Hello,
We are 6 graduate students studying in Europe and planning a trip to Ireland this weekend. We arrive at Dublin Airport Friday at 3:45pm and will be there until Monday. A few questions:

We would like to see a bit of the countryside, and maybe visit a castle outside of Dublin. One possibility is to rent a car from the airport (relatively cheap through easycar.com) and drive somewhere on Friday. Does anyone know of a good place to stay within a couple hours drive? I've read that we could spend the night in a castle. Any suggestions? Ideally, we would spend one night outside of Dublin and return on Saturday evening. Are there any good driving routes without traveling all the way to the West coast?

Thanks so much.

Would need further details for a truely intelligent recommendation, but (since you mention Castles)...
Drive to Cashel on Friday. Visit the Rock Of Cashel and Cahir Castle, in nearby Cahir. Spend the night in Carrigeen Castle for a 'castle- stay' on the cheap.
Sat. AM, drive to Kilkenny to see the castle there, then Glenndalough, in Co. Wicklow, to see the monastic ruins and phenominal scenery, en route to Dublin.
While in Dublin, other than Dublin Castle, consider Malahide Castle, the Casino and at least one Martello Tower.

How about castle Leslie in County Monaghan. They do a more B&B in the stable houses thats more affordable. You can drive from the airport easlily to the castle. Do a google as I no longer have the website.I would not drive all over the county as you will not have enough time.

Hi: We stayed at Castle Leslie (Glaslough, Co. Monaghan) last winter. We really enjoyed it. It is a true old castle, not fancy upscale and intimidating. The food was fabulous. It's maybe 3 hours from the Dublin airport and is a good suggestion for something very authentic. Thinking if you book last minute you might get a deal. The website is castleleslie.com. Just for info, it's where Paul McCartney had his wedding a few years back. Have fun whatever you do!!

If you're planning any serious driving - even only as far as Monaghan - check the Easycar offer BEFORE planning anything.

Easycar does not offer unlimited mileage. Its (usorious) mileage charges click in at something like 75 miles/day. Distances in Ireland can be surprisingly long.

It MIGHT work out OK to hire and pay for the car for, say, 6 days and return it after 3,as you then get 6 days of the daily minimum. But plan your route, and your hire stategy, in detail to avoid a serious shock when you return the car.

Check all the other small print as well. Hiring cars in Ireland is hardly ever good value by the standards even of its neighbours, and Easycar has Oscar nominations for its creativity in parting punters from their cash.

Only 1.5 hrs from Dublin towards Birr, Co Offaly is Kinnitty Castle .... don't know what your budget is but you get an authentic gothic castle atmosphere....
website is www.kinnittycastle.com

Kinitty is lovely but two things may be tough...god it took me ages to find when I went 6o a wedding last year and if you are tired and not used to driving on the oppisite side of the road it can be tough going.