Dublin is Ireland's big hitter, but when you tire of exploring the city, there's plenty to see in the surrounding countryside.
You can take a day trip from Dublin to visit sites that capture the rich history of the green hills, including grand country houses, prehistoric sites, religious hubs and dramatic scenery that inspired singers and poets.
There are many day trips from Dublin.
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It takes one hour and 10 minutes to travel by car.
The valley of Glendalough is nestled into the craggy valleys of the Wicklow Mountains National Park, which is the jewel of County Wicklow. One of Ireland's most impressive monastic settlements can be found in the backdrop of two lovely lakes.
One of the largest monastic sites in Ireland was established in the late 5th century by St Kevin. The Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul and several smaller churches are among the impressive remains.
You can buy leaflets on the local trails that are good for birdwatching or download them from the website. The Upper Lake is one of the highlights. The saint is said to have lived in a shallow cave.
Glendalough is southwest of Dublin city center and can be reached by car. If you don't own a car, you can visit Wicklow as part of an organized coach trip or take St Kevin's Bus which leaves twice a day from central Dublin.
It takes 45 minutes to travel by car.
Powerscourt Estate was built in the 17th century by the greatest Irish architect of the Georgian era. The gardens of Powerscourt House are among the best in the country, with beautiful views across a lake to the peak of Sugar Loaf Mountain.
It is easy to wander around the formal gardens, with their terraces, towers and sculptures. There's a map at the ticket desk. The final resting place of many beloved animals is the animal cemetery.
Powerscourt House has a selection of upscale shops, a well-stocked garden center and the Avoca Terrace Cafe to help you make the most of your visit.
Powerscourt can be reached by car in less than an hour. A 25-minute walk from the estate is the location of the village of Enniskerry.
The travel time is by car.
A thriving prehistoric civilization once flourished in the fertile valley of the River Boyne. Some six centuries older than the great pyramids of Egypt, Newgrange is one of the oldest passage tombs in Europe.
The valley's various relics are preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage site. There are three tombs that are important to the world. Newgrange is the most impressive because of its beautifully constructed drystone walls that measure 80m across and 13m high.
The burial chamber that once held cremated human remains is guarded by huge carved stones that are decorated with spiral patterns. During the winter season, the passage is aligned so that it floods with light from the rising sun on the morning of the winter solstice.
The design of the interpretive center is reminiscent of nearby tombs. There are exhibits on the pre-Celtic history of Ireland and a life-size replica of the Newgrange burial chamber inside.
It takes less than an hour to get here from Dublin if you drive. The train will take you to the visitor center. Mary Gibbons Tours will pick you up from your hotel for a tour.
The travel time is by car.
William Conolly was the wealthiest man in Ireland at the time he died. The most imposing Palladian mansion in the country is the Grand Castletown House.
Castletown was built in the lush green countryside of County Kildare, 20 km west of Dublin city center, and was based on designs by Italian architect Allesandro Galilei, and extended by the young Irish architect Edward LovettPearce, who had just returned from a tour of Italy.
Influences from Italy are reflected in the opulent interior: polished marble, ornate plasterwork, iont columns, silk damask wall coverings and Aubusson carpets. The Long Gallery is decorated with marble busts and family portraits and hangs with chandeliers.
A forty-minute walk from Castletown Estate is the so-calledWonderful Barn, a conical folly with an external spiral staircase. During a time of economic hardship in County Kildare, it was commissioned by Conolly's widow to provide employment for locals.
You can get to Castletown by car, but it takes about 40 minutes. Bus 67 from Dublin will take you to the gates of the estate, fifteen minutes from the house.
The travel time is by train.
Howth is a pretty harbor village set on a rocky peninsula that is only 30 minutes away by DART train. The middle of Howth Market is filled with stalls selling everything from artisan food to Irish crafts, jewelry and antiques.
The site of Howth Castle is open to the public during the summer. The early summer displays of colorful rhododendrons and azaleas can be seen at other times of the year. The Howth cliff walk loop is a great way to see the sea.
The Oar House is a great place to eat seafood, from fish and chips to sea bass with a salad. It is a nature reserve with seabirds and seals in large numbers.
You can get to Howth by car in good traffic, but it will take longer on weekends. There are DART trains from central Dublin to Howth.
The travel time is by train.
You can explore the old seaside town of Bray. The beachfront has an old fashioned aquarium, ice cream parlors and faded hotel facades.
There is a path from the base of Bray Head to the top of the cliff. There are porpoises, dolphins, and basking sharks in the grey-blue waters. On land, you can find Ireland's only reptile, the viviparous lizard.
The Happy Pear vegetarian cafe is a great place to stop for some food and drink. Fans of sea swimming should pack a towel since the water can be bracing.
The easiest way to get to Bray is to take the M11 south. You can either take the DART train from the city center to Bray or the DART train from Greystones.
The article was last updated about 7 hours ago.
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