Ireland Lives Up to Its Name: Dublin and its Outskirts

Updated October 2024

Ireland is on the small side, with around the same area as Wisconsin. Yet its popularity all over the world is impressive. This is largely due to Irish emigration, especially to the US in the mid 1800s. However, the Irish culture in general continues to intrigue us, and not just because of its folk tales and music. Irish themed pubs are everywhere. Chicago even colors its river green every year for St Patrick’s Day. Irish natives have a strong presence in Hollywood. I’ve definitely crushed on a couple of them. Tourists flock to the Emerald Isle itself too - and emerald it is indeed both in cities and in the countryside.

While gorgeous and one of a kind experiences are all over the island, Dublin is likely a starting point for an Ireland itinerary. The city accounts for more than 25% of the country's population and houses major attractions for history buffs, literary lovers, and the ultimate beer experiences. The Dublin Castle…Irish Immigration Museum….Oscar Wilde House…

One of the top ranked places to go in Dublin (according to TripAdvisor) is the Guinness Storehouse. Go here to learn the proud history of Ireland’s drink of choice and see how it’s made. Do some tastings and check out the rooftop bar too so you can enjoy a Guinness with a view. Plenty of celebrities have stopped by and given it their seal of approval, such as Ireland native Niall Horan, Lewis Capaldi, and Paul Rudd.

In keeping with the theme of Ireland’s “sweet nectar” as Horan calls it, a pub crawl is a must. Temple Bar might be among the most recognizable of Dublin’s pubs, and they seem to know it. A pint of Guinness is a bit pricey here. Head to the nearby Palace Bar instead. This bar has been around since horse drawn carriages delivered Guinness around town. Handlers tied the horses to the lamppost that is still right outside of the bar. Go even further back in history at xx, Dublin’s oldest pub…

Another great aspect of Dublin is how easy it is to see the smaller, surrounding areas by train. Howth is a town on the coast about 30 minutes from Dublin. It's a classic harbor town with boat docks, a rocky coast, a castle, a market with local crafts and food, and a big lighthouse out on the edge. Sometimes people play music along the walk out to the lighthouse. The Howth Castle dates back to the 15th century and is close to the docks. Get more ocean-side scenery by booking a hike of the Howth Head Cliff Walk as well, but the path can get narrow and very much cliff side. Those who don’t like heights might not enjoy it.

From either Dublin or Howth, you can take a train to Malahide, which is most famous for its castle. However, Malahide is its own little town as well. It is welcoming and is also a great afternoon trip just 9 miles outside of Dublin. Construction on Malahide Castle began in the 12th century and was home to the Talbot family for 800 years on 260 acres of parkland. The walk in the park area from the train station to the castle itself is peaceful, but short enough to stay near the town. The castle is surrounded by the aforementioned park and though the castle closes in the evening, you can still walk around the park into the night.

Wicklow

Transportation Tips: Just before the exit of the Dublin airport, there is a transportation kiosk that sells Visitor Leap Cards. You can buy them according to the length of your stay and scan them to use buses, trains, and all the rest of Ireland's means of transportation.