Viking settlement in the 13th century, and for many years, it was the headquarters of the British administration in Ireland. Inside the castle grounds sits the Dubh Linn gardens, a lovely place to stroll. Also worth checking out while you’re there is Chester Beatty Library, home to an excellent Middle Eastern-inspired café and a peaceful rooftop terrace.

23.  Shopping in the Creative Quarter

This area is where you’ll find some of the city’s best independent shops, selling everything from turf-scented candles to hand-crafted gold jewellery. Wander up Drury Street and on to William Street South, where you’ll come across the Powerscourt Centre. This Georgian townhouse is home to some of the city’s finest boutiques, like homeware store Article and gorgeous jeweller Chupi, whose ultra-modern creations make for excellent souvenirs.

24.  Light House Cinema

Settle into the comfy seats at the Light House Cinema in Dublin’s Smithfield and enjoy the show (with obligatory craft beer). L. Mulligan Grocer, a pub serving modern Irish food in nearby Stoneybatter, is a good spot for dinner before or after the show. Cinema lovers should also check out the glamorous Stella, across the river in Rathmines, for a unique cinema trip complete with cocktails.

25.  Whelan’s

• Cocktail bars

This intimate music venue has played host to a wide range of acts, ranging from Jeff Buckley in the 1990s to Ed Sheeran and Hozier more recently. Located in a lively part of the city on Wexford Street, Whelan’s is close to plenty of top options for a pre-gig feed. Try a juicy burger at Bunsen, buzzy Spanish food at Las Tapas de Lola or contemporary Irish food at Delahunt (where Prince Harry and Meghan ate on their visit to Dublin).

26.  Viking Splash tour

This laugh-a-minute tour is great for kids, but equally fun for adults. Hop on board and travel through the city wearing a plastic Viking hat, seeing the sights as you go. This is more than a bus tour, though, as thanks to a specially customised amphibious vehicle, visitors enjoy a quick spin in the Grand Canal basin too.

27.  Forty Foot

Brace yourself for a – how should we put this? – refreshing experience with a dip at Dublin’s favourite outdoor swimming spot. Fans of Joyce’s ‘Ulysses’ will be familiar with this al fresco swimming location, which used to only be open for men to use. It’s now open to everyone, which means there’s absolutely no excuse not to ~enjoy~ a brisk submersion under the expansive Irish sky. (Post-swim hip flask optional.)

28.  National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology

There are many treasures hidden inside the National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology. Wander through this striking building and you’ll find piles of ancient gold, Viking artifacts and Egyptian mummies. But it’s the bog bodies that will really capture the imagination. Preserved perfectly in the peat boglands of rural Ireland, these bodies date back millennia and are in eerily pristine condition – you can make out their eyelashes, fingernails and even their hair, as well as the (often grizzly) ways in which they met their demise. 

More great things to do in Dublin

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12 of the best things to do in Dublin

Apr 10, 2024 • 10 min read

From distillery tours and pub hopping to art galleries and ancient books, there's lots to keep you busy in Dublin © Yohan LB / 500px

Ireland’s capital and largest city by far, Dublin is one of those places that you either get straight away or spend a lifetime trying to figure out. It’s not the prettiest city, but Dubliners will remind you that pretty things are as easy to like as they are to forget…before showing you the showstopper Georgian bits to prove that Dublin has a fine line in sophisticated elegance.

There’s a collection of museums as fine as you’ll find in any European capital and one of the world’s most beautiful university campuses. There’s incredible food and a collection of authentic pubs that have spawned imitators from Miami to Mongolia.

There’s whiskey and old prisons, ancient books and beautiful monuments. In Dublin, you’ll find something that will tickle your fancy. And when you’re done, there’s always the world’s greatest beer, brewed right here for the last 300 years.  

Whether it’s your first visit to Dublin or your 20th, this is a city that keeps on giving. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

1. Spend some time in a traditional Dublin pub

In all likelihood, you don’t need us to tell you that the pub is a quintessential Dublin experience , but here we are. It’s where you’ll meet Dubliners at their convivial, easy-going best and get a sense of what makes this city tick. There are few Dublin institutions so fawned over and written about as the traditional pub – probably because so many of the city’s best-known writers were regulars in them.

In Ulysses , Leopold Bloom muses that 'a good puzzle would be to cross Dublin without passing a pub,' to which the only logical answer is that it can be done…by going into everyone you see. Given that there are around 800 of them spread about the city it’s probably not the wisest thing to do if liver function is important to you, but there are a bunch of them that will make your Dublin stay all the more memorable. One of my favorites is  John Mulligan of Poolbeg Street, which was also a favorite of Leopold Bloom’s creator, James Joyce.  

2. Walk the cobbles of Trinity College

Since its foundation in 1592,  Trinity College has become one of the world’s most famous universities; it's the alma mater of Swift, Wilde and Beckett; it's where you'll find the most beautiful library in the whole country and the home of the world’s most famous illuminated Gospel, the Book of Kells. The library’s 200,000 books have been removed as part of a landmark restoration project, but the consolation prize is an enhanced digital experience that tells the story of the Book of Kells in dramatic, impressive detail. Trinity’s 16 hectares are an oasis of aesthetic elegance, its cobbled quadrangles lined with handsome neoclassical buildings that lend an air of magisterial calm to the campus, evident as soon as you walk through Front Arch.

Local tip: If you’re visiting during the summer – ie outside of term time – you can stay in student accommodation for a fraction of the cost of a hotel on the other side of the walls. See visittrinity.ie .

3. Peruse modern art and messy studios at the Dublin City Gallery – the Hugh Lane

Hanging on the walls of a magnificent Georgian pile is arguably the city’s finest collection of modern and contemporary art, which runs the gamut from impressionist masterpieces (Degas, Monet, Manet et al) to Irish artists such as Dorothy Cross and Sean Scully as well as a collection of stained-glass windows by Harry Clarke. The  Dublin City Gallery (aka the Hugh Lane, after its founder)’s most visited installation, however, is Dublin-born Francis Bacon’s actual London studio, brought over piece by piece and painstakingly reassembled in all its glorious mess – you can't step inside it but you can observe exactly how the artist lived and worked, down to the minute details.

Check out these budget-friendly tips for Dublin .

4. Dive into Dublin’s distilleries

Did you know that Dublin was once the epicenter of the global whiskey industry? The industry went kaput throughout the 20th century, but it’s slowly making a major resurgence, not least in the Liberties, once known as the Golden Triangle for the number of distilleries in operation there. Today, there are four:  Teeling Distillery, the first new producer in the city for 125 years;  Pearse Lyons Distillery , in an old church; the Dublin Liberties Distillery in a 400-year-old former mill and tannery; and the return of  Roe & Co, which was once the world’s largest producer of whiskey, inside the old Guinness Power Station. On the other side of the Liffey, the old  Jameson Distillery is now one of the city’s most popular attractions, while if you want to do some pretty serious tastings, there’s the  Irish Whiskey Museum near Trinity College.

5. Explore the exquisite collection at the Chester Beatty

Alfred Chester Beatty was a mining magnate with exceedingly good taste, and the fruit of his aesthetic sensibility is gathered in this remarkable museum. Books, manuscripts and scrolls were his particular love, and his collection includes the world's second-oldest biblical fragment and a collection of Qurans from the 9th to the 19th centuries that is considered among the best example of illuminated Islamic texts in the world. Other treasures include ancient Egyptian texts on papyrus, intricately designed little medicine boxes and perhaps the finest selection of Chinese jade books on the planet. Keep an eye on the calendar of events – it regularly runs qigong workshops on the rooftop garden, as well as sound baths and meditation sessions.

6. Drink a Guinness where it’s made

You didn’t think we’d ignore arguably the world’s most famous brewery and the number one tourist attraction in the city, did you? Guinness is more than a beer, and you’ll get a pretty good sense of how much more it is during a visit to the seven-story  Guinness Storehouse . Along the way you’ll learn how the beer is made (there are a couple of add-on, hands-on experiences to really deepen that knowledge), the role of the company in Dublin’s fortunes and how it became the global brand it is today.  The top floor is an atrium bar, where you put the theory to the test and drink a pint; just below it is an excellent spot for lunch.

Local tip: The Guinness in the atrium bar is excellent, but the best Guinness comes with atmosphere; you’ll find the best of it in a traditional bar (see above).

7. Go to prison to uncover Ireland’s struggles

Ireland’s struggle for independence was a bloody and tempestuous journey, and this forbidding prison on the western edge of the city played a role in it for nearly 150 years, as the forced temporary home of many a rebel and revolutionary. Unoccupied since 1924, Kilmainham Gaol is now a museum with an enthralling exhibit on the history of Irish nationalism. The guided tour of its grim cells and corridors is highly memorable and it finishes in the yard where the leaders of the failed 1916 Easter Rising were executed.

Planning tip: Book your tickets online to avoid being disappointed by sold-out tours; also best to book for an early morning tour as you’ll be waiting for less time.

8. Learn the history of Dublin…from Dubliners

With a collection donated entirely by the general public, the award-winning  Little Museum of Dublin on St Stephen’s Green is a surprising blockbuster. The memorabilia is quirky enough – it includes a lectern used by JFK during his visit in 1963 and the fateful letter given to the Irish delegation during the negotiations that ended Ireland ’s War of Independence in 1921 (and whose inherent contradictions led indirectly to the Civil War the next year) – but it’s a brilliant way of getting a potted history of the city. There’s even a whole floor dedicated to U2. Visits are by guided tour only, but they’re great fun.  

Planning tip: The museum runs great tours beyond its walls, including a daily walking tour of St Stephen's Green, as well as a themed weekly tour telling the story of Ireland's influential women.

9. Immerse yourself in culture at the National Museum of Ireland

Ireland’s most important cultural institution is the National Museum of Ireland, which has four branches nationwide – three of which are in Dublin. The  National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology on Kildare Street is the most significant, with an extraordinary collection of Celtic and early Christian gold as well as the macabre ‘bog bodies’ – four Iron Age figures in various states of preservation. On the other side of the Liffey, just off the quays, is the  Decorative Arts & History branch , housed in a beautiful 18th century barracks. On Merrion Square is the  Natural History Museum , affectionately known as the ‘Dead Zoo.’  

10. Eat your fill and go back for more in Dublin’s dining scene

The choice of restaurants in Dublin has never been better. Every cuisine and every trend – from doughnuts on the run to kale with absolutely everything – is catered for, as the city seeks to satisfy the discerning taste buds of its diners. From Neapolitan style pizza at  Sano to Michelin-starred feasts at  Chapter One , you’ll find something for every mood and budget. One of the more popular trends in 2024 was for KFC – no, not that kind, but Korean Fried Chicken – with a bunch of authentic spots opening up all over town. One of my favorites is White Rabbit on Capel St, not-so-hidden in the back of a Korean grocery store.  

Planning tip: It can be pretty tough to get a table at the trendiest spots in town, so book well in advance – two weeks if possible, but months if you’re looking for a Michelin-starred meal.

11. Get thee to Howth

Dublin is on the sea, and some of the city’s loveliest neighbourhoods are standalone villages worth exploring, not least the fishing village of Howth, at the end of the DART train line to the north. The village itself is gorgeous, built around a busy pier and packed with restaurants serving the freshest of fresh catch, but the real treat is the Howth Cliff Path Walk, a 6km (3.7 mile) loop that takes you over the  headland for gorgeous views over the grassy slopes to the sea. If you want to do a proper hike, there are longer routes that lead to the Baily Lighthouse and back over rough, mountainous terrain.

Local tip: On weekends and bank holidays, the  Howth Market sells a huge selection of organic produce and baked goods as well as handicrafts.

Navigate like a local with these tips for getting around .

12. Time travel at Marsh’s Library

OK, so the Book of Kells and the Old Library are way more famous, and way more visited, but that makes Marsh’s Library – on a side street by St Patrick’s Cathedral , all the more worthwhile. The magnificently preserved scholars' library founded by Archbishop Narcissus Marsh in 1701 has barely changed a jot since then: atop its ancient stairs are beautiful dark-oak bookcases filled with 25,000 books from the 16th century to the early 18th century, as well as maps, manuscripts (including one in Latin dating from 1400) and a collection of incunabula (books printed before 1500).

Local tip: When you walk from the first hall into the second, strike up a conversation with the resident librarians. They can tell you their personal theories (or experiences) of the resident ghost and show you the spines of the books bearing bullet holes from the 1916 Easter Rising.

This article was first published Apr 18, 2018 and updated Apr 10, 2024.

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