Dun Laoghaire Car Hire

Located just south of Dublin, Dun Laoghaire dates back to the 5th century when it was a sea base for King Laoghaire. Barely seeing any growth or development for many centuries, everything changed for Dun Laoghaire when the harbour was constructed in the early 1800s. Although located right beside Dublin, the town has a distinct feel of its own, a rich history, and is a great place to holiday, away from the crowds nearby.

Also a popular place to enter Ireland by boat from the UK, Dun Laoghaire is the perfect place to base yourself while exploring the area and you can collect your hire car on arrival, making your holiday transport convenient and stress free.

To view driving distances from Dun Laoghaire to other cities in Ireland and car hire information, click here

Drive a Hire Car in Dun Laoghaire

Since early times, Dun Laoghaire has had a close bond with the sea, and the National Maritime Museum is a great place to find out a little about the origins of the town and the history of Irish shipping. Drive your hire car down to the harbour, just a few streets from which you will find the museum, which is housed inside a disused church from the 1830s. Within, you will find hundreds of historical items, including various rare examples of boats. One item not to be missed is a boat from the French invasion of 1796, the only boat to survive to modern day.

While here, be sure to explore the harbour also. The piers on either side are popular for walks, and also provide a great view of the town from the water. Just east of the harbour you will find a great historic site, known as Dalkey Castle. Dating back to the 15th century, the castle is in remarkable condition, and on the grounds you will also find the ruins of a 10th century church and graveyard.

To see even more traces of the past, jump in your hire car and drive a short distance south of Dun Laoghaire to Loughlinstown, which is just a few minutes away. Here you will find the ruins of Tully Church, an old and mysterious site. Origins of the church are not known for certain, although most believe it was built by the Danish, and it’s thought to date back to the 9th century, perhaps even earlier. The church has additions built in the 1100s, and then became disused in the 17th century. Today it stands as a reminder of those who lived in the area before it became a busy harbour town.