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7 Day Winter Itinerary Suggestions from Dublin

Hello!

My partner and I (both mid-20s) are planning a week long trip starting and ending in Dublin from 11/18-11/25. I know winter isnt the livliest in Ireland and to expect cold/wet climate, but I'm sure there is still plenty to see and do! We do not lean towards very touristy activities, though we love a good historical tour. We are looking for castles, ideally some nature sightseeing, and just a nice well rounded cozy winter trip. We are considering renting a car to spend a few days outside of dublin and would love suggestions for that as well!

Please share any and all suggestions you may have and thank you!

Posted by
555 posts

I visited Dublin in October 1997 and November 2002. I found Dublin just as fun in the latter part of the year as it was during my three summer visits.

In fact, my fondest memory of the Irish capital was during the November 2002 visit, when I saw a performance of A Christmas Carol at the Gate Theater in Dublin. It was the best of at least 300 plays I have seen in my life. Whether the Dickens play is showing or not, it's worth seeing a play at the Gate or Abbey theater.

I went to a Evensong performance at Christ Church Cathedral as part of my 2002 visit. It was among the most moving religious experiences of my life.

All the other Dublin stuff I would recommend is in tourist guides.

Since you like antiquities and nature, it's worth visiting Glendalough (https://glendalough.ie/). That holds dozens of antiquities, some, I believe, around a millennium old. Glendalough is a monastic site about 30 or so miles south of Dublin in the Wicklow mountains. St. Kevin founded the site in the Ninth century or thereabouts.

Glendalough is surrounded by dozens of trails, including the Wicklow Way (https://www.wicklowway.com/). I walked the entirety of the 100-mile-long Wicklow Way in 1999. The trails around Glendalough are especially nice.

Since you like nature and antiquities, it's also worth visiting the Boyne Valley area north of Dublin. You could see the Hill of Knowth and Newgrange -- amazing burial grounds older than the pyramids in Egypt -- and the Hill of Tara, the ancient site of Irish kings, as well as other sites. You could probably arrange a day tour of the Boyne area with a group via the Dublin tourist information office downtown. You could also arrange a tour of Glendalough at the same office.

Since you might rent a car, it's work visiting the Rock of Cashel (https://heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/rock-of-cashel/). It's about 2 or so hours away from Dublin.

Be very careful driving in Ireland! People drive on the other side of the road (if you're American). I rented a car twice in Ireland, but it takes getting used to.

Posted by
9225 posts

Powerscourt, Glendalough.

What do you know of The Troubles?

Dublin’s Irish immigration museum and Kilmainham Gaol.

Train or bus to Belfast and visit the Titanic Museum.

Posted by
2292 posts

Do a history tour of Dublin

It’s not a castle but has loads of history - have you considered Newgrange which is older than the pyramids and Stonehenge. Check if Mary Gibbons runs tours in November and consider going on one of here.

Consider visiting Kilkenny (drive down through the Wicklow Mountains to get there. Stop off at Glendalough. As well as the early Chriatian site, there’s some good walking too.

There’s loads to do in Kilkenny with its Castle, Cathedral, Black Abbey... Jerpoint Abbey is just a short drive away.
Do a historical walking tour