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Major city · Ireland

AshbourneCill Dhéagláin

Use Ashbourne as one night near Dublin Airport or a day for Emerald Park — not a base: 1 night, or skip unless you have a theme-park or race day.

Weather
see forecast
Currency
EUR
Best months
May–Sep for Emerald Park and race days; the town works year-round
avoid None serious; check park opening days outside summer
Airport
DUB
Nights
1
Not field-verifiedbasic guide
Print / PDF guide
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
  • Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
  • Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
  • 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.

Ashbourne is a commuter town in County Meath, 22 km northwest of Dublin city centre and the airport, with a population of about 16,000 (2022). It is the practical overnight stop if you land late and drive on northwest, and the access town for Emerald Park, Ireland's main theme park. The town itself is modern and spread along the R135; its older remains sit under a supermarket and at the Rath Cross 1916 memorial. Most trips give it one night, or a day for the park or Fairyhouse races.

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Ashbourne, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • Coffee€3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
  • Sit-down mealPub main course€14–20 (≈ US$17–25)
  • BeerPint of stout€5.50–6.50 (≈ US$7–8)
  • Metro or bus rideBus fare, town to Emerald Parkcheck€2–4 (≈ US$3–5)
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week€10–20 (≈ US$12–25)
  • Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per person€35 (≈ US$45)
  • Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per room€120 (≈ US$140)
  • High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per room€180 (≈ US$250)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget €55 (≈ US$65) · Mid €95 (≈ US$120) · High €170 (≈ US$200)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Emerald Park (formerly Tayto Park)Fairyhouse RacecourseRath Cross 1916 memorialDublin Airport overspill beds
Airports
DUB Dublin Airport (22 km southeast by M2/N2; Bus Éireann 109A runs hourly, 24 hours, about 30 min)

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Ashbourne: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

8°C

2°C

13 rd

Feb

9°C

2°C

11 rd

Mar

10°C

3°C

12 rd

Apr

12°C

4°C

11 rd

May

15°C

6°C

11 rd

Jun

18°C

9°C

10 rd

Jul

20°C

11°C

11 rd

Aug

19°C

11°C

12 rd

Sep

17°C

9°C

11 rd

Oct

14°C

7°C

13 rd

Nov

10°C

4°C

13 rd

Dec

8°C

2°C

13 rd

High / low °C · rd = rain days

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

The town is walkable along the main street; buses stop along it rather than at a station. Bus 105 links Ashbourne with Emerald Park and Drogheda, Bus 103 runs from Dublin via Glasnevin, and Bus 197 runs to Swords. A car is easier for the park, the racecourse and the surrounding county.

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Emerald Park

go

Door to door: About 30–40 min

Bus 105 from Ashbourne main street, or 10 min by car north on the R135

Theme park and zoo; buy online ahead, opening days vary by season.

Fairyhouse Racecourse

go

Door to door: About 20 min

Car or taxi to Ratoath, about 10 km west

Flat racing May–Sep, jumps Oct–Apr; Irish Grand National on Easter Monday.

Dublin

go

Door to door: About 45–60 min

Bus 103 or 109A from the main street

City centre and airport both reachable without a car.

Trim

go

Door to door: About 40 min

Car via the N2 and R154, about 30 km northwest

Trim Castle and the Boyne; easier with your own car.

Kells

go

Door to door: About 50 min

Bus Éireann 109A northwest, about 40 km

Abbey remains and the Book of Kells story; continues to Oldcastle for Loughcrew.

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Ashbourne town centre

Frederick St and Bridge St hotels; walk to pubs and shops, parking on site.

Rath / M2 terminus

2 km north at the end of the bypass; quiet, car-first, easy on and off the M2.

Ninemilestone

South end of the bypass at M2 junction 3; B&Bs, best if you are driving on early.

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
€50–80 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
Mid
€80–130 (≈ US$95–160) excl. bed
High
€130 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Hotel double room1 × 1 night × €120€120
Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €95€190
Bus Éireann 109A, Dublin Airport to Ashbourne, one way2 × €8 · check€16
Emerald Park adult day ticket2 × €52 · check; online discount if bought two days ahead€104
eSIM, about a week of data2 × €15€30
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge€46
Trip total≈ €253 per person per day, bed included€506≈ US$600

2026 estimate in euro; flights and car hire excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee€3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
Pub main course€14–20 (≈ US$17–25)
Pint of stout€5.50–6.50 (≈ US$7–8)
Taxi, Ashbourne to Dublin Airportcheck; more at night€35–50 (≈ US$45–60)
Bus fare, town to Emerald Parkcheck€2–4 (≈ US$3–5)
eSIM or data SIM, about a week€10–20 (≈ US$12–25)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

A quiet commuter town and one of the safer stops near Dublin. The real risks are rural roads after dark, unlit verges on the R135, and driving after a race day or a night in the town pubs.
  • Buses stop along the main street; there is no bus station — check the TFI route mapper for your stop.
  • From Dublin city, only the 109A, 103 and 103X come through Ashbourne; the 109, 109B and 109X do not.
  • Emerald Park prices and opening days change by season: book online ahead and check the official site.
  • Village pubs and rural roads around Ashbourne need a car or a taxi after the last bus.

Emergency numbers

Police, ambulance, fire (Gardaí)
112
Police, ambulance, fire (Gardaí)
999

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

AshbourneCill Dhéagláin

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

Chuig an seoladh seo, le do thoilTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, ambulance, fire (Gardaí)112
  • Police, ambulance, fire (Gardaí)999

Embassy

No embassy in Ashbourne; embassies are in Dublin. US citizens: US Embassy, Dublin (check the address). UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand: embassies in Dublin.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Dublin Airport → Ashbourne, Bus Éireann 109A: about €8 (≈ US$10), about 30 min (check)
  • Taxi Ashbourne → Dublin Airport: €35–50 (≈ US$45–60) (check)
  • Bus 105, Ashbourne → Emerald Park: €2–4 (≈ US$3–5) (check)

Say or show

  • Dia duit — Hello (jeea gwit)
  • Go raibh maith agat — Thank you (guh rev mah agut)
  • Le do thoil — Please (leh duh hull)
  • Sláinte — Cheers (slawn-cha)
  • Cá bhfuil an leithreas? — Where is the toilet? (kaw will an leh-rass)
  • Cé mhéad é? — How much is it? (kay vade ay)

Buses stop along the main street, not at a station.

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Ashbourne. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: May–Sep for Emerald Park and race days; the town works year-round · avoid None serious; check park opening days outside summer · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 5 day-trips, door to door
  6. 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for DUB: last 109A departures field-checked, taxi fallback, late-landing rung.
  2. Walking cluster for the town centre with rescue anchors: main street, retail park, Rath Cross.
  3. Place pages with verified cutoffs (Emerald Park, Fairyhouse, Ashbourne Golf Club) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Race-day and park-day fixtures so gates A–D can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to Ireland

Sources