Dublin East
5
Day Itinerary •
Ireland
Five days in Dublin and the East of Ireland gives you time to explore one of Europe's most vibrant and literary capitals properly and then venture into the extraordinary countryside that surrounds it. The Viking and Georgian city, the magnificent Trinity College and the Book of Kells, the extraordinary Wicklow Mountains and the remarkable Boyne Valley with its passage tombs older than Stonehenge are all within easy reach. This route covers the complete Dublin and East experience. The Temple Bar quarter and the Guinness Storehouse, the extraordinary National Museum of Ireland, Kilmainham Gaol and the Phoenix Park, the Wicklow Mountains National Park and Glendalough, the remarkable passage tomb of Newgrange and the extraordinary Brú na Bóinne UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Best Time To Visit
April to October
Getting There
Dublin Airport (DUB), direct flights from most European cities
Getting Around
Walking in city, DART or rental car for excursions
Budget Per Day
Approx 120 to 200 EUR per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, mostly walking on pavements and paths
DAY 1
DUBLIN OLD CITY
MORNING
TRINITY COLLEGE AND THE BOOK OF KELLS
Trinity College Dublin, founded in 1592, is the finest university campus in Ireland. The Long Room of the Old Library, with its barrel-vaulted ceiling and 200,000 ancient books, is the most extraordinary interior in Dublin. The Book of Kells, the extraordinary 9th-century illuminated manuscript of the four Gospels created by Celtic monks on Iona, is displayed in the Treasury below. Book online well ahead. Entry approx 16 EUR. Travel: 10 min walk
MIDDAY
TEMPLE BAR AND THE HA'PENNY BRIDGE
Temple Bar, Dublin's cultural quarter on the south bank of the Liffey, has the most extraordinary concentration of pubs, galleries and cultural spaces in the city. The cobbled streets of the quarter, the extraordinary Irish Film Institute and the remarkable Chester Beatty Library nearby house some of the finest Asian and Islamic manuscripts in Europe. The Ha'penny Bridge, built in 1816, is the most photographed structure in Dublin. Free. Travel: 15 min walk
AFTERNOON
THE GUINNESS STOREHOUSE
The Guinness Storehouse in the St James's Gate brewery is Ireland's most visited attraction. The extraordinary building, shaped like a giant pint glass, tells the remarkable story of Arthur Guinness and the creation of the world's most famous stout across seven floors. The Gravity Bar at the top gives the finest 360-degree panorama of Dublin. Entry approx 26 EUR. Book online for the best price.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Chester Beatty Library in Dublin Castle gardens is one of the finest collections of Asian and Islamic manuscripts in the world, its extraordinary illuminated Qurans, remarkable Buddhist texts and the outstanding collection of Japanese woodblock prints all freely displayed. Entry free. Consistently voted Ireland's finest museum.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Bewley's Oriental Cafe, Grafton St The finest traditional Irish breakfast in Dublin since 1840. | Lunch: The Winding Stair, Ha'penny Bridge Outstanding Irish food above the city's most famous bookshop. | Dinner: The Pig's Ear, Nassau St The finest modern Irish cooking overlooking Trinity College.
DAY 2
DUBLIN CULTURE AND HISTORY
MORNING
KILMAINHAM GAOL
Kilmainham Gaol is the most historically significant building in Ireland, the prison where the leaders of every Irish rebellion from 1798 to the Easter Rising of 1916 were held and executed. The extraordinary guided tour passes through the Victorian east wing with its remarkable glassceilinged atrium, the cells where the Rising leaders spent their last nights, and the yard where they were shot. Entry approx 9 EUR. Book well ahead. Travel: 25 min walk or bus
MIDDAY
THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF IRELAND, KILDARE STREET
The National Museum of Ireland is one of the finest free museums in Europe. The extraordinary Irish Gold Room contains the most remarkable collection of prehistoric gold ornaments in the world, including the extraordinary Broighter Collar and the remarkable Gleninsheen Gorget. The Viking Dublin exhibition is outstanding and the extraordinary Treasury with the Ardagh Chalice and the Tara Brooch are among the finest early Christian metalwork anywhere. Free. Travel: 20 min walk
AFTERNOON
PHOENIX PARK AND THE DEER
The Phoenix Park at 707 hectares is the largest enclosed urban park in Europe. The extraordinary herd of 600 wild fallow deer roams freely throughout the park. The remarkable Aras an Uachtarain, the Irish President's residence, is visible from the main road. The Wellington Monument, the tallest obelisk in Europe at 62 metres, and the extraordinary Victorian People's Gardens are both outstanding. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Irish Jewish Museum in Portobello, housed in a beautifully preserved synagogue, tells the remarkable story of the small but extraordinary Jewish community in Dublin from the 1880s to today. The neighbourhood of Portobello itself is the finest in Dublin for independent cafes and culture. Entry free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Aungier Danger Donuts or hotel Dublin's finest artisan donuts near St Stephen's Green. | Lunch: Grogans pub, William St The finest traditional Dublin pub lunch. Great sandwiches and Guinness. | Dinner: Doheny and Nesbitt, Baggot St Classic Dublin gastropub. Outstanding Irish stew and seafood chowder.
DAY 3
WICKLOW MOUNTAINS
MORNING
GLENDALOUGH, THE MONASTIC CITY IN THE MOUNTAINS
Glendalough, the extraordinary 6th-century monastic settlement in a glacial valley in the Wicklow Mountains, is the finest early Christian site in Ireland. St Kevin's remarkable round tower, the extraordinary cathedral ruins and the stone churches dating from the 10th to 12th centuries are set against the extraordinary backdrop of the Upper and Lower lakes. The valley walk around both lakes is outstanding. Entry free. Travel: 1 hour drive
MIDDAY
THE SALLY GAP AND THE MILITARY ROAD
drive The Sally Gap, a remote mountain crossroads at the heart of the Wicklow Mountains, is reached by the extraordinary Military Road built by the British after the 1798 rebellion to cut through the rebel stronghold. The remarkable turf bogs, the extraordinary Liffey Head bog and the panoramic views of the Dublin and Wicklow mountains are all outstanding. The drive from Glendalough over the Sally Gap is the finest in Wicklow. Free. Travel: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
POWERSCOURT WATERFALL AND ESTATE
The Powerscourt Waterfall at 121 metres is the highest waterfall in Ireland and Britain, the extraordinary cascade falling in a single drop into the remarkable pool below surrounded by Wicklow mountains. The Powerscourt Estate gardens nearby are the finest formal gardens in Ireland, their extraordinary Italian terraces, Japanese garden and the remarkable Triton Lake with Sugarloaf mountain behind all outstanding. Entry waterfall approx 8 EUR, gardens approx 11 EUR.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Luggala estate on the shores of Lough Tay, nicknamed the Guinness Lake for the extraordinary dark water surrounded by white sandy shores resembling a pint, is visible from the Military Road at the Sally Gap. The view is the most remarkable in Wicklow. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Dublin hotel before driving south Early start for Glendalough. Good breakfast before the mountains. | Lunch: Glendalough Hotel Classic Irish lunch in the extraordinary monastic valley. | Dinner: The Hungry Monk, Greystones The finest restaurant on the Wicklow coast. Book ahead.
DAY 4
BOYNE VALLEY PREHISTORIC LANDSCAPE
MORNING
NEWGRANGE, THE FINEST PASSAGE TOMB IN EUROPE
Newgrange, built around 3200 BC, is the most extraordinary passage tomb in Europe and older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian Pyramids. The remarkable cruciform passage is aligned precisely so the winter solstice sunrise illuminates the central chamber in a beam of light. The extraordinary corbelled roof of the chamber has been waterproof for 5,000 years. Visit via the Brú na Bóinne visitor centre. Entry approx 13 EUR. Book ahead. Travel: 45 min drive
MIDDAY
KNOWTH AND THE PASSAGE TOMB LANDSCAPE
Knowth, larger than Newgrange and surrounded by 17 smaller satellite tombs, has the greatest concentration of Neolithic art in Western Europe with the most extraordinary collection of megalithic kerbstones. The remarkable passage tomb complex and the extraordinary spiral, lozenge and concentric circle carvings on the stones are outstanding. Visited as part of the Brú na Bóinne tour. Entry included with Newgrange ticket. Travel: 15 min drive
AFTERNOON
THE HILL OF TARA AND TRIM CASTLE
The Hill of Tara in County Meath was the symbolic seat of the High Kings of Ireland for millennia, its extraordinary hilltop site encompassing Iron Age ring forts, the remarkable Lia Fail coronation stone and the extraordinary panoramic view over the fertile Boyne Valley. Trim Castle, the largest Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland at 3km to the southwest, was used as a film location for Braveheart. Entry Trim Castle approx 5 EUR.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Loughcrew Cairns in the Loughcrew Hills, 40km west of Newgrange, are the most remarkable and least visited prehistoric cemetery in Ireland. The summit cairns are accessible freely and the key to the main chamber is available from the local cafe. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Dublin hotel Early start for Newgrange. Arrive at Brú na Bóinne before opening to book the first tour. | Lunch: Brú na Bóinne visitor centre cafe Simple lunch after the extraordinary passage tombs. | Dinner: Frankie's, Trim or Dublin return Local Meath beef and the finest river town in the Boyne Valley.
DAY 5
COASTAL DUBLIN
MORNING
HOWTH CLIFF WALK AND THE HARBOUR
Howth, 35 minutes from Dublin by DART, has the finest coastal walk in the greater Dublin area, its extraordinary cliff path above the Irish Sea giving remarkable views of Dublin Bay, the Wicklow Mountains and on clear days the mountains of Wales. The harbour below is the finest fish market in Dublin. The extraordinary Howth Castle rhododendron gardens are outstanding in May and June. Free cliff walk. Travel: DART from Connolly
MIDDAY
MALAHIDE CASTLE AND VILLAGE
Malahide Castle, the home of the Talbot family for nearly 800 years until 1975, is the finest castle in the greater Dublin area. The extraordinary state rooms with their remarkable portrait collection, the walled gardens and the extraordinary Fry Model Railway in the grounds make it outstanding. The village of Malahide with its extraordinary estuary and the finest cafes on the Dublin coast is remarkable. Entry castle approx 15 EUR. Travel: DART to Malahide
AFTERNOON
DALKEY AND SANDYCOVE
Dalkey village, one of the most beautiful coastal villages in Ireland, has an extraordinary collection of towers and fortified town houses from the medieval period when it was a major port for Dublin. The Martello tower at Sandycove nearby, where James Joyce lived briefly in 1904 and which became the opening location of Ulysses, is now the extraordinary James Joyce Museum. Forty Foot bathing pool below the tower is the finest sea swim in Dublin. Entry tower approx 8 EUR.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Ireland's Eye island 1km offshore from Howth harbour, accessible by boat from the harbour, has a remarkable 8th-century monastic ruin and the finest view of the Howth Peninsula from offshore. Boat trips approx 15 EUR return. The puffins nest on the island from April to July.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Howth cafe on arrival Coffee and a Dublin Bay prawn sandwich at the harbour. | Lunch: Beshoff Bros, Howth The finest fish and chips in Ireland overlooking the harbour. | Dinner: Nosh, Dalkey The finest restaurant in Dalkey. Outstanding modern Irish cooking.
Where To Stay
Dublin city centre, all 5 nights Stay near St Stephen's Green or Temple Bar. Approx 100 to 200 EUR per night. Neighbourhood tip The Liberties or Portobello offer better value and great atmosphere. Summer booking Dublin fills fast in summer and on match weekends. Book well ahead.
Top Tips
1. Book the Book of Kells well ahead online. The queue without a booking can be 90 minutes.
2. Newgrange winter solstice entry is by lottery only. Apply in October for December visits.
3. The best pubs for traditional music in Dublin are Mulligan's, The Cobblestone and O'Donoghue's.
4. The DART coastal train to Howth takes 35 minutes and gives the finest view of Dublin Bay.
5. Kilmainham Gaol tours book out fast. Always reserve online before visiting.
6. The National Museum of Ireland on Kildare Street is one of the finest free museums in Europe.
Total Budget
160 to 300 EUR/day