Ireland – What You Can Do Outside Dublin Downtown

Kilmainham Gaol prison was our first stop. The prison operated between the years 1796 to 1924. The prison amazed us with its central hall just as if was taken from a Hollywood movie. Today, the prison operates a museum. There are guided tours and free movement inside prison is not possible. A tour takes about an hour and half. During the tour, you get a chance to watch a shor film, or interact with interactive boards. Beware that rooms are cold and English is more sophisticated.

The next destination we would visit was the Irish National Stud. The stud, a popular tourist attraction, is situated about 60 kilometers from Dublin in Klidare county.  What you can see there is the Living Legend's Team, and the most famous horses with really interesting names – Beef Or Salmon, Hardy Eustace, Hurricane Fly, Kicking King, Moscow Flyer, and Rite Of Passage. There is a board with basic data at every horse 's stall and also how much money each horse makes. Moreover, you can learn about planned breeding. A horse museum, and beautiful Japanese gardens are part of the stud as well.

Like us, you can spend nice afternoon at Howth port, on the edge of Dublin. To get there is simple; either on a train or by doubledecker bus. Local cliffs are amazing but sea lions swimming around fishing boats looking for anything to eat are no less interesting. Unfortunately feeding them is forbidden (to avoid se lions having health problems).

Powerscourt (Powerscourt House&Gardens), the most beautiful of Irish gardens, is situated on Great Sugar Loaf mountain about 25 kilometers from Dublin. The gardens were founded in the Victorian age. There are many terraces, statues, lakes, and fountains. Animal cemetery is one of the things you can see over there. However, major sight here is the reconstructed castle (founded in the 13th century). Movies like Moll Flanders or Excalibur were filmed there.

Wicklow Mountains National Park makes the area surrounding the gardens. You can plan a trip there to explore wonderful Irish nature. Additionally, there is the Wicklow Way, a 132 km trail. Personally, I recommend you to hire a guide. Ireland is known for very bad trail markings and directions. Be sure to visit the Glendalough area in the south of the park. There a cloister founded by St Kevin in the 6th centure, one of the most famous of Irish cloisters.

GPS: (prison) 53°20'29.5"N 6°18'35.1"W

         (national park) 53°09'30.9"N 6°18'15.9"W

Text and photos: Veronika Schubertová