Best Travel Guide Dublin’s Doorstep

Dublin’s DoorstepGuide was updated: 2025-06-26

The counties of Kildare, Laois, Louth, Meath and Wicklow that surround Ireland’s capital city are packed with beautiful heritage sites, welcoming towns and activities. With glistening lakes, tranquil rivers, authentic rural life, scenic pastureland, rolling hills and forest parks, this area is a haven for outdoors enthusiasts with cycling, watersports, walking, angling, golfing, horseback riding and cruising all in plentiful supply.

Do & See

Irish National Stud & Gardens

The only Stud farm in Ireland open to the Public offering daily guided tours. Situated on the grounds is the world famous Japanese Gardens, which tells the story of the ‘Life of Man from the Cradle to the Grave’. In more recent times the Horse Museum was added and later for the Millennium St Fiachra’s Garden was created. Gift shop & Restaurant.

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Castletown House & Parklands

Set amongst beautiful 18th century parklands, Castletown is the largest and most significant Palladian style country house in Ireland. The house was built c.1722 for the Speaker of the Irish House of Commons, William Connolly (1622- 1729). The designs of a number of important architects were used, Alessandro Gailiei, Sir Edward Lovett Pearce and Sir William Chambers. The estate was sold in 1965 and was transferred to State Care in 1994.

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Lullymore Heritage & Discovery Park

The multi-award winning Lullymore Heritage & Discovery Park is set on 60 acres of breathtaking landscape close to Rathangan in County Kildare. The Park explores Irish heritage, culture and environment with woodland/peatland trails, gardens and exhibitions. It’s also a great place for the little ones with a state of the art indoor forest themed play centre, outdoor play area with crazy golf, pet farm and train trips. Fun, nature, heritage and leisure — Lullymore Heritage and Discovery Park has aunique mix of activities just waiting to be discovered!

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Donaghmore Famine Workhouse Museum

Donaghmore Famine Workhouse Museum is a unique attraction that tells the story of the families who lived and died within the famine workhouse walls before, during and after the Great Famine of 1845-1849. The museum uses guided and self-guided tours combined with various exhibits to explain the socio-economic conditions which led to the establishment of this and other workhouses. Visitors to the museum can view an agricultural collection made up of a wide range of artefacts donated by local people, ranging from farm implements, household items and hand tools.

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Heywood Gardens

Completed in 1912, the gardens are composed of four elements consisting of gardens, lakes, woodland and architectural features. Linked by a terrace that ran along the front of the house, which now no longer exists. The formal gardens form the centrepiece of the property and were designed by the famous architect, Sir Edwin Lutyens (1869-1944) and probably landscaped by Gertrude Jekyll (1843-1932). In the sunken garden, circular terraces descend to an elliptical pool, where small statues of turtles gaze inquisitively at the grand fountain. An extensive replanting programme is currently underway.

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Rock of Dunamase

The Rock of Dunamase is an imposing and magnificent example of the remains of a Celtic fortification overlooking the valley of the O’Moores. It has a colourful history boasting ownership by Strongbow in 1170 and becoming the Norman’s most important fortification. In the fourteenth century it was burned at least twice by the Irish and later ownership went to the Earl of Thomand. It eventually fell into decay in 1795 leaving the spectacular remains. Standing at over 45 metres in height, the ruin dominates the landscape.

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