TOP 4 Day Trips From Dublin To Experience the Magic Of Ireland 

Published: August 22, 2024

If you ever get tired of the Fair City and want to spend your weekend exploring Irish history, mythology, and place names, consider hopping on one of these day trips from Dublin. All the locations we recommend also double down as perfect trails for hiking and walking – a great treat for your body and soul.

1. Wicklow & Glendalough (Co. Cill Mhantáin & Gleann Dá Loch)

Dublin to Glendalough trip essentials:

Time to get there: approximately 1 hour

Optimal transportation: By car, by bus 

Top spot: Kilkenny Medieval City & Glendalough Monastic Site

Tickets: On the spot

Best for: Family trips, Irish history exploration, nature lovers, sophisticated hikers

There are many reasons to put Wicklow Mountains National Park and Glendalough on top of your list of day trips from Dublin. 

If you have ever watched the Academy Awards-nominated animation “The Secret of Kells,” you might remember the tall pencil-shaped tower of the monastery where young Brendan spends his creative days. Yes, it is real, and it is Glendalough – the most magical place in Ireland, which also happens to be one of the most popular destinations for a same-day return trip from Dublin. 

In the 6th century, this place was an important monastic settlement submerged in the tranquility of the surrounding forest — that is until the Vikings came and burned it to ashes. Its name in Irish, Gleann Dá Loch, means “the valley of two lakes,” and in the Wicklow National Park, you will find mirrors of lakes and cascades of waterfalls, an abundance of birds, and mysterious sounds emerging from the woods. 

Glendalough’s scenic nature and medieval architecture made it a popular filming location. It is mostly known as the romantic setting of “P.S. I Love You” and “Braveheart,” as well as the award-winning history TV series “Vikings,” much of which was filmed in Glendalough and around Co. Wicklow.

2. Boyne Valley (Newgrange, Knowth, Hill of Tara)

Dublin to Boyne Valley trip essentials:

Time to get there: 50 minutes to 1.5 hour depending on your choice of transport

Optimal transportation: By car, by bus 

Top spot: Boyne Valley Monuments

Tickets: On the spot, in advance

Best for: Family trip, history and archaeology enthusiasts, cyclists

Newgrange, or Brú na Bóinne, is one of Ireland’s most important prehistoric monuments, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, conveniently located just about 40 km from the city, making it a perfect day trip from Dublin.

You’ve probably seen it on pictures and postcards, an enormous green mound encircled by a wall of white stone. Archaeological evidence shows that the site of Newgrange has been populated for at least 6,000 years and served both residential and ceremonial purposes. Newgrange is built with its entrance facing east, so every winter Solstice, early morning of December 21st, the passage that leads to the central chamber of Newgrange gets illuminated by the rising sun and fills with orange light. 

In order to catch this magic occurrence, you have to be among the lucky few who get randomly selected in the annual Solstice Lottery. In case you didn’t know, the real Hobbiton is not a prop town in New Zealand. It is here, in Knowth, a group of smaller mounds near Newgrange that only lack round doors to fully resemble Bilbo Baggins’s hometown. 

While you’re in the area, also visit the Hill of Tara. This historic site, often mentioned in Irish epic tales, was the seat of the High Kings of Ireland. The cylindric coronation stone, Lia Fáil, or Stone of Destiny, leaves little to the imagination and makes for a great selfie background.

3. Howth (Binn Éadair)

Dublin to Howth trip essentials:

Time to get there: the fastest route is via Dart, approximately 25 minutes

Optimal transportation: By car, Bus №31, DART

Top spot: Howth Cliff Walk

Tickets: No tickets required

Best for: Family trip, nature lovers, souvenir hunters

Technically, a suburb of Dublin, Howth is a complete outdoor experience near the capital – you can easily reach it by using a city bus or DART. Those lucky enough to live in Howth can enjoy the sea view every day, while for simple mortals like you and our team, Howth is a nice hiking route among the rocks and heather. And if accompanied by a seasoned storyteller, you can explore Howth like an insider.

In mythology – and yes, every place in Ireland has a legend behind it – Howth was connected with the heroic figure of Finn Mac Cumhaill. 

But another epic person who visited the place and left her imprint on local history was Ireland’s magnificent pirate queen, Gráinne Ní Mhaille. It is said that she was once paying a visit to the Earl of Howth castle, but he failed to provide her due hospitality. Without much thinking, Gráinne kidnapped his grandson and demanded, as a ransom, a promise that no guest would ever be denied hospitality at Howth Castle anymore. The same family has owned this place since the 12th century, and although the inner premises of the castle are closed, its gardens are usually open to the public.

4. Bray (Bré)

Dublin to Bray trip essentials:

Time to get there: approximately 50 minutes

Optimal transportation: By car, DART

Top spot: Bray Head hill

Tickets: No tickets required

Best for: Family trip, nature lovers, hikers

For more hiking and panoramic views, Bray is a perfect town to spend a day outdoors, enjoy the colour green, and not complain about the weather. Take a DART from Dublin to Bray or Greystones, walk the trail between the two along the cliffs, and scramble up Bray Head, a hill at the edge of town with a white stone cross on the top. 

Bray is especially great if you are into festivals: for Saint Patrick’s Day (17th of March), there are a whole bunch of cultural, boozy and noisy events going on in Bray, and between April and August you get film festivals, jazz holidays and summer music raves in the area.

Dublin trip: one-of-a-kind adventure

If you are really into Irish history and culture, consider taking a custom tour centered around your interests. Our guides can prepare an optimal itinerary that will include historical sites you want to see and accompany you to deliver the best intellectual, culinary, and cultural experience possible.