One day trip outside of Dublin?

I'm not sure if this would be of interest to you, but we got out of Dublin and really experienced the countryside with Walkabout Wicklow. If you enjoy hiking (it's a rigorous but not hard 4 hour hike) it is quite a fantastic way to spend a day. The maximum group size is 9 and the pickup/drop off is in front of the main tourist office in downtown Dublin. Joseph provides great commentary along the drive, as well. Check them out on TripAdvisor or their website.

For Newgrange, I did a day trip with Mary Gibbons Tours, it stopped at Bru na Boinne and the Hill of Tara. Mary is extremely knowledgeable and provided a great commentary while on the bus. If you want to see the countryside, I'd definitely say to take a tour through Wicklow to Glendalough. As Claudia mentioned, there is the St. Kevin's bus service, but if you want a tour I went on one with Wild Wicklow Tours, it was a small bus tour through the Wicklow Mountains and to Glendalough. There are many other tour operators, and I'm sure they all do a great job for Wicklow and Glendalough.

Must say that trips to Glendalough or Newgrange meets your criteria. Although I drove to each both are reachable by bus. St. Kevins Bus Services have daily departures to Glendalough in the Wicklow Mountains. Hopefully another poster will advise the best bus or tour company for the Newgrange/ Boyne Valley day trip.

You could get the train from Dublin to Cork, Killarney, Galway or Belfast, have lunch and a lookaround, and get back comfortably to Dublin in the one day. You will see plenty countryside along the way, might even see some sheep.

Wow - these are all great ideas! Lots of different ways we could go - thank you!

I loved my Wicklow day tour, did it with Coach Tours of Ireland. Great driver, scenery is mind boggling.

Blarney Castle! It's a great trip and Kissing the stone is lucky right?

Thanks for the suggestions! Actually, we just did the Walkabout Wicklow tour, which included a beautiful drive with a friendly, informative driver from Dublin to the Wicklow mountains, and then a great day hike (about 4 hours). Wonderful scenery, and lots of great history and information about the area, the old church buildings (some from 680 AD!) and culture. For a nice break from the urban experience, I'd highly recommend the company and the hike. Felt good to get the exercise after all the eating we've been doing too!

Recently returned from Dublin. We did a day tour to Newgrange, Monastaboice (High Crosses) and Hill of Tara. We used Day Trips Unplugged and had a great time. Small amount of people and great guide. I hear Mary Gibbons is also good. BTW, we loved Dublin and hope you will too.