Step inside a 5,000-year-old passage tomb at Newgrange. Walk Kilkenny’s medieval streets. Stand among monastic ruins in the Glendalough valley.
Discover the best day trips from Dublin into Ireland’s Ancient East, visiting some of Ireland’s most iconic sites.
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3 Best Day Trip Itineraries from Dublin
We’ve created three unique day trips from Dublin. Each showcases a different aspect of Ireland’s Ancient East, a region stretching from the border with Northern Ireland south to County Cork. Discover prehistoric tombs, medieval towns, castles, monastic sites and more, all in the gently rolling hills of eastern Ireland.
Choose what suits your interests and time best. If you have multiple days, do all three!
Trip 1 Itinerary: Newgrange & Knowth at Brú na Bóinne
Visit the 5,000-year-old passage tombs at UNESCO’s Brú na Bóinne, including guided tours of Newgrange and Knowth. They’re both older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids.
Practical Information:
- Round trip drive time: 2 hours (50 to 60 minutes from Dublin each way)
- Duration of visit: 3 – 4 hours
- Best for: archaeology lovers, UNESCO sites, guided experiences
- Optional: Dowth passage tomb, Monasterboice monastic site
Trip 2 Itinerary: Kilkenny and the Rock of Cashel
Explore medieval Kilkenny Castle, St. Canice’s Cathedral and the dramatic Rock of Cashel, one of Ireland’s most iconic ruins.
Practical Information:
- Round trip drive time: 4.25 hours (Dublin to Kilkenny 1h30; Kilkenny to Cashel 1h; Cashel back to Dublin 1h45)
- Duration of visit: 4 – 6 hours
- Best for: medieval city vibes, iconic ruins, history and architecture
- Optional: Overnight in Kilkenny, Cahir Castle
Trip 3 Itinerary: Glendalough Monastery and Valley
Discover Glendalough Monastery, one of Ireland’s earliest Christian monasteries, in the beautiful Glendalough Valley.
Practical Information:
- Round trip drive time: 2.5 hours (1 hour 15 minutes from Dublin each way)
- Duration of visit: 3 – 5 hours
- Best for: monastic ruins, lakeside walks, scenic drives
- Optional: Hike in Glendalough Valley, Wicklow Mountains National Park
Ireland’s Ancient East Map
All three day trips begin within a 90-minute drive of Dublin, making them perfect for a full day out of the city.
Day Trip 1: Newgrange & Knowth at Brú na Bóinne
This day trip concentrates on some of Europe’s most important Neolithic monuments, the massive passage tombs of Newgrange and Knowth at Brú na Bóinne. Depending on your available time, visit the Dowth passage tomb and see the stunning high crosses at the nearby Monasterboice monastic site.
Key sites:
Optional:
Important note: The only way to visit either Newgrange or Knowth is by guided tour. Pre-booking online is imperative as tours are by timed-entry ticket. Visit the Bru na Boinne website for full tour details and booking. Tours depart by shuttle from the visitor centre where there is lots of parking. You cannot drive to the tombs directly.
Brú na Bóinne
The Neolithic monument complex in County Meath, Brú na Bóinne, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built around 3200 BCE, over 5,000 years ago, it encompasses the great passage tombs of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth and over 90 more monuments, all within a bend of the River Boyne.
These monuments predate both Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids and contain Europe’s largest collection of prehistoric megalithic art, the art of the structural stones of passage tombs. Guided tours visit the interior of both Newgrange and Knowth.
All visits begin at the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre. Through interactive exhibitions and displays, we learned that the tombs served multiple functions beyond burial which included being used for astronomical observation and ritual ceremonies. Several passages align precisely with solstices and equinoxes. The site remained culturally and spiritually important from the Neolithic period through to medieval times.
Guided tours begin at the Visitor Centre with shuttle buses transporting visitors from the centre to Newgrange and Knowth. The full tour, visiting both sites, lasts about 3 hours.
Newgrange
This massive, circular structure is 13 metres high and 85 metres across. The base of the Newgrange mound is surrounded by 97 kerbstones, some weighing several tonnes, which act like a retaining wall stabilizing the mound of earth and stone. Many of the kerbstones are carved with intricate spirals and geometric designs, examples of megalithic art.
A narrow, stone-lined corridor extends 19 metres into Newgrange to a small cross-shaped inner chamber with three recesses where cremated remains were placed. Archaeologists discovered both burnt and unburnt human bones, along with burial offerings, in this central chamber.
At sunrise on December 21st, the winter solstice, sunlight shines through a small opening above the entrance and travels down the passage, briefly lighting up the inner chamber. Many of the corridor’s stones are carved with geometric patterns.
Think of the engineering skill and astronomical knowledge required to design and build Newgrange. Just the transportation of the stones, brought from over 80 kilometres away, is an incredible feat. The interior chamber was definitely the highlight of our visit.
Knowth
The next great passage tomb at Brú na Bóinne, Knowth, is slightly smaller than Newgrange but contains two corridors within its central mound. The main, grass-covered mound measures 12 metres high and 67 metres across. It is surrounded by approximately 20 smaller satellite tombs. Around the base there were originally 127 kerbstones, most of which are in place. Many are carved with spirals, zigzags, and concentric circles. Knowth has over 380 stones decorated with art, part of the largest collection of megalithic art in the world.
The two inner corridors, one facing east and the other west, each lead to a separate burial chamber. The alignment may have marked the spring and autumn equinoxes, when day and night are equal in length. As with Newgrange, excavations revealed cremated remains and grave goods but also decorated stones, indicating that Knowth served as both a burial site and a ceremonial centre.
There is evidence of the construction and reuse of Knowth between about 3,000 BCE and 1,200 CE. It was a hillfort and settlement, with traces of early medieval houses and subterranean earth works still visible. We explored the exterior mounds and saw some of the megalithic art on the guided tour. The interior corridors are not open to the public.
Dowth
Dowth is the least excavated of the three great passage tombs at Brú na Bóinne. The main mound measures 15 metres high and 90 metres across. Less than half of the original 115 kerbstones remain visible, though some still show their carved spirals, chevrons, and solar symbols.
The mound contains two chambers known as Dowth North and Dowth South both facing west. A large crater on top resulted from unprofessional excavations conducted in the mid-19th century. You can walk up into the crater but access to the interior of the mound is blocked.
The site sits in peaceful countryside surrounded by grassy slopes and grazing land. It is open to everyone to visit.
If you do the guided tour of Newgrange and Knowth, Dowth won’t offer you anything other than the experience of having a Neolithic site all to yourself. If you are short on time, don’t bother visiting Dowth.
From the Neolithic art and burial chambers of Brú na Bóinne, it’s a short drive to Monasterboice, for a quick look at the impressive High Crosses of the monastic site.
Monasterboice Monastic Site and High Crosses
The early medieval monastic site is best known for its 35-metre-tall round tower and three high crosses. These are set in a tranquil graveyard also containing two 14th-century church ruins built on the ruins of older churches. The Monasterboice high crosses are considered among Ireland’s finest early Christian monuments.
Saint Buithe founded the original monastery in the late 5th or early 6th century. The site functioned as a centre for learning and spiritual life for centuries. Monasterboice is derived from the Irish name Mainistir Bhuithe, which means “the monastery of Buithe”.
The main attraction is the 10th-century Muiredach’s Cross (the southern most) standing about 5.5 metres tall. It is made of sandstone and has 63 panels with detailed carvings, depicting scenes from both Old and New Testaments.
Within the graveyard, Monasterboice Round Tower, built in the 10th century from local stone, rises about 35 metres. It served as bell tower, watch post and refuge for the monks during Viking raids. Its doorway sits high above ground. There is no public access to the tower.
Enjoy wandering the quiet graveyard. The usually available graveyard plans are very useful, explaining some of the detail on the crosses.
Day Trip 2: Kilkenny & Rock of Cashel
This trip combines Kilkenny, Ireland’s best-preserved medieval city, with the medieval ruins of the Rock of Cashel. This tour is a very long day. If you have time, consider spending a full day exploring Kilkenny. On Day 2 explore the Rock of Cashel, Hore Abbey and Cahir Castle before returning to Dublin.
Key sites:
Optional:
Kilkenny
Kilkenny is a medieval city in Ireland’s Ancient East, just an hour and a half from Dublin. It’s known for its lively streets and well-preserved historic centre. Often called the “Marble City”, it takes its nickname from the polished black limestone used in many of its buildings and monuments.
The city’s key attraction is Kilkenny Castle, on the southeast side of the city centre.
Kilkenny Castle
Overlooking the River Nore, Kilkenny Castle was built around 1195 to command a key river crossing during the Norman consolidation of Ireland. Three of its four medieval corner towers still stand, framed by a deep, dry moat.
The Butlers, an Anglo-Norman-Irish noble family, purchased Kilkenny Castle in the late 14th century. They made it their principal Irish residence for nearly 600 years. They remodelled it extensively over the centuries, including the grand 19th-century interiors seen today. Restored rooms include the Picture Gallery, a highlight with its lofty hammer-beam ceiling, portraits of the Butler family and select works from their art collection.
Originally the castle was surrounded by a huge deer park. Today the grounds are considerably smaller and popular with residents and visitors. At the front of the castle, the terraced formal garden is laid out in geometric beds of roses with an impressive fountain at its centre. Behind the castle, parkland stretches along the River Nore. There are native woodland and wildflower meadows and open space for picnics and sports. When we visited on a weekday September evening, it was busy with runners, walkers and families.
The castle is open daily for both self-guided and guided tours. The castle grounds are open to the public year-round, offering riverside walks, picnic areas, and fine views of the castle.
Kilkenny’s main attractions lie within easy walking distance along the Medieval Mile, making it a perfect day-trip destination.
Kilkenny’s Medieval Mile
The Medieval Mile cuts through the heart of the medieval city linking Kilkenny Castle with St. Canice’s Cathedral,. The route encompasses centuries of architectural and social history. Pass museums, churches, merchant houses, and civic landmarks along once cobblestone streets and on hidden laneways. Explore it at your own pace, visiting what interests you, including landmarks that reveal Kilkenny’s rich past.
Once you’ve visited the castle, head to the St. Marys Medieval Mile Museum, a great stop for a general introduction to Kilkenny. It’s on St. Mary’s Lane, just east of High Street. Occupying a restored 13th-century church, the museum presents 800 years of local history. The surrounding graveyard contains tombs of Kilkenny’s wealthy merchant families. There are civic records right back to the 1200s. Visit the museum website for information on museum exhibits, guided museum tours and Medieval Mile walking tours.
Continuing along High Street, the Tholsel stands out with its five-arched arcade and octagonal clock tower. This 18th-century neoclassical building replaced an earlier medieval tholsel where market tolls and taxes were collected. This was Kilkenny’s city hall until 2014 when its borough council was merged into the county one. The building now hosts small civic meetings, exhibitions, and public events.
Continue along the trail, onto Parliament Street. Rothe House & Garden preserves Ireland’s only intact early 17th-century merchant’s townhouse. The property features three interlinked houses and a restored medieval garden. If time allows, go inside to see the many artifacts.
Before reaching the cathedral, make a detour down Abbey Street through the Black Freren Gate, part of Kilkenny’s medieval city walls, to The Black Abbey. A 13th-century Dominican priory, the church houses one of Ireland’s largest stained glass windows. The Rosary Window was created by the renowned Franz Mayer and Company of Munich in 1892.
Return to Parliament Street and continue up St. Canice’s steps which were first mentioned in the early 17th century.
St Canice’s Cathedral
St Canice’s Cathedral was constructed in the 13th century. Due to roof and wall issues, much of it was rebuilt over the next 3 centuries and it has been extensively renovated since. The limestone cathedral features early Gothic architecture with elaborate stained glass windows and a vaulted roof completed in 1863. Ancient grave slabs, ornate tombs of the Butler dynasty, and numerous medieval memorials are carved into its interior walls and floor. The cathedral is built on the site of St. Canice’s 6th-century monastery.
On the south side of the cathedral, St. Canice’s Round Tower stands 30 metres high and dates from the 9th century. It is the oldest standing building in Kilkenny. Climb the tower’s 121 steep steps. It is one of very few medieval towers still open to the public. From the top, see panoramic views of Kilkenny and the surrounding countryside.
There is a charge to tour the cathedral and to climb the tower. Guided tours are available of both. Unfortunately we arrived too late to climb the tower.
If you are spending a full day in Kilkenny, here are a few more interesting places to visit.
Almost directly across from Rothe House, at the original Smithwick’s brewery site, the Smithwick’s Experience celebrates over 300 years of Irish brewing tradition. Smithwick’s began brewing beer here in 1710 and continued until 2013 when brewing was moved to Dublin. The experience includes a tour of the former brewery. Remnants of 13th-century St. Francis Abbey, where monks brewed ale for centuries before the brewery’s founding, are still visible. Learn about beer brewing and, best of all, enjoy a tasting.
Walk south to the intersection of Parliament/High and James’s Street, turn right and continue to the Catholic cathedral. The Gothic St. Mary’s Cathedral sits on Kilkenny’s highest point. It was completed in 1857 after 13 years of construction. Its tower stands over 50 metres high. The beautiful stained-glass windows were added in the 1870s.
Across from Kilkenny Castle, the Kilkenny Design Centre is the home of the National Design & Craft Gallery. The semi-circular building with a central courtyard creates a unique display space for contemporary crafts by Irish and international artists.
The Butler House Garden is behind the gallery. It was once part of the Kilkenny Castle estate. Wander among the walled garden’s lawns and flowerbeds. Don’t miss the unusual water feature constructed from a surviving fragment of Dublin’s Nelson’s Pillar, relocated here after the monument’s 1966 destruction in an IRA bombing.
For beautiful views of the River Nore and the castle, head to John’s Bridge (Rose Inn Street and Lower John Street). We took beautiful reflection shots at dusk of both the castle and the buildings along the river.
If you are looking for an Irish pub experience, Matt The Millers Bar & Restaurant at the northeast end of the bridge is perfect. Over 5 floors of a former flour mill, Matt The Millers’ serves live Irish music, hearty Irish dishes and local brews. Both the live musicians and our dinner were great!
One of Ireland’s finest collections of medieval architecture is about 50 minutes southwest of Kilkenny in County Tipperary.
Rock of Cashel
On a limestone outcrop, 60 metres above the town of Cashel, sits a cluster of stone buildings including a chapel and a cathedral. The site served as the seat of the Kings of Munster for several centuries before being given to the clergy in 1101. It continued as a religious site until being abandoned in the mid-18th century.
Explore interconnected buildings spanning five centuries, each representing different architectural periods and functions within the religious complex. Join a guided tour or just wander the walled complex on your own.
The Gothic cathedral, built in the shape of a cross, dominates the area. The main structure was built during the middle 13th century with the central tower added in the 15th century. Inside, there are a number of empty tombs in the walls and tombstones in the floor. A fortified residential tower was added to the western end of the cathedral in the 15th century.
The round tower, at the northeast corner of the cathedral, is the oldest building on the site and may have been built as the site was handed to the church. These free-standing bell towers are unique to Ireland and were built between the late 10th and mid-12th centuries.
The cathedral was built around the north and west sides of the golden-coloured, early-12th-century Cormac’s Chapel. Accessed by restricted tours, this Romanesque church features twin towers and Ireland’s oldest-surviving, spiral, stone staircase in the south tower. The interior displays a barrel-vaulted roof and an elaborately decorated chancel with carvings of both human faces and grotesque figures. The chapel has undergone extensive restoration work. A sensitive ventilation system and low visitor numbers help keep moisture levels down in the building which is essential to save the frescos from further deterioration.
The 15th-century Hall of the Vicars Choral, on the south side of the rock, served as a residence for laymen who sang in cathedral services. The beautifully-restored hall houses displays related to the site’s ecclesiastical history and the original St Patrick’s Cross. A replica stands in the original’s place between the Hall and the Cathedral.
Enjoy a walk around the walled grounds, through the graveyard on the north side. The panoramic countryside views are worth the time.
If you have time, visit the ruins of the 13th-century Hore Abbey, the last Cistercian monastery founded in Ireland. Explore the church, cloister, chapter house, and remnants of monastic living quarters. To access the ruins, which are open for all to visit, drive to the one-car parking area west of the Rock on Hore Abbey Road, just off R505. Walk through the gate and the farmer’s field on the north side of the abbey. You’ll likely have the ruins all to yourself. This is also the best place for a clear view of the Rock of Cashel.
Depending on time, consider a short walk south of the rock into the village of Cashel. On Dominic Street, see the ruins of the 13th-century St Dominic’s friary and the local folk village. Walking southwest on Main Street, the late-15th-century Kearney’s Castle is on the east side and, down a long driveway, is the 18th-century, Palladian-style Cashel Palace hotel.
There are lots of cafés and restaurants to grab a bite in before returning to Dublin or continuing south to the village of Cahir.
Video of Our Visit to Rock of Cashel
Watch our full visit to Rock of Cashel and Hore Abbey in this short video overview. It gives you a real sense of what to expect during your trip.
Cahir Castle
One of Ireland’s largest and best-preserved castles, the medieval fortress sits at the north end of a small island in the River Suir with beautiful Inch Field Public Park on its southern side.
Construction began in the 13th century, with the castle granted to a branch of the Butler family in the late 14th century. During the 15th century, the Butlers updated the castle to a state-of-the-art, defensive fortress. It remained in their possession for centuries until the last Butler died without an heir in 1961. The castle was declared a National Monument and purchased by the state in 1964.
The castle features a massive keep, multiple defensive towers, prison dungeons, and the Great Hall. Guided tours are available. We wandered through on our own. The well-placed signs provided great self-touring information.
Originally serving as the main gatehouse, the Keep is a three-storey structure in the centre of the castle with heavy external walls. The ground floor contains three stone-vaulted chambers. The first floor features a fireplace installed over the original portcullis (a heavy grating lowered to block an entrance) dating to the 15th century. The portcullis was moved to the east side of the keep and its winding gear is visible when climbing the spiral stairs.
The North West Tower was an independently defensible structure if the keep fell. The original entrance from the Great Hall was protected by a murder hole overhead for dropping missiles on intruders. Built in the 13th century, it retains fine double-light windows, a first-floor garderobe (toilet room), and later battlements. A cannonball from the 1599 siege remains lodged in the wall.
If you have a bit more time, consider a walk south along the riverside trail to the 19th-century Swiss Cottage. Built by Richard Butler, to resemble an Alpine cottage, it was used by the Butlers as a retreat, for picnics, small events and fishing and hunting parties. It’s open mid-March through the end of October. The cottage is about a 2-kilometre walk from the castle, a perfect stretch before the drive back to Dublin.
Day Trip 3: Glendalough Monastery and Valley
Visiting the Glendalough Valley offers two experiences. Explore the 6th-century monastic city founded by St. Kevin and walk the valley trails. Depending on your available time, a visit can be short focusing only on the monastic city or a full day or more by adding in a hike or two.
Key sites:
- Round tower
- Glendalough Cathedral
- St. Kevin’s Church
Optional:
- Green Road Walk
- Spinc & Glenealo Valley Walk
The Glendalough Valley in the Wicklow Mountains contains Ireland’s most significant early medieval monastic settlement, founded in the 6th century by St Kevin. Wander the monastic city, set in a medieval graveyard, to a number of church ruins, the well-preserved 30-metre-tall round tower and Ireland’s only surviving double-arched monastic gateway.
The largest building on site is Glendalough Cathedral. Its beautiful east window stonework is still visible after 800 years.
St. Kevin’s Church, known as “St. Kevin’s Kitchen” for its chimney-like bell tower, is the only building with its original stone roof still in place.
The valley offers free access to a number of scenic trails including the Green Road Walk, an easy, 3-kilometre loop of Lower Lake with classic valley views. If you are looking for something more challenging try the Spinc & Glenealo Valley Walk. The 9.5 kilometres route includes a boardwalk and 600+ steps but rewards with access to Poulanass Waterfall and sweeping Upper Lake panoramas.
Our detailed Glendalough guide has our full Glendalough itinerary with details on the buildings in the monastic city, hiking routes and parking tips.
Explore All of our Ireland Road Trip Guides
Discover our complete series of detailed Ireland Guides to help you plan your perfect 7 to 14-day adventure around the Emerald Isle.
Main Article: Ireland Self-Drive Tour – Your 7 to 14-Day Itinerary
Part 1: Dublin – Historic Capital and Traditional Pubs
Part 2: Best Dublin Day Trips – The Ancient East and Historic Sites (You’re reading this guide now!)
Part 3: County Cork – Blarney, Cork City & Cobh
Part 4: Killarney and Ring of Kerry – The National Park and Scenic Drive
Part 5: Dingle Peninsula Drive – Rugged Coastline and Irish Culture
Part 6: Wild Atlantic Way – Cliffs of Moher, Limerick to Sligo
Part 7: County Donegal – Remote Landscapes and Northern Beauty
Part 8: Coastal Causeway Route – The Giant’s Causeway and Dramatic Cliffs
Part 9: Belfast – Titanic History and City Life
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