The Best Dublin Day Trips For Short Irish Breaks

The Best Dublin Day Trips Within Dublin

Malahide

Visitors would be forgiven for thinking that in finding Dublin Castle, they had also found its best castle. That accolade goes to Malahide Castle though, that is found in a pretty suburb of the same name in the north of the city. Malahide is easily reached by the DART, Dublin’s suburban rail service. The village itself is lively and affluent, and New St is awash with excellent restaurants. One of Dublin’s largest marinas is located here too, perfect for boating aficionados.

They are all just distractions though from the castle. Malahide Castle is an 800 year old, ivy covered beauty. There is a certain romance to its appearance, unlike many of Ireland’s stone fortresses. The romance doesn’t stop on the outside; the inside is room after room of period elegance. Amateur ghost hunters will love the stories of the five ghosts that haunt the castle. The castle is visited by guided tour, and the guides are ever witty and incredibly knowledgeable.

Although there’s the appeal of Malahide’s restaurants to return to, it’s best to stay within the castle and dine at one of Avoca’s branches here. Avoca is an experience that must be had in Ireland, from their humble beginnings as a mill, through to their expansion into the food business in 1990. After you’ve been satiated, you can do all your gift shopping at its incredible store too.

Howth

Howth is considered by many as the best day trip within the city. It’s not surprising, there’s so much to pack into a day there. It’s the first part of Ireland you’ll see as you arrive from plane from Europe, and that should be enough of a teaser for you. Easily reached in 40 minutes using the DART, you’ll arrive in the pretty fishing harbour. It’s a great place to spot friendly seals. They come for the fish, and you should too.

Howth has some of the best fresh seafood in the city, and enough options to suit whatever your whim might be. For those looking to make a day of it in Howth, Beshoff Bros takeaway is great. Just keep an eye out for adventurous seagulls; they’ve developed a taste for the chips.

The real beauty of Howth is in the area above the town known as Howth Head. It’s a walker’s paradise within the city with a range of trails from 6 to 13 km in length. All start by following the gorgeous coastal scenery of the cliff path that climbs from the harbour. You will do well to find better views than this in Dublin. As the trails reach the Bally Lighthouse, the shorter ones bring you back to the village, while the longest cuts right through the peninsula.

The more adventurous will leave the path to find Aideens Grave, a 4500 year old portal dolmen. Just beyond it are the rhododendron gardens of Howth Castle. These are the largest in Europe, and a stunning springtime sight. A little diversion will take you to Howth Castle (past some breathtaking views of the Ireland’s Eye island), where the National Transport Museum of Ireland is a must for automotive enthusiasts. From there it’s only a short walk back to Howth and those ever more tempting fish restaurants.

Dalkey

From one remarkable coastal village in Dublin to another! Dalkey is different from Howth, it has the feel of a quiet village from the Irish countryside. Forgive me for presuming but isn’t that exactly what you are looking for? There are no shopping chains here, just small cafes and intriguing stores. The locals do a lot to keep it that way.

Dalkey has stood here for many centuries as an important trading port, and once had seven castles. Only one, Goat castle, can be visited, and with tours by actors, you are in for a rollicking good laugh.

But there’s more. Beyond Dalkey lies Dalkey Quarry and Killiney Hill, which is great walking territory. There’s also a view that betters the one up in Howth. Dalkey has one last card to play, it’s an exclusive , and you’ll find the houses of Bono, The Edge, Enya and more. Dalkey is easily reached by the DART too.

The Best of Wicklow on Day Trips from Dublin

Greystones

Sticking with the DART and its route south, a trip to Greystones is an excellent day trip. The most scenic train ride in the country, follows the coast of the Irish Sea all the way. Once you arrive in Greystones you’ll be treated to one of the best foodie towns in the country.

This small town has more restaurant seats than mouths to feed, and is home to the very popular Happy Pear restaurant. The quaint town also has a beautiful sandy Blue Flag beach, if you happen upon a particularly sunny Irish day.

An ever popular activity with day trippers is the Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk, a 10 km route that passes cliffs, dolphins, lizards, ruins and the track of the train that took us here. The walk north arrives in Bray, a typical Victorian beach town, with plenty of amusements, ice cream parlours and bars along its pebbly seafront.

Powerscourt Gardens – A most popular Irish day trip

Wicklow is known as the garden of Ireland and once you start to explore this county you’ll appreciate why. We will get to the rolling hills of the Wicklow Mountains shortly, but one attraction not to miss are the Powerscourt Gardens.

These gardens are one of Ireland’s top attractions and were voted at number 3 in National Geographic’s top ten gardens in the world. The gardens are a series of formal gardens, terraces and ponds covering an area of 47 acres. They are particularly beautiful in spring as nature awakens in full colour.

Powerscourt Gardens can be visited by using the Dublin bus service to the nearby town of Enniskerry, but a car gives more options. Part of the estate contains the Powerscourt Waterfall, which at 121 metres is Ireland’s highest. A car is necessary to visit these.

If you want more after seeing Powerscourt, then make the whole day a garden day. Nearby you’ll find Kilruddery House, and a rather different garden experience. Completionists can also travel to the romantic setting of Mount Usher Gardens, where you’ll also find another incredible Avoca restaurant.

Glendalough and the Wicklow Mountains

The Wicklow Mountains comprise one of six Irish national parks, and are a playground for most adventurous Dublin folk. The mountain range contains a maze of hiking trails, with one, the Wicklow Way, travelling through the entire county. The best hiking, and most spectacular scenery is in Glendalough, a glacial valley with the added attraction of two lakes.

On the banks of the lakes is a monastic city dating back to the 14th century, with a number of churches and a round tower. The history of the settlement is told in the excellent visitor centre on site. It’s an incredible setting to blend history and nature, and is ever popular with locals and tourists alike.

Most come to hike into the mountains above, and the Spinc Glendalough ridge trail will leave you in awe. This walk climbs (and it’s quite the climb) up onto the ridge above the upper lake in Glendalough. If you had doubted why you pushed yourself, you won’t as you take in the views.

But the walk has even more to offer. There are waterfalls, wild deer and goats, the ruins of an old mining village, and a path that negotiates a glacial boulder field. Remember to bring your hiking boots. It’s arguably the best hiking trail in Ireland.

Take a Day Trip into Historical Ireland

Ancient Ireland

Looking for a driving route that takes in some of Ireland’s most significant historical sites. Then this is the one for you. It begins with the sites of Bru na Boinne, the most accessible of Ireland’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This is a complex of ancient burial chambers, known as Knowth, Dowth and Newgrange.

Of these Newgrange is the most intact, a 5200 year old tomb. Ancient art surrounds the entrance, which leads into a central chamber within. Once a year on the winter solstice, light streams into the chamber, a testament to the skills of its builders. Bru na Boinne should be booked in advance as it is ever popular.

A mere few minutes away is the site of the Battle of the Boyne, fought in 1690 between William of Orange and James II, a battle that would forever impact both the English crown and the future of Ireland. Even more ancient history await on the Hill of Tara.

This hill was once the seat of the High Kings of Ireland. Finally, drive to the town of Trim. The castle here is the largest Norman Castle in Ireland. You might recognise it from Braveheart, where it stood in for the city of York.

Curragh & Irish National Stud

I imagine this isn’t one that makes the usual lists but one of Ireland’s most beloved animals are horses. Ireland has a rich tradition of breeding horses and race meetings are some of the biggest events on the national calendar.

The epicentre of horse breeding in Ireland is the Curragh, a flat plain of open land about one hour from Dublin. Visiting early in the morning will let you set sights on the magnificent thoroughbreds training.

For the lazier people like me out there, a better option is the National Stud. Some of Ireland’s most successful horses have retired here, and you’ll leave with a greater appreciation of why the animal is so loved in Ireland. There’s the added bonus of the Japanese Gardens on site, beautifully designed over a century ago and said to be the finest in Europe.

Kilkenny

Kilkenny is one of Ireland’s oldest and liveliest cities. It is small too, which makes it perfect for a day trip and is accessible in less than two hours on Ireland’s slightly inadequate rail system. Trains depart from Dublin Heuston. Kilkenny is a medieval city, which can be visibly seen from the buildings and streets.

It’s difficult not to feel the history here, from the narrow passageways such as the Butterslip, in the age old stone buildings such as the Tholsel, Rothe House and Shee Alms House, or even while sipping a pint at the 800 year old bar the Kytelers Inn. Speaking of pints, Ireland’s oldest beer Smithwicks has been made here since 1710. The brewery can be visited by guided tour.

If you are looking for a unique experience, St Canice’s round tower on the city outskirts, is one of only two that can be climbed in the country. Feel how it was for monks as they escaped the marauding Vikings a millennium ago.

Of course no visit to Kilkenny is complete without seeing its prize jewel. Kilkenny Castle dominates the town from above, an imposing and grand structure. No castle in Ireland is of the same calibre, and in the Picture Gallery it has one of its finest rooms too.

Waterford

Waterford lies on the same road and rail route as Kilkenny but is a vastly different city. Though it is in fact Ireland’s oldest city, the main attractions are predominantly modern ones.

While Waterford Crystal has been made here since 1783 and grew world famous in the following centuries, its visitor centre is a modern museum space, showcasing some of the finest works created by the master glass-makers. The factory tour will open your eyes to the skills behind the scenes, and is an essential Irish experience.

The streets of Waterford itself are also an attraction. Each year the city hosts worldwide renowned street artists for its Waterford Walls festival. Walls, shop fronts, and houses have all become canvases and the city is perfect for a street art hunt. Waterford now ranks among the best cities in Europe in the street scene.

Belfast

Belfast may lie in Northern Ireland, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be visited on a day trip. With regular trains from Dublin Connolly taking you straight into the city, an early start will let you scratch all of Belfast’s most famous sights off the list.

Start with the Titanic exhibit of course, and the tragic story of the ill fated ship. It’s a brilliant exhibition and must be followed up a docklands walk to see the famous Harland and Wolff cranes, and the SS Nomadic boat. From there it’s back into the city centre for a lunch in the St George’s Market, or one of the city’s traditional pubs.

Belfast’s history has of course been marred by the troubles, and their impact on the city is still felt. The Black Taxi Tours are the most authentic way to tour the city, and follow a route by the peace wall and the murals that tell the story of what happened here during those 30 years of violence. It’s a brilliant tour and a must do.

With the afternoon at your mercy before your evening train home, there’s the option to go walking on Cave Hill and visit Belfast Castle. There are amazing city views from here. Or do your time in Crumlin Road Gaol. This building is one of the most haunted in the country. They even host a paranormal tour for those with nerves of steel.

Is it possible to tour all of Ireland on day trips from Dublin?

Ireland is a small country and feasibly all can be visited using Dublin as a base. There are group tours running daily from Dublin to the Ring of Kerry, Dingle, Connemara and the Cliffs of Moher, or the Causeway Coast in Northern Ireland. However, it’s important to know your limitations.

Personally, I don’t recommend those as you spend more time on the road than actually visiting the attractions you intended to see. Not my idea of a road trip. These attractions are best visited using one of the many excellent local bases on a road trip round the country. Besides there is quite a lot of Ireland to see within easy reach of Dublin. All the above places are 2 hours or less away, and should offer something for every traveller.

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About the Author

John Quinn is a travel blogger based in Dublin, Ireland.

I travel predominantly in Ireland and Europe, and write about my passions which are hiking, road trips, castles, city breaks and street art. You can follow along on my blog CarpeDiemEire.