Ireland (Republic of Ireland)

Languages: English, Irish

Currencies: EUR · Euro (€)

Capitol: Dublin

Continents: Europe

Borders: United Kingdom

More useful information

Area: 70,273km2

Population: 4,994,724

Traffic/driving side: left

Landlocked country: No

Independent country: Yes

United Nations member: Yes

IDD Prefix: +353

Timezones: UTC

Last updated on July 14, 2023

There are plenty of attractions and places outside Dublin offering memorable experience. There are few stunning spots within not even an hour drive from Dublin city.

Best places outside Dublin - north direction.

MALAHIDE CASTLE AND GARDEN: This amazing, refurbished castle with an engaging tour, exhibition, beautiful gardens and an expansive walk around the area is situated 16 km north of the city of Dublin. I really enjoyed a castle tour. It takes about 50-60 minutes and the history is said in humoristic way. Malahide village is charming too with a very nice promenade and lots of pleasant restaurants. 

Malahide Castle & Gardens is opened all year round with the admission tickets from Monday to Sunday: 9.30am – 5.30pm (last tour in winter season is at 3.30pm).

The tour includes the following admission:

  • Botantic Garden 
  • Castle Tour
  • Secret Walled Garden
  • West Lawn Gardens
  • Castle History Museum
Malahide Castle in Ireland

HOWTH: one of the biggest touristic destinations in Ireland. It’s a beautiful old famous fishing village, located in the Howth Peninsula. Don’t forget to try fish and chips there in one of the marina’s takeaways, it tastes better than anywhere else. You can take a cliff walk around the peninsula – there are few trekking options and lots of tour operators. But the trails are well visible and there is no need to hire any guide. Apart from incredible sea views, you may see dolphins and seals, which happened to me number of times. Below I present my favourite sea star! 😉 Check my post for full travel information: www.freestyletraveling.com/howth/

seal

PORTMARNOCK BEACH: one of my favourite places outside Dublin. The beach is located in the north of Dublin at the eastern coast, and it’s a stunning 5 km sandy dune beach. Fabulous for beach volleyball, which I love 🙂 There is a free spacious car park just next to Portmarnock Hotel. The beach is within 50m from the car park. In case you want to extend your day you may want to pop in for a delicious breafast in the Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links – it is only 20 Euro per person.

Portmarnock beach

What to see South of Dublin?

WICKLOW MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK: Paradise for hiking lovers, a gorgeous wild area of Wicklow National Park. Great place for hiking, mountain walking over a stunning scenery of Lake Lough Tay or Glendalough Upper Lake. I’ve walked most of the trails of Wicklow Mountains, check best hiking trails in my post: https://freestyletraveling.com/best-hiking-trails-wicklow-mountains/

Wicklow Mountains

WICKLOW CLIFF WALK: Wicklow is a samll cosy town only an hour drive from Dublin. The starting point for a beautiful coastal path is just next to a local golf course. You’ll find golf courses everywhere in Ireland, especially on the cliffs. Taking a walk south direction it will lead you to an empty beaches and if you’re lucky you can see lazy sea lions. Walking further you’ll reach a lighthouse – where you can rent a room with incredible sea view. 

BRAY TOWN: the longest seaside town in Ireland, located 19 km south of Dublin, only 3 minutes from Dart station. Great destination for a Cliff Walk.

ENNISKERRY – (Irish: Eas Chonaill) is the highest waterfall in Ireland. Enniskerry is a village located in County Wicklow. It’s not even an hour driving from Dublin. It’s an excellent base from where to explore the surrounding countryside. The waterfall is on the Dargle river. This beautiful natural attraction is set in the valley in the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains. The height of the waterfall is around 120 meters.

KILLINEY HILL – a part of Killiney Park, popular destination for hikers.

Sassari Sardinia

Hey - I'm Eva!

Hiker, adventurous traveler and the author of this blog. My biggest joy is mountaineering and writing reportage travel stories here on this blog, to help you create a unique travel experience. Traveling is freedom, allows you seeing the world truly, meet communities, grow. Taste it!
Connect:
0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x