Ireland’s capital city has a rich history of culture, arts and nightlife. Home to the famed River Liffey and The Temple Bar you would be forgiven for never wanting to leave Dublin.
Luckily for you, you can travel to just about anywhere in the country from Dublin and back again in a day.
So if you are looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the fair city, here are some of our top recommendations.
- Howth
- Wicklow Mountains
- Cliffs of Moher
- Kilkenny Castle & City
- Connemara & Galway City.
Howth
Easily the closest of all our destinations on this list. Howth is located just a short 25 minute journey from Dublin City centre. You can take the Dublin Area Rapid Transit (DART) train to this picturesque little fishing village. City dwellers often make the short journey to the rocky peninsula to get a well-earned break from stresses of cosmopolitan life.
Howth offers the delights of fresh sea air to accompany you on your rural hike through this delightful part of the East Coast of Ireland. We recommend visiting Howth Cliff Walk, a family-friendly path with phenomenal panoramic views. There are also countless sights to see like Howth Castle & Gardens, The National Transport Museum and St Mary’s Abbey Medieval ruins to wander around.
A short walk from the train station and you will find delicious street food, handmade jewellery and traditional Irish crafts jumping out from there individual market stalls.
Wicklow Mountains
Spread out over 85 miles, the Wicklow Mountains are a natural wonderland of endless hills, boggy marshes, icy marshes and windswept heaths. The raw natural beauty of Wicklow Mountains is all the more impressive when considering how close this wonderful escape is from Dublin.
The area is sometimes known as Ireland’s Hollywood because many of the countries most famous stars own property in this untouched part of the country. Bono, Daniel Day-Lewis and Guinness family all have homes in and around the Wicklow Mountains.
These mountains host endless walking trails and medieval ruin sights, some of you may have even seen the landscape on films and TV like P.S. I Love You and Vikings. The most popular attraction in this part of Ireland would be the Monastic City at Glendalough. Located in what is known as the valley of lakes, this early Christian monastery was founded in the sixth century by Saint Kevin. Adventurers can find the ruins of a cathedral and a majestic Irish round tower.
The Cliffs of Moher
At the westernmost edge of the Emerald Isle, the hardy Cliffs of Moher tower nearly 702 feet above the Atlantic ocean. No trip to Ireland is complete without stopping off at these breathtaking cliffs. So breathtaking in fact that they were used in the filming of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
Considered by many to be the top destination to visit in Ireland, this unique section of coastline stretches for five miles along the ocean. These striated limestone cliffs are constantly being beaten by the Atlantic winds and waves, resulting in remarkable views all year round. On a clear day, it is possible to see as far west as the Aran Islands, beyond the islands the next bit of land to the West would be the United States.
The cliffs are located on the western border of County Clare, less than an hours drive from Shannon Airport. Travellers from Dublin can take a train to Ennis, and from there take a public bus which makes trips to the cliffs Visitor Centre three times a day.
The Kilkenny Castle & City
Kilkenny is located just an hour away from Dublin so it makes for the perfect day trip from the capital! It is often frequented by Dubliners on weekend getaways or stag parties. The city boasts an electric nightlife. When you aren’t enjoying some of the many pubs and restaurants in the city, go and check out the famous Kilkenny Castle.
One of Ireland’s most visited heritage sites, the Kilkenny Castle was initially built for the powerful Butler family in the 12th century, though much of the present look dates from the Victorian times. From November to January visits are by guided tours only, with self-guided tours from February to October. One standout part of the tour is the Long Gallery which boasts a painted roof and carved marble fireplace.
Connemara & Galway City
Arguably Ireland’s most untouched regions, Connemara is a must-see. Located on the West Coast in County Galway this destination may seem far from Dublin City, but with the train running from Dublin to Galway every hour you can be there in 2 hours 30 minutes.
Thousands of people flock to Connemara every year to see the wild beauty it has to offer. This district really captures the true essence of the West of Ireland with its Connemara ponies, valleys, lakes, thatched cottages and the famous Clifden Castle. Make sure you give yourself enough time to visit Galway city whilst stopping through, this wonderfully quirky city is bustling with traditional Irish music and culture. Eyre Square, 16th Century Spanish Arch, Druid Lane Theatre and the Spanish Quarter are all worth visiting.
If you do decide to embark on any one of these marvellous day trips, why not get your laundry done whilst your away? Laundryheap is here to help with a same day laundry and dry cleaning service with free next day delivery in Dublin.