Great Days Out & Short Breaks from Dublin
If based in Dublin, there are some wonderful day trips that can be taken to discover some of the countryside just outside the capital. There are also many convenient locations to take a short break from the hustle and bustle of the city.
A Great Day Out - Some interesting places near enough to Dublin to make a great day out from the city. (Full details from Tourist Information Offices)
Co Wicklow
Dirty Boots Treks specialise in taking small groups on guided mountain trekking adventures in the wild and remote corners of Ireland Tel: +353 (0)1 623 6785
Ashford - Mount Usher Gardens 0404 32484
Blessington - Russborough House & Gardens; Beit art collection 045 865239
Enniskerry - Powerscourt House & Gardens; boutique shopping 01 204 6000
Glendalough - Monastic site, (Visitor Centre 0404 45325 / TIO 0404 45688; farmers market (2nd Sundays: 0404 43885); walking
Co Meath
Newgrange - prehistoric sites (including Dowth & Knowth) 041 988 0300 
Oldcastle- Loughcrew Passage Tombs (3000 BC) 049 854 2009
Donore - Bru na Boinne Visitor Centre 041 9880300
Hill of Tara - interpretive centre; walking; tea rooms 046 25903
Kells Grove House & Tropical Bird Sanctuary 046 923 4267 Co Kildare
Celbridge - Castletown House (Ireland’s premier Palladian mansion); 01 6288252
The Curragh - Curragh Racecourse 01 441205
Kilcock - Larchill Arcadian Gardens (follies); 01 01 628 7354
Tully - Japanese Gardens - 045 521251 Straffan - Steam Museum 01 627 3155
Weekends Away -
A ‘Baker’s Dozen’ of suggested places for short breaks within an hour or two of Dublin city.
For more places to visit, in every style and price range, try the search engine on our home page, which gives independent recommendations throughout Ireland.
• Belfast: TENsq028 9024 1001, 10 Donegall Square South, Belfast 1. 028 9024 1001 Luxurious city centre boutique hotel, with two fine restaurants
• Co Carlow: Lorum Old Rectory, Bagenalstown. 059 977 5282 www.lorum.com Charming old-world country comfort, with a Euro-Toque chef doing the cooking
• Co Carlow:, The Step House Borris 059 977 3209; www.thestephouse.com House of character & luxury ina delightfully unspoilt village
• Co Kildare: Barberstown Castle, Straffan. 01 628 8157; www.barberstowncastle.ie A real 13th century castle lies at the heart of this lovely hotel next door to the K Club (Ryder Cup 2006)
• Co Kilkenny: Lacken House, Kilkenny 056 776 1085 www. lackenhouse.ie Féile Bia Award-winning restaurant and newly refurbished rooms in the medieval city
• Co Kilkenny: Mount Juliet Hotel, Thomastown, 056 77 73000; www.mountjuliet.com A gracious mansion near Kilkenny, with glorious grounds, and golf
• Co Laois: Castle Durrow, Durrow 0502 36555; www.castledurrow.com Recently refurbished 18th century country house midway between Dublin & Cork
• Co Louth: Ghan House, Carlingford 042 937 3682 ; www.ghanhouse.com Country house & cookery school with views of Mourne Mountains
• Co Meath: Neptune Beach Hotel, Bettystown 041 982 7107; www.neptunebeach.ie Modern hotel with on-site golf and miles of sandy beach to walk
• Co Offaly: Kinnitty Castle Theatrical castle in 650 acres of parkland, complete with armour and dungeon bar
• Co Westmeath: Wineport Lodge, Glasson, Athlone 090 643 9010; www.wineport.ie Waterside restaurant and sumptuous rooms in stunning away-from-it-all location
• Co Wicklow: Rathsallagh, Dunlavin, 045 403 112; www.rathsallagh.com Rambling country house with romantic accommodation, great dinners, memorable breakfasts and golf • Co Wicklow, BrookLodge Hotel, Macreddin 0402 36444; www.brooklodge.com Luxurious new hotel with organic food, farmers markets, and a lovely rural location.
