My BF and I will be in Ireland for 5 days in November. We are planning three nights in Dublin and two days somewhere else. I am leaning toward Kilkenny because it is a big enough town that it won't be deserted in the off-season and we will be able to walk to shops, bars and restaurants. My BF has said he would like to get to the coast though, so I am wondering about stopping somewhere on the coast either on the way to or from Kilkenny. Is there anywhere you would suggest for walking around and having lunch by the water? Perhaps Dalkey or Killiney? Will this make it very difficult to get to Kilkenny (we'd like to reach Kilkenny during daylight hours, which in November means by 4:30)?

If we decide to stay in Dublin the whole time and make day trips I suppose we could vist the coast to the north of Dublin as well if that is a better idea.

Thanks very much!

You won't really pass anywhere on the coast en route to Kilkenny from Dublin seeing as you are going inland.

Dalkey village is lovely and has some nice restaurants. Howth is also very nice for a daytrip out of the city.

I would suggest if you are visiting Kilkenny on a daytrip that you just do Kilkenny and do your coast trip another day.

Greystones, south of Dublin on the coast fits your bill and I believe it is service by rail from Dublin but as the previous poster said Kilkenny is taking you away from the coast. have fun

Greystones does indeed have train service. It is the last stop on the DART. Also bus service--#84 from the bus stop near Trinity Collage.

Howth - (a fishing port) north side of Dublin Bay is a good place for walking. You can get a DART to Howth Station and walk around the harbour. There are restaurants etc along the pier.
If you are interested in a long walk you can go to the end of the village and take the coast walk right around to Sutton and get the train or bus back fro m there.
On the south side - you can get a DART to Greystones and walk from there along the coast path back to Bray and join the DART there to return to the city.
Or you can get off the DART at Bray on outward journey and do the cliff walk to Greystones, and catch a DART back from there.

Thanks for the Greystones suggestion - we are considering staying the night here and having dinner at The Hungry Monk. Can anyone recommend good lodging in town (walking/taxi distance to The Hungry Monk?)

Thanks very much!