We need to choose a day trip. We will do it on our own , no guide. So keep that in mind. Leaving from Dublin.
Howth
Bray
Or wicklow
We would like to be able to see the sights, while walking around. Don’t know if that is realistic without a car. But we don’t mind getting a cab, if we need to
Thanks
Glendalough. It's got unbelievable sites. And it's in County Wicklow about 25 miles or so south of Dublin.
Here is some background: https://glendalough.ie/
Glendalough was a monastic site founded by St. Kevin around 800 AD. Some of the monks who translated Plato, Aristotle and other Classical-era thinkers of Western Civilization were at Glendalough. (If you want to learn more about this, the book How the Irish Saved Civilization by American author Thomas Cahill is a popular text, and Glendalough is mentioned in it.)
Today Glendalough is covered by amazing antiquities. And there are great walking paths, including the Wicklow Way (https://www.wicklowway.com/), a 100-mile-long trail I walked in 1999.
Be careful driving! If you're American, the Irish drive on the other side of the road. I have rented a car twice in Ireland, but it takes some getting used to, especially on the back roads of County Wicklow.
Another vote for Glendalough, which is a wonderful early Christian site with round tower, stone crosses, ruined cathedral and churches. There is quite a good description of the site here, and a map of the site here.
Most people don't get much further than the visitor centre and the area with cathedral etc. Once away from them, you loose the crowds and there are several walks around the site to the lakes and other ruined churches. The walks are listed here. Use the detailed map here to see where they go. Then have a read of this website which has pictures of the different walks and description... You could easily spend several hours here.
Another great advantage is that you can get there by bus, so no need to hire a car or get a tour! Have a read here for information and check out the timetable here.
It might be too late, but I'd also add Dun Laoghaire to your list of possible day trips. It's not far from Dublin (7-8 miles south) and there are frequent buses you can take. It's an upscale coastal town with a protected harbor where you can stroll the piers. There are a few museums and nice restaurants. For an upscale lunch or dinner I'd recommend Oliveto in the Haddington House hotel. We visited the other three towns/areas on your list and I'd put Dun Laoghaire on the top.
