Suggestions for a one-day excursion, maybe with overnight stay, in the region surrounding Dublin? (Starting from Dublin City Sunday a.m., and returing to Dublin Airport Monday a.m.)

I would suggest either a trip to County Wicklow where you could take in Powerscourt Gardens & Waterfall and Glendalough. You could then stay south of the city and take the East Link toll bridge to the airport on Monday am(I'm assuming you're driving!). Otherwise, you could go to County Meath and see Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth and stay somewhere like Swords which is quite close to the airport.

If you have a car stay in Enniskerry (Town that powerscourt is located) in a B&B or there is the summer Hill Hotel. You can then drive to Glendolough.

Also you could just stay in Laragh in a B&B and spen the whole time in Glendolough.

it would take a long time to get from Laragh to the airport though if it's an early start. You'd be better off staying somewhere on the south side of the city. Perhaps somewhere like the Stillorgan Park Hotel? It has just been awarded a 4* rating and is on the N11 which would be handy on your way back from Wicklow. It's also very close to the coast road for the East Link to the airport. It has good parking facilities too.

Isn't the airport on the north side of the city?

yes, the airport is on the north side of the city, but it's relatively quick to get from the southside if you go by the East Link Toll Bridge. It means you can avoid the city centre traffic on your way to the airport.

It depends on what time Monday morning you leave. If its rush hour there could be some traffic.

How about staying in a B&B in Malahaide and then drive to Newgrange. Malahide is close to the airport or even swords. Malahid is a nice village on the seafront and has lots of places to eat in various price ranges and pubs for evening drinks.

Swords as wll is beside the airport and has a few restaurants and pubs for the evening. Both are easy access to get to Newgrange.

Would it be too much to cover Powerscourt Gardens/Waterfall & Glendalough in the morning and Newgrange in the afternoon?

Any specific suggestions on where to stay in County Meath, located where I can get to the airport within 30 minutes?

There are bus tour/excursions to either Glendalough or Newgrange that depart Dublin and would not require a car. You could take the shuttle or a taxi to the airport the next day. Just an option to consider.

I would say that trying to do Powerscourt Estates and Glendalough and Newgrange all in one day might be a bit much, and there's some distance between Glendalough and Newgrange (opposite directions from Dublin). Plus, depending on time of year, Newgrange might have an extended wait to get a tour. Typical suggestion is to get there as early as possible, as it tends to get busier later on.

Glendalough, imo, deserves a half or full day in itself (could combine with Powerscourt though). There's a lot of trails, paths, and walking/hiking there if you so desire.

I think there's another recent thread with the exact same question that you can get additional info.

Yes, it would be too much to do Glendalough and Newgrange in the one day. Glendalough and Powerscourt would be perfect for a day trip together, but Newgrange is just too far away to include.

Vagabondman, I would not stay in meath as you will still encounter traffic, STay in either swords or northside in Malahide or Clontarf where there are several B&B'w. Swords village is closest to the airport.

re: Newgrange

Unless you are there in the very off, off season, the tours at Newgrange fill up fast. And, believe it or not, as the winter solstice approaches it only get busier. If you want to visit this place and take in the tour(s) [Newgrange and Knowth - you can choose to do both, one or the other] then getting there earlier in the day is better than later. Usually by noon the tours are all full and you can really only "do" the visitor's centre.

However, if you did the opposite, went to Newgrange first thing and then headed to Powerscourt, you just *might* fit both in (I've not done Powers Court so have no idea how long exactly it would take to visit. I suspect you couldn't visit it ALL because of the size of the gardens...) Just MHO.

Good luck!

Wendy

If I were to choose EITHER (a) South: Powerscourt Gardens/Waterfall and Glendalough or (b) North: Newgrange and Hills of Tara, what do you recommend for one day outside Dublin?

Also, is anyone familiar with Skerries and The Red Bank Lodge and Guesthouse located there; I'm considering it for the evening before catching my morning flight?

Having not been to Hills of Tara, unfortunately, my opinion would be to TRY for Newgrange and Glendalough in one day. Not sure if anyone's done this before. That could only work if you got to Newgrange when they open, take the hour tour without much wait, and then head straight down to Glendalough for the rest of the day. But even that might be a push.

Although Powerscourt is quite a nice estate, I'm not as much into the house or gardens as I am into walking/hiking/lakes/scenery like Glendalough has.

Newgrange was neat to me, even though there's not a whole lot to actually do there, but you could take the Newgrange AND Knowth tour, which will take about 2-3hr tour.

Depends on what you like to do I guess. I could send you some pictures of Powerscourt and Glendalough and Newgrange if you wanted, email me at [email protected] and let me know.

If you like to walk and explore, then Glendalough and Powerscourt might be it. If you're interested in the ancient history, then Newgrange and Hills of Tara would be good.
When are you going? That can change the opinion too.

To your specific question, I guess I'd take the Glendalough/Powerscourt trip since I like to explore the scenery, just my preference.

A note on Wendy's post, I think you could spend about 1.5-2hrs at Powerscourt, including the house tour and waterfall, and be satisfied. I didn't take the house tour and spent about an hour in the gardens and waterfall. (the gardens are basically on a big circle walking route, and the waterfall is a few miles drive down the road)

vagabondman, Last time I was in Ireland another guest at a place I was staying highly recommended The Red Bank Lodge and Guesthouse to me. Haven't been there yet though.

You should let the weather determine what you do. If it is wonderful, go south to Wicklow and do Powerscourt & Glendalough. If it isn't the best day do Newgrange (mostly inside).

Thanks for all of the helpful advice!