Dublin County
If you want to get out of the city for a day, there are a number of lovely places to visit only a few miles away from the noise and bustle of the capital.
The lovely coastal village of Dalkey is about 10 miles from the city centre and is a super place to spend a day, strolling through the narrow main street, exploring the nooks and crannies of this old town. Visitors could take the DART, the electric train directly from the capital out to Dalkey, a journey of about 20 minutes. In 1993, Dalkey was elected one of 29 heritage towns in the country, and the new Heritage Centre in the town hall is a good place to stop by to get a feel for the history of this little town. There are a number of fine restaurants in the village, as well as lively and friendly pubs where a pint and a snack can be enjoyed. If travelling by car, you could drive on through Dalkey up the glorious Vico road overlooking the east coast towards Killiney passing by the homes of a number of Irish celebrities such as Bono from the rock band U2, musicians Enya and Van Morrison and Formula 1 racing driver Eddie Irvine. This area is popular with Dubliners as a lovely place to spend a Summers day, parking the car on Vico road and walking down to the small beach or up Killiney Hill just taking in the clean air and enjoying the scenery.
Further out along the train line, about 15 minutes from Dalkey is the seaside town of Bray. For years, families have spent their holidays in one of the many hotels and bed and breakfasts on the Bray Seafront. It is worth a trip out to Bray on the DART if only to enjoy the views from the train as you travel along the east coast through Dalkey, Killiney & Sandycove on the outward journey. Bray itself is a large, built-up town which throngs during the Summer with families and kids out to the Amusement Parks that have plied their trade at the end of the Seafront for almost a hundred years. If you prefer something a little quieter, you could walk up Bray Head, a small mountain on the Seafront, or at least some of the way up away from the madding crowd and perhaps enjoy a picnic on the grass taking in the magnificent views across the bay from this elevated vantage point.
In the opposite direction on the northside of the city is the town of Howth. Again, this picturesque harbour town is accessible on the DART from the city centre and is a ride of about 30 minutes. Howth could be described as a northside version of Dalkey. It too is home to a number of the well to do of Irish society, and while the journey on the DART may not provide the same views as the southbound ride, Howth itself is a beautiful place to spend an afternoon. Bigger than Dalkey, visitors can enjoy the marina alongside the prestigious Howth Yacht Club, or enjoy some fine sea-food at one of the many good restaurants in the town. Howth Castle is a popular attraction with visitors, although the interior is not accessible to the public.