In Ireland’s countryside, fairytales and folklore weave through desolate bogs and are whispered over grassy emerald mountains. It is a land rich with mystique, yet feels as integral to the culture as a pint of Guinness in a cozy pub.

When visiting Dublin, I wanted a chance to see some of Ireland’s compelling countryside for myself. However, words cannot express how badly my friend and I didn’t want to drive. I suck at driving as it is, and was not about to test my luck driving on the opposite side of the road. Our fear didn’t leave us without options, though! There are many day tour offerings from Dublin’s city center, and I was able to book a top-rated tour that promised a glimpse of the striking Irish landscape I often romanticize.

The day tour I chose included a short hike up a scenic hill, lunch in a small village, a drive through Wicklow Mountain National Park, and a visit to the ruins of a 6th-century monastery. With many iconic stops along the way, like a filming location from P.S. I Love You and a lake that looks like a pint of Guinness, I recommend this tour to anyone fascinated by nature and who would find tranquility in the mystery of Ireland’s countryside.

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Itinerary and Jump Links

Scalp Loop Hike

We started our tour bright and early from Dublin’s bustling city center. After picking us up in a minibus near the Molly Malone statue, we were driven to a hike called Scalp Loop. Our guide first led us to the remains of a mining chimney from the early 1900s that stood out like a finger in the brushy landscape.

The pinnacle of this hike was, of course, the scenic end when you reach the top of a large hill (or would it be considered a small mountain?) with sweeping views of the coast on one side and pastures that stretch like an infinite patchwork quilt on the other. I was also tickled to find a pile of medium stones crowning the top. While it may just look like a bunch of boring rocks to some, others would argue it’s a faerie fort. Although I’m sad to say that faeries from Irish folklore are not anywhere near as charming as Rhysand from A Court of Thorns and Roses, and it’s best not to mess with their forts unless you like sorry ends.

Enniskerry

While the hike was pleasant and easy, it was just taxing enough to build up a bit of an appetite. We were then driven to the small town called Enniskerry for lunch, where we had a wonderful heaping of Sheppard’s Pie in a warm restaurant. Having a bit of hardy Irish fare was just what we needed to reenergize for the rest of the afternoon. Even though the town was just a blip on the map, there were a few stores selling fine jewelry, clothing, and souvenirs to explore after eating.

Wicklow Mountain National Park

The longest portion of the tour was our drive through Wicklow Mountain National Park. The weather was moody on the day we went, and I enjoyed the otherworldly ambiance it created as we wound through eerie bogs and lush valleys. As we left the bogs and drove closer to the mountains, we made a couple of stops. The first stop was a quaint stone bridge that served as a filming location for the “meet cute” scene in P.S. I Love You. The second stop was higher in the mountains, along a cliff with views of a lake with dark brown water and a creamy-colored beach, giving it the appearance of a pint of Guinness. I enjoyed marveling at the landscape on the drive and dreaming about the grim stories that come from such a brooding land.

Glendalough

The drive led us to our last stop at Glendalough to visit the ruins of a 6th-century monastery called St. Kevin’s, and for a stroll on a thickly forested path to another lake. The decaying stone arches of the monastery buildings, amongst the vast field of weathered gravestones, were hauntingly beautiful. I deeply enjoyed strolling amongst them and getting lost in my own musings. Afterwards, my friend and I walked through the forest with spindling trunks and a deep green canopy to the scenic beach by the lake after checking out the monastery. We enjoyed some deep chats about life while we admired the moss-tinted air and inhaled the grassy breeze.

Finally, we topped the day off with some soft-serve ice cream near the visitor center. I ordered mine with a plethora of rainbow sprinkles, of course. After licking my lips from my sweet cone, it was back to the bus to descend from the stunning greenery of Ireland’s countryside to the brick maze of Dublin. The day absolutely put a spell on me, and I contentedly nodded off on the ride home.

More Information About the Tour

This tour is perfect for anyone visiting Dublin who wants to get a taste of Ireland’s natural landscape without driving. The transportation was included, and our guide had that quintessential Irish humor. The tour we booked lasted 8 hours, which I think was a perfect fit for my friend and me. We spent the morning exploring the countryside, and then had a relaxing evening in the city. However, GetYourGuide and Viator offer longer tours with different stops for anyone looking for something more intensive. I recommend any of these tours based on your time preferences. Whatever you choose, I hope you find the Irish countryside as whimsical as I did.

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