by Noemi Beres

Created on: March 25, 2008   Last Updated: March 27, 2008

In Dublin's surroundings you can find many beautiful historic places, gardens and castles. These tourist attractions are usually open all year around and well worth taking the time to visit them. There are two ways to get there, either you book a coach day trip or you rent a car.
Renting a car is great because it gives you the freedom and independence to come and go. You are not tied to strict times and that means you can start and finish your day whenever you please. It is always possible to pick your rental car up and drop it off in Dublin City Centre or at Dublin Airport.

Explore these wonderful places on your own time.

Here are four day trip destinations that you would definitely enjoy.

Powerscourt House and Gardens
Powerscourt is one of Ireland's most famous estates and gardens; it is about 20km from Dublin City Centre. Powerscourt House was designed by Richard Castle around 1730, and was burned down accidentally in 1974.

An exhibition called "Bloody O'Tooles, Rebels & Royalty, Fame & Fire" and an audio visual presentation tell the story of this magnificent and elegant mansion. Ballroom and Garden Rooms open Sundays 9:30-1:30 all year, Mondays 9:30-1:30 from May to September. When the weather is nice, you can enjoy a nice cup of tee or coffee on the terrace of Powerscourt House.

Further down is the arboretum with its splendid collection of trees, including a Sitka Spruce Ireland's tallest tree. Other important features of the garden are the Walled Garden with its colourful rose beds, the Dolphin Pond, The Pet's Cemetery and the Japanese Garden from 1908.

Powerscourt Estate also contains the highest waterfall - 90 meters in Ireland. It is called Powerscourt Waterfall and is surrounded by woods. You can picnic there or go for a long refreshing walk.

Malahide Castle
Malahide Castle is situated south-west from the small seaside resort Malahide, set on 250 acres of park land. It is really unique because it was inhabited continuously by the Talbot family from 1185 until 1976. You can find many beautiful period furniture in this medieval castle and a large collection of Irish portrait paintings.

The Castle has its own ghosts too, not only one but five: Lord Galtrim, Lady Maud Plunkett, Chief Justice, Miles Corbett and last but not least Puck. Be prepared, you will definitely feel their presence amongst the ancient walls.

Guided audio tours run every 15 minutes; duration of the tour is about 35 minutes. Malahide Castle's restaurant is famous for its tasty meal, so why not

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