Great Days Out & Short Breaks from Dublin

If based in Dublin, there are some wonderful day trips that can be taken to discover some of the countryside just outside the capital. There are also many convenient locations to take a short break from the hustle and bustle of the city.

A Great Day Out - Some interesting places near enough to Dublin to make a great day out from the city. (Full details from Tourist Information Offices)


Co Wicklow

Dirty Boots Treks specialise in taking small groups on guided mountain trekking adventures in the wild and remote corners of Ireland Tel: +353 (0)1 623 6785

Ashford - Mount Usher Gardens 0404 32484
Blessington - Russborough House & Gardens; Beit art collection 045 865 239
Enniskerry - Powerscourt House & Gardens; boutique shopping 01 204 6000
Glendalough - Monastic site, (Visitor Centre 0404 45325 / TIO 0404 45688; farmers market (2nd Sundays: 0404 43885); walking

Co Meath

Newgrange - prehistoric sites (including Dowth & Knowth) 041 988 0300
Oldcastle- Loughcrew Passage Tombs (3000 BC) 049 854 2009
Donore - Bru na Boinne Visitor Centre 041 9880300
Hill of Tara - interpretive centre; walking; tea rooms 046 25903
Kells Grove House & Tropical Bird Sanctuary 046 923 4267 Co Kildare
Celbridge - Castletown House (Ireland’s premier Palladian mansion); 01 6288252
The Curragh - Curragh Racecourse 01 441205
Kilcock - Larchill Arcadian Gardens (follies); 01 01 628 7354
Tully - Japanese Gardens - 045 521251 Straffan - Steam Museum 01 627 3155

Weekends Away -

A ‘Baker’s Dozen’ of suggested places for short breaks within an hour or two of Dublin city.

For more places to visit, in every style and price range, try the search engine on our home page, which gives independent recommendations throughout Ireland.

• Belfast: TEN Square Belfast - Luxurious city centre boutique hotel, with two fine restaurants
• Co Carlow: Lorum Old Rectory, Bagenalstown. Charming old-world country comfort, with a Euro-Toque chef doing the cooking
• Co Carlow:, The Step House Hotel Borris - House of character & luxury ina delightfully unspoilt village
• Co Kildare: Barberstown Castle, Straffan. A real 13th century castle lies at the heart of this lovely hotel next door to the K Club (Ryder Cup 2006)
• Co Kilkenny: Mount Juliet Hotel, Thomastown, A gracious mansion near Kilkenny, with glorious grounds, and golf
• Co Laois: Castle Durrow, Durrow. Recently refurbished 18th century country house midway between Dublin & Cork
• Co Louth: Ghan House, Carlingford. Country house & cookery school with views of Mourne Mountains
• Co Westmeath: Wineport Lodge, Glasson, Athlone. Waterside restaurant and sumptuous rooms in stunning away-from-it-all location
• Co Wicklow: Rathsallagh House, Dunlavin, Rambling country house with romantic accommodation, great dinners, memorable breakfasts and golf
• Co Wicklow, BrookLodge Hotel, Macreddin. Luxurious hotel & spa with organic food, farmers markets, and a lovely rural location.