Short escapes in Ireland
Long weekends, close to home
From an hour down the road to a proper west-coast adventure. Pick where you're travelling from to see drive times, or filter by county.
Co. Longford · About 1 hour 30 minutes from DublinLongford town and the Royal CanalIreland's longest greenway, a lake full of islands, pretty estate villages and an Iron Age road in the bog. Longford is the midlands at their most peaceful.
Co. Offaly · About 1 hour 45 minutes from DublinBirr and ClonmacnoiseA giant Victorian telescope, a monastic city on the Shannon, whiskey in Tullamore and a sculpture park on a bog. Offaly is the heart of Ireland, literally.
Co. Laois · About 1 hour 20 minutes from DublinAbbeyleix and the Slieve BloomsWaterfalls and forest trails, a castle on a rock, a Lutyens garden and a pub that hasn't changed in a century. Laois is the midlands at their best.
Co. Carlow · About 1 hour 30 minutes from DublinBorris and the Barrow ValleyA slow river lined with towpaths and old mill villages, a dolmen with a 150-tonne capstone and gardens that feel like a secret. Carlow is the south-east's quiet surprise.
Co. Dublin · About 15 minutes from DublinDublin city and coastFree world-class museums, Georgian squares, a park full of wild deer and cliff walks a short train ride away. Dublin is worth a weekend of its own.
Co. Kildare · About 45 minutes from DublinKildare town and the CurraghRacehorses, a Japanese garden, St Brigid's town, a Palladian palace and Shackleton's story, all 45 minutes from Dublin.
Co. Down · About 1 hour 45 minutes from DublinNewcastle and the Mourne MountainsGranite peaks sweeping down to a sandy beach, forest parks full of stone bridges and a wall that marches over 15 summits. The Mournes are the North's best walking weekend.
Co. Limerick · About 2 hours 15 minutes from DublinLimerick city and AdareA castle on the Shannon, a Saturday market, a Georgian quarter and the prettiest village in the country down the road. Limerick is the city break that surprises everyone.
Co. Fermanagh · About 2 hours from DublinEnniskillen and Lough ErneMonastic islands, two-faced stone idols, an underground river and a boardwalk up a mountain bog. Fermanagh is Ireland's lakeland, and it's gloriously quiet.
Co. Cork · About 2 hours 45 minutes from DublinCobh and East CorkPainted houses climbing a hill, the Titanic's last port of call, a fortress island, a wildlife park and whiskey. Cobh is the easiest car-free weekend on the south coast.
Co. Galway · About 3 hours 30 minutes from DublinLeenane and Killary HarbourA long arm of the Atlantic with mountains rising straight from the water, a silent valley, mussels and the best boat trip in the west. Killary is wild Connemara at its finest.
Co. Waterford · About 2 hours 15 minutes from DublinDungarvan and the Copper CoastA harbour town with a castle, a cycle path through a railway tunnel, a coast of coves and mine ruins and some of the best food in the south. Dungarvan does it all. Drive times are estimates, so allow extra time for traffic, especially on bank holiday weekends.