10 Best Road Trips Near Dublin

Located just over an hour from Dublin, the Wicklow Mountains boast some of Ireland’s most impressive visual landscapes. As you head further and further south from the capital, urban views give way to green rural vistas. When you arrive at the mountains, you can stop for a bite in a quaint village like Avoca or take on one of the area’s many hiking trails.

You can reach the Wicklow Mountains from Dublin by heading south along the R115. If you follow the same road a little further south, you’ll reach the glacial valley of Glendalough, which is famous for its Early Medieval monastic village.

The Boyne Valley is home to Ireland’s ancient capital, located about 20 minutes east of Dublin by car. In this historical area, you’ll find over 90 monuments and 3 neolithic passage tombs that dominate the landscape. In addition to history, the Boyne Valley is home to beautiful views of nature and the River Boyne, making it an excellent destination for walking.

While you’re exploring the Boyne Valley, don’t forget to visit the UNESCO-listed Brú na Bóinne to get an insight into the area’s heritage. This historical site is open from 9 am to 7 pm daily, and you can learn more about Ireland’s ancient capital at the onsite visitor centre.

Kilkenny is a medieval town and city in the southeast of Ireland, most famous for its 12^th-century castle that was built by Normal occupiers. Other notable landmarks include 13^th-century church and monasteries such as the Black Abbey Dominican Priory and Saint Canice’s Cathedral. You’ll also find traditional crafts shops lining its quaint, winding lanes.

To reach Kilkenny from Dubin, you can either take the M4 or M7 to the M9, with the M7 usually being the quickest route. A 1-way journey should take around 1 hour and 40 minutes. If you want to learn about Kilkenny’s heritage, we recommend visiting the St. Mary’s Medieval Mile Museum.

Located on Ireland’s east coast just a short distance from Dublin, Drogheda boasts an array of medieval buildings as well as museums, galleries and churches. It’s also just 5 miles from the UNESCO-listed Newgrange historic site, which is a 5,000-year-old prehistoric monument.

The journey from Dublin to Drogheda can take as little as 40 minutes. However, because traffic frequently doubles the driving time, we recommend setting off before 8 am. The easiest way to drive to Drogheda is to follow the M1 north. For a more scenic adventure, follow the N2 and continue on to the R152.

Located just over half an hour north of Dublin, Meath is home to some of Ireland’s most important historical monuments, including the well-preserved Anglo-Norman Trim Castle and the ancient Hill of Tara burial site. If you want to have a break while driving around Meath, we recommend stopping in a town such as Navan, Kells or Laytown, where you’ll find a beach by the Irish Sea.

To reach Navan, the county town of Meath, simply follow the M3 north from Dublin and turn onto the N51 at exit 9. In low traffic, you should reach Navan in around 40 minutes, though it’s best to plan on driving for just over an hour to be on the safe side.

The Burren, which is part of the UNESCO-listed Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark, is about 3 hours west from Dublin. Here, you’ll find otherworldly karst landscapes, limestone cliffs and countryside vistas. It’s an ideal place for adventurers, with climbing, hiking and caving being popular activities.

If you are okay with a full day of driving, we recommend heading to the Cliffs of Moher, Kilmacduagh Monastery and Galway city after visiting The Burren. Take the M7 to The Burren and the M6 back to Dublin from Galway to complete a long-distance scenic loop.

Wexford is the county town of County Wexford, which is home to idyllic beaches and spectacular villages. Popular attractions include Curracloe Beach – which features in the opening scenes of Saving Private Ryan – the Irish National Heritage Park, and the Wexford Wildfowl Reserve. We also recommend visiting the Hook Lighthouse, which is the world’s second-oldest operating lighthouse.

By following the M11 south, the drive from Dublin to Wexford takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes without congestion. If you fancy driving further, head to Tramore and follow the coastal road to Dungarvan. It’s known as the Copper Coast Drive and is reputed to be one of Ireland’s best unspoilt scenic drives.

Glendalough is a picturesque glacial valley in County Wicklow. Its most popular attraction is its 6^th-century monastic settlement, but the river bounded by rolling hills make the view worth the drive alone. For a journey through history, we recommend visiting the monuments of St Peter and St Paul’s Cathedral, the Priests’ House and the Round Tower.

The fastest way to drive from Dublin to Glendalough is to follow the M50 south to R755. The drive should take just over an hour. However, we highly recommend instead taking the R155 so that you can drive through the stunning Wicklow Mountains National Park, which adds an extra 20 minutes to your journey.

The Copper Coast Drive View Point is the place to go if you want to take in one of Ireland’s most impressive natural views. The area is defined by its sweeping bays and dramatic cliffs. Just a few minutes away is the UNESCO-listed Copper Coast Geopark, which is famous for its 19^th-century copper mining heritage.

The easiest way to reach the Copper Coast Drive View Point from Dublin is to follow the M9 south for about 2 hours and 15 minutes to Wexford. You can avoid tolls by taking the M7 route, which usually takes around 2 hours and 50 minutes.

The Rock of Cashel is one of Ireland’s most iconic attractions outside of Dublin. Most of the buildings that make up this castle complex have been standing since the 12^th and 13^th centuries, with the complex’s most notable structure being the 28-metre-tall Round Tower. This well-preserved historical landmark is a must-visit for fans of medieval architecture.

You can reach the Rock of Cashel from Dublin in about 1 hour and 50 minutes by following the M7 and M8, though this route has tolls. To avoid toll fees, you can take the M9 instead of continuing along the M7. It’ll add 30 minutes to your journey, but you can stop for a coffee break and a wander in the beautiful city of Kilkenny.