Places to explore on a day tour from Dublin

From castles and monastic valleys to megalithic tombs and coastal towns, these are some of the best places to visit on a private day tour from Dublin.

Malahide Castle

Malahide Castle is set on 101 hectares (250 acres) of parkland beside the picturesque fishing village of Malahide. The Talbot family lived at Malahide Castle from 1185 to 1973, when the last Talbot died. The house is furnished with beautiful period furniture together with an extensive collection of Irish portrait paintings, mainly from the National Gallery.

Glendalough

Glendalough, the Valley of the Two Lakes, is one of the finest early Christian sites in Ireland and a highlight of a private Wicklow day tour from Dublin. The monastic settlement was founded in the 6th century by St Kevin. His fame as a holy man spread and he attracted numerous followers. He died in about 618. For six centuries afterwards, Glendalough flourished, and the Irish Annals record the deaths of abbots and raids on the settlement. The buildings that survive, including the round tower and cathedral, mostly date from the 10th to 12th centuries.

Carlingford

Carlingford is a picturesque medieval town on southern shore of Carlingford Lough in Co. Louth. The town still retains its medieval layout noticeable by the narrow lanes and small streets. Tholsel Street is where the last of the medieval walled town's gates can still be seen.

Proleek Dolmen

The Proleek Dolmen dates to the Stone Age around 3000 BC. The dolmen is composed of two portal stones, a lower backstone and a massive capstone, which weighs about 40 metric tons (44 tons). Local tradition claims that if a visitor lands three stones atop the dolmen, they will be granted a wish, or will be married within the year.

Into the Badlands - Wicklow locations

Into the Badlands Wicklow locations - Powerscourt House, Powercourt Waterfall, Lough Tay and Killruddery House.

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