Day Trips from Dublin

In the surroundings of Dublin you can find a lot of attractive historical spots, castles and gardens. These places are normally open all over the year and are truly worth your time visiting them. There are, generally, two ways to get to these tourist attractions: either you reserve a guided day trip or simply rent a car.

If you want to have the independence and liberty to come and go to these marvelous places, you may just opt to rent a car. With it, you are not that tied to the strict times of tour guides and it makes you to begin and end your day on the manner that pleases you. It is possible to rent a car and drop it off at Dublin Airport or in the city center.

Here are four destinations perfect for your day trips from Dublin:

Powerscourt House and Gardens

The Powerscourt is considered to be one of the popular gardens and estates in Ireland. It is located about 20 kilometers from Dublin’s city business center. Powerscourt House was developed in 1730 by Richard Castle and was accidentally destroyed by fire in 1974.

A show named “Bloody O’Tooles, Rebels & Royalty, Fame & Fire” in addition to an audio visual performance narrates the story of such elegant and magnificent mansion. Garden Rooms and Ballroom are open the entire year on Sundays 9:30am-1:30pm and Mondays 9:30am-1:30pm from May until September. If the weather is nice, you can have a fine cup of coffee or tea on the porch of the Powerscourt House.

The House contains the premier 90 meters waterfall in the country. It is regarded as the Powerscourt Waterfall is enclosed with woods. You can have a picnic there or simply wander around.

Malahide Castle

The castle is located on the south west part of the small beach resort Malahide, situated on 250 acres wide parkland. Malahide Castle is truly special as it was continuously inhabited by Talbot family from the year 1856 up to 1976. You can admire a lot of attractive epoch furniture in such an old castle and a huge collection of portrait paintings.

Malahide Castle is said to have its own spirits as well. It contains not just a single ghost but five of them- Lady Maud, Lord Galtrim, Chief Justice, Puck, Miles Corbett and last of all Plunkett. Be ready as you will surely feel their company among the very old walls.

The tour around the castle takes about 35 minutes with 15 minutes guided audio trips. The restaurant at the Malahide Castle is popular for the delicious meals, which makes it perfect to have a lunch after the trip.

>>read more about Irish Castles

Howth

Taking a day tour to Howth is also worthwhile as it is yachting and fishing port and also a famous suburban resort. You can begin your day in the harbor at the lighthouse of Howth. It is the perfect place to see sea lions. Also, there is the 12th century old Abbey and a graveyard in the center of the town with a stunning sight of the harbor.

On the west part of the harbor, you can find the demesne and Howth Castle, the seat of St. Lawrence ancestors. The demesne is popular for its more than 2000 assortments and azaleas of rhododendrons.

Next to castle, you can find the National Transport Museum which houses old double-decked buses, tractors, the rustic tram of Howth and the horse-drawn fire engine.

There are a lot of fine cafes in Howth with delectable fresh seafood meals. But, it is recommended to reserve for you table beforehand as they could be quite busy during weekends.

The Loughcrew Historic Gardens

The Loughcrew Historic Gardens are located in the hub of County Meath, just 85 kilometers away from Dublin. It was owned by the Plunkett family. The newest saint of Ireland, St. Oliver Plunkett was born and grew there. The church of the Plunkett is still situated in Loughcrew.

The estate of Loughcrew also holds The Temple of the Rains, which served as the Entrance Portico of the Loughcrew House. It was constructed by Welsh engineers who named it after the continuous Irish rainfall during the construction process. The woodlands as well as the gardens are sprinkled with ‘fairies’, attractive modern sculpture created by Ann Meldon Hugh.

If you will go to Loughcrew in summer time and you are fascinated with music, purchase ticker for the yearly Rhythm & Blues Festival. Every 27th and 28th of June, the Opera a la Carte Company entertains those opera lovers.