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Rather than staying stuck in one spot for your whole time in Ireland, how about spending a week driving a rental car through Wicklow? The garden of Ireland awaits, and all that’s wanting is to hire a car to take you there! Arriving in Dublin Airport you can rent a car and drive out to Ashford, which offers ample opportunity to stretch your legs after your flight.
Rest, get a good night’s sleep and on your second day choose between more leisurely strolls, or drive around for a bit. You’ll drive into the Glendalough Valley, which day three gives you plenty of time to explore. The valley has a history rich in mining lead and other minerals— once home to extensive mining operations, it still pays tribute to its past and by choosing accommodation in the mountains you can overlook it all.
On day four you can delight in some more history; pay a visit to Powerscourt House and Gardens, a lovely old seventeenth century attraction within easy walk of the highest waterfall in Ireland and Britain both. Spend one more night in the mountains, and leave on day five along the Sally Gap to the east, into Kildare. Why not stop in at the National Stud and Japanese Gardens? Ireland has a proud history of producing some of the best racehorses in the world, and the gardens are also world-renowned.
On day six you can return to Dublin City, and unwind from your journey by relaxing at one of the city’s spas, or perhaps wandering about as you please, immersing yourself in the culture of the capital. Stop off for a pint at the pub, or perhaps indulge in some of the best coffee in Dublin at Bewleys, touted as Dublin’s finest coffee shop. Don’t caffeinate too much, though; you’ll want a good night’s rest before dropping off your hire car and catching your plan home the next day.