Sidetrips from Dublin

Daytrips out of Dublin to see Romantically ruined abbeys, ornate gardens, ancient tombs, stunning coastlines, and music-filled pubs

Lovely as Dublin is, you really shouldn't come to Ireland without seeing a bit of its famed countryside.

Scenic drives abound; and the excursions below will take you past ruined churches and impressive mansions, along rocky shorelines and stunning, verdant landscapes.

Luckily, just about everything in Ireland is within a few hours' drive of Dublin (no, really), so there exist a ton of ready-made day tours that will, in 8 to 14 hours, take you to just about avery far-flung and famous corner of the Emerald Isle and have you back in Dublin before last call at the pub.

Of course, you can do it on your own with a rental car or rail tickets (and it would be much more enjoyable to spend a few days in the country, staying at little B&Bs and truly enjoying it).

So I will provide links to all the top Ireland-in-a-day excursions available, but focus here on several that are within an hour of Dublin and hence more in the day-tripping spirit.

Favorite sidetrips from Dublin

Boyne Valley - Ancient tombs and ruined abbeys: Newgrange, Monasterboice, Mellifont, Hill of Tara.

Wicklow Mountains - Mansions, gardens, and monasteries: Powerscourt, Glendalough, Russborough

County Kerry - Storybook Western Ireland: Ring of Kerry, Dingle Peninsula, Killarney National Park.

County Clare -Traditional music and dramatic countryside: Cliffs of Moher, The Burren, Doolin, Ennis.

County Antrim - The best of Northern Ireland: Giant's Causeway, Dunluce Castle, Bushmill's Distillery.

Tips

• Take a tour: Rather than arrange it all yourself with rental cars of public transport, consider taking a guided day trip excursion with our partners at Viator.com:
  

  • Limerick, Cliffs of Moher, Burren and Galway Bay Rail Tour from Dublin

  • Northern Ireland including Giant's Causeway Rail Tour from Dublin

  • Wild Wicklow Tour including Glendalough from Dublin

  • Cork and Blarney Castle Rail Trip from Dublin

  • Ring of Kerry Rail Trip from Dublin

  • Newgrange and Monasterboice Day Trip from Dublin

  • Wicklow Day Trip from Dublin

  • Glendalough and Avoca Day Trip from Dublin

  • Wicklow Mountains, Avoca and Glendalough Rail Tour from Dublin

  • Aran Islands Scenic Flight and Galway Tour from Dublin

  • Blarney Castle and Cork Day Trip from Dublin

  • Connemara and Galway Bay Rail Tour from Dublin

  • Cliffs of Moher Day Trip from Dublin

  • Giant's Causeway Day Trip from Dublin

  • Belfast Day Trip from Dublin

  • Kilkenny City and Glendalough Day Trip from Dublin

  • Connemara and Galway City Day Trip from Dublin

  • County Wicklow Day Trip from Dublin: Wicklow Gaol, Avoca and Glendalough

  • Dalkey Castle and Kilmacurragh Botanical Gardens Day Trip from Dublin
• Take a multi-day tour:

  • 3-Day Cork, Blarney Castle, Ring of Kerry and Cliffs of Moher Rail Trip

  • 2-Day Cork, Blarney Castle and Ring of Kerry Rail Trip from Dublin

  • 4-Day Ring of Kerry, Limerick, Cliffs of Moher, Galway and Connemara Rail Tour

  • 4-Day Cork, Ring of Kerry, Dingle, Cliffs of Moher and Galway Bay Rail Tour

  • 5-Day South West of Ireland Small Group Jeep Tour from Dublin

  • 3-Day Cliffs of Moher, Connemara and Aran Islands Rail Tour from Dublin

  • 2-Day Connemara and Galway Bay Rail Tour from Dublin

  • 3-Day Cork, Blarney Castle, Ring of Kerry and Dingle Peninsula Rail Tour

  • 5-Day Northern Ireland and the North West Small Group Jeep Tour from Dublin

  • 3-Day West of Ireland Small Group Adventure Jeep Tour from Dublin