8 Exciting Day Trips & Tours from Dublin

Experience the charm of Limerick through the eyes of a local. Led by guides who were born and raised in the city, you will be introduced to architectural gems and plunged into the dark depths of its past to discover a city rich in history and character. Put yourself in the shoes of soldiers battling bloodthirsty wars as you explore the unforgiving stonework of King John’s castle, and sharpen your photography skills with a quintessential shot of Limerick from the Treaty Stone. A dip into the word of art is also on the menu, with a trip to the city gallery before a classic pub lunch in a traditional boozer.

If your breath isn’t stolen by the whirling coastal winds, the sheer magnitude of the Cliffs of Moher will likely do the trick. This cruise glides over the swirling waters of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way and sails under the craggy outcrops of the monstrous 700-foot-high (210-metre-high) sea cliffs. As you crane your neck to spot O’Brien’s tower sitting on the grass-topped summit, you may see the nests of Puffins tucked away in the sheltered nooks of the cliff face or catch the blur of a swooping Guillemot. A live on-board commentary ensures you are in-the-know, and if you are lucky, a dolphin or two may make an appearance along the way.

Geared towards adventurers with a decent level of fitness, this tour ventures over eight kilometres (five miles) of epic mountain trails, a heart-seizing way to view the county’s untamed wilderness. Sitting on mountain-friendly fatbikes – whose chunky tires are a godsend when traversing rocky terrain – you will follow a friendly guide past Guinness Lake. One of Ireland’s most photographed spots, its deep ebony waters are fringed by frothy white sands that have been purposefully imported by the Guinness Family to resemble their iconic beverage. Also on the agenda is the picturesque Sally Gap – its flourishes of purple plant life may be a familiar sight for fans of P.S. I Love You (2007).

Ireland has a rich sporting heritage and this two-hour tour delves into one of the oldest and most intriguing sports of them all: hurling. Taking place at Nowlan Park – the home stadium of the Kilkenny Cats hurling team – you will be guided through the sport’s history, from conception to the modern game. There will be the chance to explore the stadium and visit the Legends Hurling Museum, where the sport’s story comes to life. Learn all about the players who made names for themselves and the history of the 3,000 year-old ancient Celtic Games – then hit the pitch and try your hand at this sport which is entirely unique to Ireland.

Whether you’re Irish or otherwise, there’s always something you probably didn’t know about Irish cuisine. Hosted by a local food fanatic in a Tipperary cafe, this private cooking class will equip you with tips and insights into three of the county’s best-known dishes. Ingredients wise, you’ll only work with dairy, meat, and vegetables that are locally grown and sourced. To round off the experience, you and the rest of your group will sit down together for a cultural dining experience and get to know your local host a bit better, before taking your newfound culinary skills back home to recreate your meal many times over.

Travel back through the history of Belfast on this insightful tour of Northern Ireland’s capital. Led by an experienced guide, you’ll discover the story behind the Titanic, visiting the shipyard where it was built and which now serves as a monument to its memory. An absorbing first-person perspective of The Troubles is also given by loyalist fighters-turned taxi drivers on the city’s famous Taxi Tours, providing you with unparalleled insight into life during the city’s dark recent history. This is all topped off with a chance to discover the vibrant centre of modern-day Belfast, with time for a pint in a traditional pub and a bit of souvenir shopping.

Channel your inner Stark as you step into the bloodthirsty world of Game of Thrones. Giving fans the chance to literally put themselves in the characters’ shoes (or cloaks, at least), the tour blurs the line between fantasy and reality as it guides you through a dense forest – seen on screen as the site of the Wildling camp and shadowy Wolfswood – set with spidery trees and creeping tangles of roots. Tuck into lunch by the waters of Strangford Lough and roam the turreted site of Old Castle Ward (or should we say Winterfell). A popular Instagram-worthy highlight is Inch Abbey, where Robb Stark became King in the North.

An amalgamation of Neolithic sites, spellbinding wilderness and medieval ruins, this tour makes it easy to see why Howth is so enchanting. An expedition of the spherical Martello Towers and the bucolic gardens of Howth Castle is on the books, while plenty of fresh coastal air is assured with a cliff walk by Ben of Howth. Seabird-spotting and leg-stretching taken care of, you should get your camera ready for the 17th-century Baily Lighthouse – an old-world stamp on the rural skyline. Finishing with a plunge into the late Stone Age, you can admire mysterious Neolithic standing stones on the stunning peninsular of Howth Head.