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Attractions Nearby Dublin (Dublin, Ireland)



Dublin is full of many fantastic tourist attractions, but within a short journey from the city there are countless other superb places well worth a visit.

Whether you are looking for historical landmarks and buildings or beautifully landscaped gardens, you can be sure that you won't have far to travel. Here are some of our top recommendations.




Attractions Nearby Dublin: National Botanic Garden - Botanic Avenue, Glasnevin, Dublin
Tel: +353 (01) 837 4388
These splendid gardens are situated one mile north of Dublin city and are home to Ireland's foremost centre and botany and horticulture. There is a large, beautiful cast-iron Palm House and many other attractive greenhouse features that were all built between 1843 to 1869 by Richard Turner, who was also responsible for the famous Palm House construction at London's Kew Gardens. The 49-acre / 20-hectare site contains over 20,000 different plant species and countless other varieties. There are many attractive features, including a colourful display of Victorian carpet bedding, a renowned rose garden, a rich collection of cacti, orchids and some spectacular tropical giant water lilies. Some trees date back to the 18th century and there is also a giant redwood that towers to over 30 metres / 100 ft.
Attraction open: daily
Attraction admission: charge
March to October - Monday to Saturday 09:00 to 18:00, Sunday 11:00 to 18:00
November to February - Monday to Saturday 10:00 to 16:30, Sunday 11:00 to 16:30

Attractions Nearby Dublin: Malahide Castle - Coast Road, Malahide, Dublin
Tel: +353 (01) 846 2184
Dating from the 12th century, this very beautiful castle was occupied by the Anglo-Irish and aristocratic Talbot family from 1185 until 1976. Malahide Castle is a combination of styles and periods and is surrounded by a vast expanse of parkland and gardens, including a botanical garden full with over 5,000 different varieties of plants. Features include a National Portrait Gallery, with paintings of the Talbot family and other historic figures, a medieval great hall , which is the only one in the whole of Ireland preserved in its original form and the Fry Model Railway Museum, which is an extensive collection of rare models of the Irish railway. There is also an excellent self-service restaurant. The castle is situated 10 km / 6 miles north of Howth and can easily be reached by either bus, train or car.
Attraction open: daily
April to September - Monday to Saturday, 10:00 to 17:00, Sunday 14:00 to 18:00
Attraction admission: charge

Attractions Nearby Dublin: Talbot Botanic Gardens - Malahide Castle, Coast Road, Malahide, Dublin
Tel: +353 (01) 816 9914
The gardens, situated in the ground of Malahide Castle, remain largely in the same structure as they were when originally created during 1948 to 1973 by Lord Milo Talbot , although they have matured well. They cover an area of over 20 acres of landscaped shrubbery and four acres of walled gardens. There is a strong emphasis on the cultivation of plants from the Southern Hemisphere and many of these species and varieties were actually collected by Lord Talbot. The collection is constantly expanding, with the addition of new species and varieties. A seed exchange has been resumed and many additional semi-tender species have been planted as a result. Further improvements are being assisted by the Great Gardens of Ireland Restoration Programme. The gardens are located 8 miles / 13 km northeast of Dublin City and facilities include teas, toilets, wheelchair access and guided tours of the walled gardens on Wednesday afternoons at 14:00.
Attraction open: daily, May to September - 14:00 to 17:00
Attraction admission: charge, children under 12 are free

Attractions Nearby Dublin: Ardgillan Castle and Demesne - Balbriggan, County Dublin 
Tel: +353 (01) 849 2212
The Ardgillan Castle was built in 1738 and is situated in around 200 acres of scenic parkland. There are superb views of the Northern Dublin coastline and also a beautiful Rose Garden, Yew Walk, Ice House, Victorian conservatory and there are even rumours of a ghost. The castle can be easily reached by bus.
Open:
April to September - Tuesday to Sunday 11:00 to 18:00
July to August - daily 11:00 to 18:00
October to March - Tuesday to Sunday 11:00 to 16.30
Closed: December 23 to January 1

Attractions Nearby Dublin: Avoca and Glendalough - County Wicklow
Tel: +353 (01) 605 7705
Situated south of Dublin, County Wicklow is often referred to as The Garden of Ireland. A day trip from Dublin is highly recommended and there are various coach tours that do both half and full-day trips.  

Attractions Nearby Dublin: Powerscourt Demesne - Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow 
Tel: +353 (01) 204 6000
Set in County Wicklow, Powerscourt House and Gardens are well worth a trip. There are 47 acres of landscaped gardens, which include many stunning Italian and Japanese features. The house has an excellent Terrace Café and also several craft shops. The spectacular Powerscourt Waterfall is also nearby. If you are not travelling by car, a bus tour is another option.
Attraction open: daily - 09:30 to 17:30, may close earlier in the winter

Attractions Nearby Dublin: Irish National Stud and Japanese Gardens - Tully, Kildare Town, Co. Kildare
Tel: +353 (0)4552 1617 / 522963
Kildare town is approximately a 45 minutes' journey from Dublin and has two main attractions, the Irish National Stud and the Japanese Gardens. Also, nearby Saint Fiachra's Garden was opened in 1999.

Situated on the Tully farm, The Irish National Stud has been breeding thoroughbreds since 1900. Featuring approximately 300 boxes on the land, The Irish National Stud supplies high-class stallions to the Irish bloodstock industry. Located close to The Irish National Stud are the well-preserved ruins of Black Abbey, which was built in 1212.

Created in 1906, the enchanting Japanese Gardens are acknowledged as the finest Japanese gardens in Europe and are home to many rare plants. An underground stone passage transports you into the new St. Fiachra's Commemorative Garden. St. Fiachra was born in 590 AD and is the patron saint of gardeners. This garden features an unusual stone hermitage encompassed by water and an inner rock garden, with handcrafted Waterford Crystal pieces. The garden can be reached by either car, train or bus.
Attraction open: daily
February 12 to November 12 - 09:30 to 18:00, last admission 17:00

Attractions Nearby Dublin: Newgrange - Newgrange, Co. Meath. 
This is the largest and most historic Neolithic tomb in Europe, built some 5,000 years ago. It was designed to allow the sun's rays to reach the central chamber at dawn on December 21st. Similar tombs are located nearby in both Knowth and Dowth. The garden can be reached either by car, one hour's drive west of Dublin, train or bus.

Attractions Nearby Dublin: Gray Line Tours - Gray Line Desk, Tourism Centre, Suffolk Street, Dublin
Tel: +353 (01) 605 7705  
Half-day tours include outings to Boyne Valley and Newgrange, Malahide Castle and North Dublin, Glendalough in Wicklow, Enniskerry and Powerscourt, the South Coast and Avoca Handweavers. Full day tours include Ballykissangel and Powerscourt, Glendalough and also trips to Wicklow mountains

Attractions Nearby Dublin: National Sea Life Centre - The Promenade, Bray, Co. Wicklow 
Tel: +353 (01) 286 6939
This sea life centre is home to over 30 displays of underwater wildlife, ranging from shrimps to impressive sharks and is situated on the sea front. The nearest DART train station is Bray.    
Attraction open: daily, 10:00 to 17:00
Attraction admission: charge

Attractions Nearby Dublin: National Transport Museum - Howth Castle Demesne, Howth, County Dublin 
Tel: +353 (01) 848 0831  
The National Transport Museum is devoted to the preservation of Irish transport heritage and is run by volunteers. The nearest DART train station is Howth.
Attraction open: daily, Monday to Friday 10:00 to 17:00, Saturday and Sunday 14:00 to 17:00

 
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