Guide to Planning the Perfect Couples Getaway in Dublin

When it comes to planning a romantic getaway, Dublin, Ireland, offers a mix of historic charm, vibrant culture, and picturesque landscapes. For couples looking to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life, the Glenroyal Hotel in Maynooth, Kildare, provides the ideal retreat. This 4-star hotel is known for its luxurious amenities, serene atmosphere, and convenient location just off the M4 motorway, only 20 minutes from Dublin City Centre.

Why Choose Glenroyal Hotel?

Prime Location

Situated in Maynooth, Kildare, the Glenroyal Hotel offers easy access to Dublin’s attractions while providing a peaceful retreat away from the city’s busy streets. The hotel's location is perfect for exploring both the vibrant city and the tranquil countryside.

Luxurious Accommodations

The Glenroyal Hotel boasts stylishly decorated rooms equipped with modern conveniences and luxurious amenities like Rituals products. Their well-planned guest rooms offer a comfortable and elegant setting, perfect for unwinding after a day of exploring.

Exceptional Dining

Indulge in a 3-course evening meal at The Enclosure Restaurant, where a menu featuring only the highest quality local produce has been designed by Michelin-trained Executive Head Chef Bernard McGuane. For a more relaxed atmosphere, visit the Arkle Bar, which combines plush 1920s decor with a cozy ambiance. Start your day with a full Irish breakfast that promises to energize you for a day of adventures.

Relaxation and Wellness

The NOA Spa at the Glenroyal Hotel offers a range of luxurious Yon-Ka treatments. The hotel also features a 20m adult-only swimming pool and a state-of-the-art fitness centre, ensuring you have everything needed to relax and stay active.

Itinerary for a Romantic Weekend

Day 1: Arrival and Relaxation

Check into your luxurious room at the Glenroyal Hotel. We have ample parking available for guests and several EV chargers are available. Check-in is at 3pm, so you have plenty of time to unwind with a relaxing visit to our Leisure Centre where you will find NOA Spa and our state of the arm gym and swimming pools. If you want to come even earlier and take advantage of onsite amenities, you are welcome to leave your bags behind reception until your room is ready for you.

NOA Spa has a carefully selected range of luxurious treatments to enhance your experience from holistic well-being to a program specifically designed for you and your needs. Click here to view and book treatments.

Glenroyal Leisure Club features a fantastic range of facilities including: - 2 x 20 Metre Swimming Pools (one adult-only and one family-friendly), Saunas, Steam Rooms, Jacuzzi & HydroSpa - State-of-the-Art Gym with Extensive Cardio & Resistance Areas and a large free-weight section - a dedicated class studio with over 48 classes Per Week

Enjoy a romantic dinner at The Enclosure Restaurant. Bookings are recommended and smart dress is essential. After dinner have a nightcap at Arkle Bar before tucking in to your comfortable bed featuring XXX-thread count sheets and goose down duvet and pillows. Don’t forget to set your alarm as Day 2 is an early start!

Day 2: Explore Dublin

Here is a super handy website that details several different day trip itineraries for Dublin but do not worry, we have summarised the best couple’s itinerary below. **Note: Be sure to wear comfortable shoes because your day will involve a lot of walking.

7:15: Breakfast at Glenroyal Hotel
Full Irish Breakfast at Arkle Bar & Restaurant. After breakfast grab a takeaway coffee at Shoda Café, found just off reception inside the hotel, before making the short 4 minutes trek to the Maynooth Train Station. Tickets are available for purchase at the station but we’d recommend booking online as it could be busy this time of day.

8:00: Grab a train to the city
This journey takes about 45-60 minutes depending on which train you get. Take the stop for Tara St Station which will put you a quick 5-minute walk to your first stop of the day. Here’s a link to the Irish Rail Journey Planner that can help you plan your trip.

9:00: Trinity College
Trinity College was built in the 16^th century and is Ireland’s oldest university. Their Trinity Trails tours run 7 days a week and their Book of Kells exhibit is not to be missed. Bookings are recommended.

11:00: Temple Bar
A short 8-minute walk will bring you to Temple Bar. There are many pubs in the area to choose from so check out this Temple Bar pubs guide. Enjoy rambling around some of the shops and the live music played by buskers and in pubs here from morning to night.

11:15: The Ha’penny Bridge
The Ha’penny Bridge is Dublin’s original toll booth and is a great spot to take some photos. It is located right next to Temple Bar, and it only takes 20 seconds to cross. The Ha’penny Bridge has spanned the Liffey River for over two hundred years, and it is one of the most beautiful bridges in the capital.

11:35: GPO Witness History Tour
5-minutes further along O’Connell Street, and you’ll arrive at The GPO. The GPO Museum, located within Dublin's historic General Post Office on O’Connell Street, is a top visitor attraction. Known as GPO Witness History, it offers an immersive experience of Ireland's past. Visitors here will discover how the GPO played a key role in the Easter Rising of 1916. Bookings are essential. Awarded as one of the best museums in Dublin and for good reason.

14:15: Lunch in Dublin’s Oldest pub
If you are feeling thirsty, then the next stop may take a little longer. The Brazen Head is only a 20-minute walk from the GPO and is Dublin’s oldest pub. This pub is stunning from the outside, quirky inside and the food is very good!

15:00: Dublin Castle
After an 11-minute walk from The Brazen Head, you’ll come to Dublin Castle.It wasconstructed in the early thirteenth century on the site of a Viking settlement, Dublin Castle served for centuries as the headquarters of English, and later British, administration in Ireland. In 1922, following Ireland’s independence, Dublin Castle was handed over to the new Irish government.

15:30: The Guinness Storehouse
When you’ve had your fill of Dublin Castle, take the 15-minute walk to the Guinness Storehouse; the home of Irish stout and the Guinness Tasting Experience. As this is arguably the most popular attraction in Dublin, and pre-booking tickets is absolutely essential. All in, the tour takes about 90 minutes so plan accordingly.

17:00: Your Choice
Depending how you are feeling, you could continue with the tours and visit Jameson Distillery or Teeling Distillery. Guinness to Jameson is about a 20-minute walk and Guinness to Teeling is about 13-minute walk.

Window shopping on Grafton Street is a great option, too as features some lovely shops and is always lined with very talented buskers. If you don’t want to be tempted to shop, take a stroll around the historical St Stephen’s Green Park or the ornate 1881 George’s Street Arcade.

If you’ve had enough of the tours and want to have an early dinner that’s okay too! Keep reading for some dinner ideas.

19:00: Dinner
Dublin has an ever evolving and growing variety of eateries. Whether you’re looking for cheap & cheerful, ethnic or Michelin Star, you’re bound to find something to tickle your tastebuds one of these two guides listing the top restaurant choices in Dublin City. - 19 of the Best Restaurants in Dublin in 2024 by TheIrishRoadtip.com - Best Restaurants In Dublin by Mob.co.uk

After Dinner: Traditional Dublin pubsor a Show in a local theatre
There are some brilliant pubs in Dublin, but there are some not-so-brilliant ones, too. Click here to view a map of some of the best traditional Irish pubs in Dublin.

- The Gaity Theatre
This theatre has been around since 1871 and offers a wonderful selection of opera, musicals, drama, revues, comedy, concerts, dance, festivals and pantomime. The nearest train station to The Gaiety Theatre is Connolly Station and is approximately a 25-minute walk.

- Bord Gais Theare
This newly built theatre is widely recognised as one of Europe's leading theatrical institutes and performance art centres having welcomed over five million visitors since opening in 2010. The nearest train station to Bord Gáis Energy Theatre is Connolly Station, at an approximately 20-minute walk.

Getting Back to The Glenroyal Hotel, Maynooth

Depending on where you’re ending you night will determine the best way home. There are three Dublin City train stations with routes to Maynooth – Pearse, Tara St, and Connolly – and they all have a final trip back toward Maynooth around 12pm-1am depending on the night of the week. Choose whichever station is closest to where you are and check the timetables. Google Maps can come in very handy so don’t be afraid to check your phone for location and directions. (Taxis are available all hours of the night so if you are a night owl, don’t worry you can still get home!)

Day 3: Discover Maynooth and Kildare

After having a lie in you’ll wake up feeling rested from your big day exploring Dublin. Head down to Arkle Bar for another full Irish Breakfast or choose from a light option like fruit and yoghurt. Freshly baked pastries are always on hand in the hotel breakfast too.

Things to Do in Maynooth

-  Go shopping around the town with a mix of independent and large-scale retail available. From ladies and men’s fashion to sports clothing to books there is something for everyone.

- Maynooth has a vibrant restaurant and bar scene with lots of different places to sample. From traditional Irish pubs, upscale wine and cocktail bars to elegant fine dining, there is something to suit all palettes.

- Fancy a round of golf? The courses at Carton House are not to be missed. With two championship golf courses, both with exquisite views and impeccably maintained fairways, it offers an exceptional golfing experience. Choose between the O’Meara or Montgomerie courses and play the venue that hosted the 2005,2006 and 2013 Irish Opens along with the 2018 World Amateur Team Championships.

Things to See in Maynooth

- First on the list is Maynooth Castle. This 12th century castle which was once the primary residence of the Fitzmaurice Fitzgerald families has been restored into a Heritage Site and it is now open to the public from June to October.

- Maynooth is the only university town in Ireland, home to two higher education campuses: Maynooth University and St. Patrick’s College. St. Patricks College opened its doors in 1795 and it’s resemblance to the fictional Hogwarts has not gone unnoticed. architect Augustus Pugin had a hand in designing them – and the grounds contain several lofty Georgian and neo-Gothic buildings, gardens, and squares. It's worth taking the guided tour to see the College Chapel, the world's largest choir chapel, with stalls for more than 450 choristers.

- Take a stroll down the magnificent Carton Avenue and enjoy the beautiful 1,100 acres of sweeping parkland, ancient woodlands lakes and the meandering River Rye. The lands at Carton belonged to the FitzGerald family from 1176 and it was not until 1739 that the project of building Carton House by renowned architect Richard Castles was commissioned.

Click here to read another one of our blog’s about Things to Do in Maynooth.

Book Your Stay

For couples looking to blend luxury, relaxation, and adventure, the Glenroyal Hotel in Maynooth, Kildare, is the perfect destination. With its top-notch amenities and strategic location, your romantic retreat is sure to be memorable. Book your stay today and experience the ultimate couple’s getaway in Dublin, Ireland.