Counties Meath and Louth are not far from Dublin, so getting there to explore the sights in one day is feasible. While areas right across the Dublin border are considered nettlesome burbs of urban sprawl, keep traveling to discover the magical realms these counties still possess.

Train, Bus, and Car

The central towns of Drogheda, County Louth, or the smaller, business-oriented Dundalk are accessible from Dublin's Connolly or Pearse Stations. Irish Rail (01 836 6222, www.irishrail.ie) has services throughout the day.

Bus éireann (01 836 6111, www.buseireann.ie) is more versatile with daily scheduled routes to Kells, Navan, and Slane, Tara, Trim, Drogheda, Dundalk, and Carlingford.

If you want to head directly to Newgrange, Bus éireann connects from Drogheda in twenty minutes. Over the Top Tours (01 836 42 4252, www.overthetoptours.com) leaves from the Dublin Tourist Office to Newgrange twice daily.

If driving, Drogheda is accessible off the N1, which then leads to the worthwhile Boyne Valley along the N51 west. If you plan on skipping Drogheda, then take the N2 from Dublin to Slane and onward to the Boyne Valley. If heading to the notable Hill of Tara, head toward Navan on the N3, which then connects to the N51 toward Boyne.