Howth
Sitting on the outer edge of Dublin, Howth is an adorable little fishing village and trading post that is well worth the 30-minute trip. Howth has many things to offer, from its wildlife, golf courses, cliff and coastal walks/paths and Howth castle. After walking along the cliffs with breathtaking views, you can make your way over to the little town where you can find some of the most amazing fish and chips that Ireland has to offer. After a gorgeous hike and delicious lunch, you can hop on a boat and make some seal friends.
Bray to Graystones
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Hope you packed your hiking boots, because you do not want to miss your chance to hike from Bray to Graystone (I would also like to point out that you can do this hike in reverse as well). This hike is another must-see and most popular day trip from Dublin, which is completely understandable with the amazing coastline scenery that it has to offer. This linear walk will take you along the Irish Sea, where you can enjoy the mountain, coastal, wildlife and wildflower views. No matter which way you decide to hike, both towns have plenty to offer to all their hungry hikers. Depending on what time of year you go, you may even be able to catch a small-town carnival or festival in Bray!
Wicklow Mountains and Glendalough
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Wicklow Mountains and Glendalough are the perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. This national park is an oasis just an hour away from Dublin that has so much to offer to any visitor. It is home to some of the most important ancient monastic sites in Ireland and the highest waterfalls, which make for the perfect picnic spot! You can even enjoy a fun and interesting sheepdog herding demonstration and play with some adorable little lambs after the show, nothing screams being in Ireland more than playing with some sheep in the rolling hills.
Kilkenny
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Kilkenny is an adorable, small Irish town that has plenty to offer to all its visitors, from historic buildings like the Kilkenny Castle, St. Canice’s Cathedral, rounder tower and many more. With its small-town charm and colorful buildings, you are sure to enjoy a relaxing day walking around the town enjoying all the history and beauty it has to offer. This medieval town with its impressive castles and churches is only a short 90 minutes away from Dublin’s city center, making it a great getaway for a day!
Dalkey
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Dalkey is not a day trip most people would think about making while studying abroad in Dublin, but it definitely has some cool things to offer! It was originally founded as a Viking settlement and was an active port during the Middle Ages, but has since became the home to several writers and celebrities. Dalkey is so well loved it has even made appearances in some well-known Hallmark movies, so for all my Hallmark lovers out there, I recommend doing your homework before visiting! For all the adventurous people, you can book sunset kayak tours in Dalkey to enjoy a fun and unique view of the islands right off the coast and Bulloch Harbor. Oh, did I mention you can make more seal friends here as well? And just like all the other cute little Irish towns, Dalkey also has its own castle and unique architecture for all its visitors to explore and enjoy.
Browse CEA's study abroad programs in Ireland.