Day trips around Dublin

We have seen the system of car hire Dublin Airport and you have decided which car to rent. You have decided to stay a few days in Dublin and discover the surroundings. Below are some ideas of destination for amazing day trips.

1. Newgrange and Kell

One hour North of Dublin, Newgrange has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It has an impressive Megalithic Passage Tomb richly decorated which was built about 3200 BC. The 19 meters long inner passage leads to a cruciform chamber with a corbelled roof. Nearby is the village of Kells which has a large collection of Celtic Crosses and other remnants from the monastic age in Ireland. The book of Kells has been discovered there and is now displayed at Trinity College in Dublin.

 

 

 

2. The Wicklows
The Wicklows are mountains South of Dublin. A great place to go hiking! Don’t miss the Powerscourt House and gardens, one of the world’s greatest gardens, and Glendalough, an ancient monastery in the heart of the Wicklows Mountains National Park. Don’t forget to stop at Johnnie Fox’s pub in Glencullen for a pint, one of Ireland's oldest and most famous traditional Irish pubs  and also the highest pub in the country.

3. Kilkenny

Kilkenny is a medieval city at 1h30 South of Dublin. The main attraction is the castle built in the 13th century.  Walk in the city to discover the galleries and old buildings.

 

 

Most places are accessible by public transport or with organizing tours from Dublin. But I always prefered to rent a car to have more flexibility and stop anyway on the road.