Bray

This historic Victorian-era seaside resort features a long, golden beach and a promenade, complete with old-fashioned family amusements. You can hike or ride mountain bikes on the trails leading from the beach to Bray Head, and enjoy a breathtaking view of Dublin Bay and surrounding environs from the summit of the cliff, 791 feet into the sky.

While at Bray, be sure to visit National Sealife for an up-close and personal look at many of the creatures that live in the seas around Ireland. This aquarium and museum offers a high tech exploration and learning area for the kids, and they can also check the progress of ongoing conservation projects, such as the breeding of seahorses.