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9 Best Day Trips from Dublin, Ireland

While Dublin is a fantastic city with lots of things to see and do, while you’re there, you should also take the time to explore the nearby cities and attractions. If you’re looking for an interesting day trip from Dublin, add one or more of these ideal day trips from the capital city to your vacation itinerary.

Newgrange Newgrange, Ireland
Credit: Newgrange, Ireland by K.C. Dermody

Newgrange

Newgrange is not only an easy day trip from Dublin, just 45 minutes northwest of the city, but it’s also one of the most fascinating sites you can visit in Ireland. Older than Stonehenge and the Great Pyramid of Giza, it was constructed around 3200 BC and is arguably best known for the illumination of its passage and chamber by the winter solstice sun. No one knows for sure what the purpose of it actually was, but it’s believed to have been a passage tomb as well as a temple for ancient people that worshiped the sun and a place of astrological, spiritual, religious, and ceremonial importance. White quartz was used to build it in order to inspire life-giving energy.

Glendalough View of the historic Glendalough monastic site with ancient round tower and church in Wicklow National Park
Credit: View of the historic Glendalough monastic site with ancient round tower and church in Wicklow National Park by © Jenifoto406 | Dreamstime.com

Glendalough

One of the most beautiful destinations in Ireland, Glendalough, which means “Valley of the Two Lakes,” is famous for its spectacular vistas and its ancient historic heritage. This is the home of a monastic settlement that was established in the 6th century, with its round tower a popular object for photographs. The settlement was a thriving city during its time, complete with houses, a farm, cathedral and other buildings as one of Ireland’s great ecclesiastical centers. Visitors can also explore the breathtaking surrounding landscape by hiking one of the scenic trails.

Malahide Castle The Malahide castle
Credit: The Malahide castle by bigstock.com

Malahide Castle

This charming coastal town is just a short trip from Dublin and is especially picturesque. Visitors will find its pretty streets lined with cafes, restaurants, shops, and lively pubs, while Velvet Strand, which runs along the Irish Sea, is popular for soaking up the sun and enjoy a variety of water sports. But the primary reason to come is arguably Malahide Castle, built as a private residence and fortress that was inhabited for almost 800 years. Tours bring visitors into its fascinating, historic past, which includes reports of at least five ghosts, including Lady Maud Plunkett, buried in the castle graveyard, and a 16th century caretaker by the name of Puck.

Howth The Howth Cliff Walk
Credit: The Howth Cliff Walk by bigstock.com

Howth

This fishing village is another must-visit near Dublin, where you can walk the Bog of Frogs Loop to take in beautiful views of the lighthouse, Lambay Island, and the cliffs, or enjoy a stroll down the pier for views of Ireland’s eye, an island that’s just a 15-minute boat ride away. Howth also hosts a long, sandy beach, the opportunity for bird watching, and the Martello Tower Museum which features a collection of exhibits that chronicle the history of telecommunications from the 1840s to the present. The popular Howth Market boasts a wide range of Irish crafts, handmade jewelry, vintage antiques, and an extensive selection of organic foods.

Kilkenny Kilkenny City
Credit: Kilkenny City by mellow cat via Flickr

Kilkenny

Kilkenny is one of Ireland’s most attractive historic cities, with its multiple historic sites concentrated in a small area in the city center. It’s a mix of medieval and modern, with narrow, winding streets lined with ancient buildings, combined with the progressiveness of a lively city and a hub for the nation’s arts and culture. Kilkenny Castle is the must-experience here, a magnificent Norman Castle dominating the skyline. It overlooks the River Nore and dates all the way back to the 12th century.

Belfast Titanic Belfast.
Credit: Titanic Belfast. by bigstock.com

Belfast

Belfast has a long list of top attractions, but this remarkable museum may be unlike any other you’ve ever experienced. The world’s largest Titanic visitor experience, it’s been named the top tourist attraction in all of Europe – even beating out the likes of Rome’s Colosseum, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, and Buckingham Palace in London. It would be easy to spend an entire day, or longer, just browsing the wealth of exhibits that display artifacts from the ship as well as personal letters, clothing, and re-created rooms. There are multi-media displays, virtual-reality rooms, and live cameras from the team that discovered the wreck which reveals the underwater salvaging and research going on today.

Powerscourt Estate and Waterfall Powerscourt Waterfall
Credit: Powerscourt Waterfall by K.C. Dermody

Powerscourt Estate and Waterfall

Powerscourt Estate is considered to be the epitome of 18th-century aristocratic elegance. Ranked among the Top Ten Houses and Mansions Worldwide by Lonely Planet, it’s one of the most scenic places in the country and hosts some of the most stunning landscaped gardens on Earth. It includes elaborate Italian gardens, a walled garden, a Japanese garden with a fish pond, and a spectacular tree-lined avenue. It’s all dominated by the grand Palladian mansion, Powerscourt House which hosts a number of shops selling Irish-made items. Nearby is Powerscourt Waterfall, the highest in the country at nearly 400 feet.

Lough Tay, Wicklow Mountains Lough Tay, Wicklow National Park, Ireland
Credit: Lough Tay, Wicklow National Park, Ireland by Wikimedia Commons

Lough Tay, Wicklow Mountains

Wicklow National Park is just 40 minutes from Dublin and offers some of the finest scenery in the country. Much of the History Channel’s “Vikings” series is filmed here – their settlement is housed at the edge of beautiful Lough Tay. The area has been spotlighted in a number of movies as well, like 2007’s “P.S. I Love You.” It’s most popular for enjoying scenic hikes, with miles and miles of trails. The best time to experience it is in summer and early autumn when the heather is in bloom. That’s when a sea of purple and maroon blanket the hills while fields of bog cotton cover the landscape below. There are miles and miles of marked trails, and visitors can also enjoy horse riding, biking, and climbing.

Wicklow Town Wicklow town, East Coast, Ireland
Credit: Wicklow town, East Coast, Ireland by © Peregrine | Dreamstime.com

Wicklow Town

Wicklow Town is just south of the city of Dublin on the east coast of Ireland. It boasts a number of beautiful beaches nearby, and in town, a wealth of attractions. The town that was founded by the Vikings in the 8th century, is home to the reportedly haunted Black Castle ruins, the historic jail (gaol), and a beloved seal known as “Sammy.” Sammy visits the local fish shop three times a day for his meal. Visitors come from across the globe in hopes of spotting the savvy creature.

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