Holiday rentals in Ashbourne

Ashbourne is a growing commuter town in the east of Ireland, 45 minutes from Dublin. It was created as a stop on a mail coach road heading out of Dublin, and a historic 19th-century coaching inn still stands on the high street, along with the whitewashed Church of the Immaculate Conception in the heart of the town. The popular seaside town of Skerries is just 30 minutes away in neighbouring County Dublin, where people come to kayak around the harbour and dine on freshly caught mullet.

A quiet village surrounded by rich farmland until the 1970s, Ashbourne has numerous attractions to explore. There’s even the country’s only theme park, Tayto Park, on the outskirts of the town for thrill-seekers. Sporting traditions are strong in this community, which houses a golf course and Gaelic football pitch, and Ashbourne is also home to the biggest baseball team in Ireland.

Due to its proximity to Tayto Park, the area is particularly busy during the school summer holidays, which take place throughout the months of July and August, as well as other public holidays, including Easter. The weather is warmest in the summer months with more hours of daylight, but there is always the chance of rain. Nights draw in during the winter and temperatures cool, so packing extra layers is recommended. Bear in mind that the area can experience particularly heavy rainfall and winds between autumn and spring. It’s common to make the trip into the capital between late February and early March for Dublin’s big film festival, which combines independent pieces from around the world and collaborative workshops.

Newgrange

Travel half an hour north of Ashbourne and more than 5,000 years into the past to Newgrange, part of the prehistoric landscape of Brú na Bóinne, the Boyne Valley. Newgrange is one of only two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Ireland and is home to celebrated Neolithic art along with a circle of ancient standing stones. A visitor centre brings to life the significance this site had in the history of Ireland, including the jaw-dropping sight of sunlight hitting the chamber on the winter solstice.

Swords Castle

The ancient east of Ireland is filled with castles, and nearby Swords Castle boasts more than 800 years of history. This National Monument was built as a palace for the Archbishop of Dublin, and you can explore the complex, including a gatehouse and chapel, climbing narrow stairways and stepping back in time. The castle is surrounded by a 260-metre pentagonal perimeter wall looking down on the Ward River.

Dublin

Ireland’s enchanting capital is filled with historical importance, including the 9th-century manuscript, the Book of Kells, which you can visit at Trinity College Dublin. While in the city, take in traditional Irish music in Temple Bar’s lively pubs and delve into the area’s rich literary heritage at the Dublin Writers Museum.