Region
Dublin and the east
Sleep in Dublin for two to four nights; add Howth by train, and Glendalough or Newgrange as a tour or a car day.
Not field-verified
Rules in force · 3
- Ireland ↗Ireland is in the EU but not in the Schengen area; it sets its own entry rules and a Schengen visa is not valid for Ireland. Check Irish immigration for your passport.
- Ireland ↗Ireland and the UK form the Common Travel Area, with no routine checks on the land border. Visitors who are not Irish or British must still meet UK rules (including the UK ETA where it applies) to enter Northern Ireland.
- Ireland ↗Driving is on the left; rural roads are narrow with hedges and few passing places.
Dublin is the base and the east coast is a set of day trips. The DART commuter train serves the coast north and south of the city, buses and tours cover Wicklow, and rural sites like Newgrange need a timed ticket. Keep the Dublin bed and travel light for the day.
Where to sleep
Dublinsleep base
Stay near St Stephen's Green for walks to Trinity and the museums.
Howthday trip
DART train about 30 minutes; cliff walk and harbour.
Glendaloughday trip
Wicklow Mountains monastic site; bus or tour about 1.5 h each way.
Newgrangeday trip
Passage tomb with timed tickets; tour or car about 1 h each way.
Night sequences
- 3 nights
- Dublin 3, Howth as a half day
- 4 nights
- Dublin 4, Glendalough or Newgrange as a day
- Dublin, Glendalough and Newgrange in one day is too much: choose one trip per day.
Day-trips door to door
| To | From | Door-to-door p50 | Last return | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Howth | Dublin | 50 min | unknown | DART trains run frequently until late evening; check the last train. |
| Glendalough | Dublin | 100 min | unknown | Buses are few in winter; a tour is easier. |
| Newgrange | Dublin | 75 min | unknown | Entry is by timed visitor-centre ticket; book before you go. |
Bags between cities
Leave the big bag at the Dublin hotel and take a day pack.