I will be staying in Dublin next week for four days. I am wondering if I should consider renting a car and planning some day trips. Any suggestions?

It depend on what sort of thing you like to do. There are some good places to visit withing easy driving distance of Dublin. In the city, a car is a liability.

But the weather here has been foul, and that might mar the pleasure of a jaunt into such a place as the Wicklow mountains.

Bummer about the weather, but because we are coming from the US, I think we might brave it as I don't know when we may get back again.

I was thinking we would visit Glendalough and wander through the mountains a bit- any thoughts?

How about HOWTH HEAD or BRAY HEAD? Both seem accessible by public transport rather than renting a car?

Any thoughts on Dun Laoghaire?

Actually one of the most memorable times I've had was at Glendalough in the rain. It was moody, uncrowded, mysterious and atmospheric. It was also cold, wet ...

Same is true probably of most outdoorsy things within a day's trip. Malahide Castle is a decent exception.

No bad weather though, just bad clothes. All said, an afternoon in a warm pub wouldn't be a half bad choice either.

Howth is worth a visit. It has, to some extent, been absorbed into Dublin suburban sprawl, but there is enough scenic stuff there to make it worthwhile. Accessible by DART (commuter rail).

Bray, too, has been suburbanised. The seafront is a victorian promenade. Bray Head is a good walk. If you really like walking, you can walk the coast from Bray to Greystones. The DART serves both places.

Glendalough can be visited by bus. See http://www.glendaloughbus.com/ At this time of year, because the days are short and the weather uncertain, it might not be worth hiring a car.

I highly recommend Glendalough. It is a beautiful, serene place in any weather (despite the hordes of tourists in the summer). Also worth a visit is Powerscourt Gardens, on the way to Glendalough. Dun Laoghaire is a nice little fishing suburb of Dublin.

North of Dublin you have Malahide, Newgrange, Hill of Tara, etc.