Here's what ChatGPT gave me when I asked about day trips around Dublin.
1. Howth
- Travel Time: 30 minutes by DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit).
- Why Visit?
A picturesque fishing village with scenic coastal views, hiking trails, and great seafood.
- Top Activities:
- Walk the Howth Cliff Path Loop.
- Visit Howth Castle and Gardens.
- Enjoy fresh seafood at local restaurants.
- Train Station: Dublin Connolly Station to Howth.
2. Malahide
- Travel Time: 25 minutes by DART.
- Why Visit?
A charming seaside town known for Malahide Castle and its beautiful grounds.
- Top Activities:
- Tour Malahide Castle and Gardens.
- Stroll along the marina or beach.
- Explore quaint cafes and shops in town.
- Train Station: Dublin Connolly Station to Malahide.
3. Bray and Greystones
- Travel Time: 45 minutes to Bray; an additional 15 minutes to Greystones by DART.
- Why Visit?
A seaside escape with a stunning cliff walk between Bray and Greystones.
- Top Activities:
- Hike the Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk (7 km).
- Relax on the beach or enjoy the local cafes.
- Visit Bray Head for panoramic views.
- Train Station: Dublin Connolly or Pearse Station to Bray or Greystones.
4. Kilkenny
- Travel Time: About 1 hour 30 minutes by train.
- Why Visit?
A medieval city with a rich history, vibrant culture, and beautiful architecture.
- Top Activities:
- Explore Kilkenny Castle and its grounds.
- Visit St. Canice’s Cathedral and climb the Round Tower.
- Wander the Medieval Mile and enjoy local crafts.
- Train Station: Dublin Heuston Station to Kilkenny (MacDonagh Station).
5. Belfast (Northern Ireland)
- Travel Time: 2 hours by train.
- Why Visit?
Northern Ireland’s capital, rich in history, culture, and Titanic heritage.
- Top Activities:
- Tour the Titanic Belfast museum.
- Visit the historic Crumlin Road Gaol.
- Stroll through the Cathedral Quarter for pubs and street art.
- Train Station: Dublin Connolly Station to Belfast Lanyon Place.
6. Wicklow and Glendalough (via Train + Bus)
- Travel Time: 1 hour to Wicklow Town by train, plus a 30-minute bus ride to Glendalough.
- Why Visit?
Stunning mountain scenery, lakes, and ancient monastic ruins.
- Top Activities:
- Hike in Glendalough Valley (choose from several trails).
- Visit the Monastic City and its iconic round tower.
- Enjoy the serenity of the lakes.
- Train Station: Dublin Connolly Station to Wicklow Town, then take a local bus to Glendalough.
I booked us one day to Belfast and Giant's Causeway, another day to the Cliffs of Moher and Galway. The day we land, we're doing a walking tour of Dublin that is "best of the best" on TripAdvisor to get our bearings. There are some great trips through TripAdvisor - I think all of those were either green or gold-rated.
If people haven't already gotten their plane tickets, flights are about half-price right now from what they usually are from MPLS-Dublin on AerLingus. Usually flights are $900-$1200 per person roundtrip, right now they're between $480 and $560. We got ours - if you're worried about paying right now, you can do a down payment instead and then pay the rest off by June. Just keep in mind that you wouldn't be able to select seats until you pay it off - which is why we went ahead and just did it now.
Hotels are also already filling up, as that's the tourist season and general overall European holiday in addition to the ISU game, so looking at those now is a good idea, also.