Hi, I'm planning a trip to Ireland in late July and for the first 4 days of my trip will likely be traveling alone. I am looking to do day trips from Dublin as I will be meeting a friend there at the end of the 4 days.

I am not traveling with a car.

Are Howth and Glendalough good places to go? Is one day each enough or too much?

Where else could I go from Dublin for a day?

Is it possible, and easy, to get to Clonmachnoise from Dublin for a day?

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

Glendalough can use a day very well.

Howth: I'm not so sure, possibly not; it depends on how much you like walking. But it's very convenient to get to Howth from the city centre and get back again, so you can be flexible.

Clonmacnoise from Dublin without a car is difficult.

Howth was interesting as a fishing port with good seafood restaurants. The castle/manor house was also. This is an easy train trip from Dublin. I think however I would spring for a tour to Newgrange if the time permits. Outstanding!!! Amer_can

Glendalough is a wonderful place. I believe there are day trips by bus that go there and get you back to the city in time for evening activities.

Newgrange is also a day trip by bus and a marvelous experience.

However, Glendalough is my personal favorite of the two.

Howth is a short trip from the city center by DART and you could spend the whole day there or just part of a day. It would depend on your interests and weather.

More on the same topics:

Mary Gibbons is one of the few tours that does Glendalough and Powerscourt together. That would be a good choice.

Glendalough and Newgrange are entirely different experiences as Newgrangrange is roughly 5000 years old and Glendalough is an early Christian settlement about 1500 years old. Each are wonderful in their own rite. Depends on your interests.

Padraig references to walking cover the clidd train that maninly floows the south and west facing sides of the peninsula. Nice walks on a nice day.

Bill