However, if you have enough time it is also worth getting outside of the city and exploring some of the great destinations out in the local countryside. Due to its prime location on the eastern coast, Dublin is perfectly located for exploring more of the country and there are several easily accessible day trips to choose from. You can spend a day exploring gorgeous mountains, atmospheric old castles, peaceful coastal villages and much more which are just a quick train or car ride away.

Here are a few of the best day trip ideas just outside of the city of Dublin:

Malahide Castle

This castle is one of the oldest in Ireland and was home to the Talbot family, who were the lords of the castle from 1185 to 1976. It is located only a half hour north of Dublin and it is easily accessible either by car or by taking the number 42 Dublin Bus. The inside of the castle can be toured for a fee, so that you can see the impressive Great Hall and the Oak Room and learn about the Talbot family history.

The beautiful old castle sits within 250 acres of parkland which also includes a Children’s Museum, a botanical garden and a model railway. It’s a great place to bring the kids because they will be entertained for hours on the playground, golf course and walking trails.

Malahide Castle, Ireland by William Murphy

Howth

Only 16km away from Dublin you will find a peaceful fishing village that was once a Norse stronghold up until the 11th century. These days it is a working harbour which has a laid back atmosphere where delicious fresh seafood caught by the local fishermen can be enjoyed at the harbour side restaurants. You can walk the trail along the cliff top around Howth Head and take in jaw-dropping views of the Irish Sea. Astonishingly, on a clear day you can sometimes see all the way to Wales.

If you plan your visit to Howth on a Sunday in the summertime you will be able to enjoy one of the best and busiest Irish Farmers Markets.

Howth, Ireland by William Murphy

County Wicklow

This region is often referred to as the Garden of Ireland and with its abundance of lush green forests it is easy to see why. This beautiful mountainous area is a popular destination for walking and hiking and there are several great trails throughout the area. Some of the best hiking is up on the mountain peaks, such as Lugnaquilla, Tonelagee and Mullaghcleevaun.

County Wicklow is also home to Glendalough which is a historic monastery and village. This 6th century monastery was founded by St. Kevin and has one of the largest and most unusual high crosses in all of Ireland.

Lugnaquilla, Ireland by Andrew Parnell

Bru Na Boinne

This complex of Neolithic standing stones, chamber tombs, hedges and other prehistoric enclosures is one of the most significant Neolithic archaeological sites in Europe. It is located along a bend in the River Boyne. The Neolithic ruins here date back as far as 35th century BC to 32nd century BC, making them older than the Egyptian pyramids. This makes the fact that they were built with a sophisticated knowledge of science and astronomy even more astounding.

The Visitor Centre is open all year round and offers a large interactive exhibition about the fascinating history of this site. The entry fee includes the exhibition, audio-visual presentation, full guided tour and shuttle bus to the two sites of stone ruins.

Bru Na Boinne, Ireland by Cary Bass

These are just a few ideas for day trip adventures outside of Dublin, so why not get out there and start exploring!

Frankie Hughes is a writer who believes that Ireland is one of the world’s most beautiful places to visit. She suggests that if you are looking for hotel accommodation, Dublin City has a great variety of hotels to suit you.

The post Day Trip Ideas For Exploring Beyond Dublin appeared first on Europe Explored.

Though flying to the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland is a good option, it will probably then mean a battle to get around the country.

For many people, not least stag parties, Dublin is their favourite destination in the Republic of Ireland. And the capital not only has many attractions but has a good transport system.

So anyone intending to limit their Irish holiday to a weekend in Dublin will not be inconvenienced by not having a car, if they choose to fly there.

There is an excellent bus service in Dublin, and if you wish to travel north or south of the city centre then it is a good idea to use the Dublin Area Rapid Transit. That is an electric train service which runs from Howth in the north to the lovely seaside town of Bray in the south.

Flying into Dublin Airport is a pleasant experience, just a short hop from Great Britain, and you can then take Aircoach into the city centre.

However, Ireland has such wonderful towns and countryside that it is a real shame to limit your time in Ireland to just Dublin. Plus Dublin Hotels, food and attractions are expensive – as you would find in any capital city – so if you’re planning on staying in Ireland for a bit longer, it pays to spread your wings and explore other, more cost-effective parts of the country.

However, those who want to explore Ireland will find that the Irish rail system is not the best. It is possible, though not speedy, to get to lovely towns like Limerick and Galway by rail, but the best way to get around is by car. You can then choose to stay away from city centres, where you find cheap hotels, as opposed to the pricier establishments closer to the centre that are designed to trap those tourists who are unable to stay anywhere else.

Car hire in the Republic of Ireland, however, is generally not as cheap as in the U.K., which can add considerably to the total cost of your trip.

Definitely worth considering is the option of taking the ferry to Ireland. However, depending where in the U.K. you live, that can involve a lengthy drive.

Ferry connections between the two countries, via the Irish Sea, are available from Holyhead, Birkenhead, Doughlas, Stranraer, Cairnryan, Troon, Swansea, Fishguard and Pembroke.

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