15 Autumn Date Ideas in Dublin

15 Autumn Date Ideas in Dublin

Looking back to my first solo travel experiences, I never would have thought I would be sitting here writing a blog about autumn date ideas in Dublin, but here we are! I hadn’t seriously considered going on dates while traveling. A few of my friends and coworkers joked before I left that I would meet some European guy and never come home. I ultimately laughed this off, so to end up spending over a month going on dates with an Irish guy in the first country I visited was pretty unexpected, and was fully living out my P.S. I Love You dreams.

Now, before you get too invested thinking this was some hopeless romantic, meet-cute moment, I have to disappoint you with the hard truth that we matched on a dating app… welcome to 2021… Yeah, not quite living up to the P.S. I Love You, sweep me off my feet in Wicklow National Park dreams there… I actually only downloaded the dating app because my hostel mate gave me a whole pep talk about being young and single while traveling, and having fun with the whole experience- dating included. So, really after minimal convincing from her and a few swipes later (true romance), I matched with Mr. Irish Man and was set to meet for drinks.

I do however feel like I lucked out here because this guy ended up being pretty wonderful. Over the next month, he took me on some amazing dates and showed me some great spots in and around Dublin. So, for anyone solo traveling in this city who may be on dating apps looking for some fun ideas in the fall, or even for couples traveling together, here are 15 autumn date ideas in Dublin!

Outdoor Autumn Date Ideas Near Dublin

1. Walk around Phoenix Park

As the largest park in Dublin, Phoenix Park feels like an escape in the city. With endless paths to stroll around, it makes for a wholesome way to spend an evening, especially at sunset. Be sure to keep your eye out for the deer roaming around, as the park is home to over 600. 

Location: 20 minute walk from city center

In addition to walking around the park, (if the date is going well…), check out these places for some yummy bites and drinks.

The Phoenix Park Tea Rooms: Best for tea, coffee, and lighter food options

Hole in the Wall: Dating back to 1651, this historic place makes for a fun destination pub to visit and the perfect place for a hearty meal and drinks. 

2. Visit Malahide Castle and Grounds

3. Explore the Coastal Town of Dun Laogahaire Together

Heading South from Dublin, you’ll find the town of Dun Laogahaire. Enjoy walking along the pier together, taking in the ocean views, all the restaurants and coffee shops lined along the shores, and the beautiful colorful houses to look at. You may even be able to kayak or paddle board in the ocean depending on what time in the fall you visit. Regardless of what intrigues you, there is plenty to do and see in this town together. 

Getting There:

Drive by Car- 30 minutes

Take the DART Train from Dublin: 

Connolly Station to Dun Laogahaire Round Trip Ticket: €6 – €8/Ticket, 25 minutes

4. Enjoy a Cliff Walk Along the Coast

Howth

Just 30 minutes north of Dublin awaits the beautiful town of Howth. Overlooking the great Atlantic and Dublin Bay, it is a must visit. With 4 different routes of hiking, you can find one to fit whatever level you and your partner will enjoy. In addition, check out the Howth Market, see the Howth Castle, stroll along the beaches, or even play a round of golf in this city. Check out my blog Dublin Day Trips: Howth to plan your full day’s visit. 

Getting There:

Drive by Car- 30 minutes

Take the DART Train from Dublin: 

Connolly Station to Howth Round Trip Ticket: €6 – €8/Ticket, 30 minutes

Greystones to Bray Cliff Walk

Heading a little further south from Dun Laogahaire, you’ll find yourselves in the towns of Greystones and Bray where you can hike the Greystones to Bray Cliff Walk. This is a beautiful trail right along the ocean with impeccable views. I recommend taking the train down to Greystones and hiking north on the trail ending in Bray. Bray has a ton of restaurants, bars, and coffee shops to pop in to after your hike, as well as cool shops to visit. Here you two can just hop the train back to Dublin.

Getting There:

Because the cliff walk is typically a one-way route, the easiest way to get here is to take the DART train from Dublin to Greystones, and then to get back, take the DART from Bray to Dublin.

Connolly Station to Greystones Round Trip Ticket: €7 – €9, 45 minutes

5. Take a trip to Glendalough Lake in Wicklow Mountains National Park

Sitting about an hour outside of Dublin awaits Wicklow Mountains National Park. The entirety of the park is beautiful, but one of the best scenic areas is Glendalough. Starting at Glendalough Park, hike the trails around the Glendalough Upper Lake. There are 9 different routes you can take, ranging from a short 30 minutes to 4 hours. Depending on how you and your partner want to spend your time here, you can plan accordingly and come prepared for a short visit or spend most of the day hiking around.

After visiting the National Park, be sure to stop at Wicklow Heather Restaurant & House. Known as one of the best restaurants in Wicklow, this quaint place did not disappoint. Filled with wooden beams, old books on every shelf, and candles lit table to table, it provided a cozy and romantic ambiance for the perfect end to a beautiful day. Not to mention, the food was impeccable- a true Irish roast dinner. 

Getting There:

Drive by Car or Take a Bus- 1 hour/1 hour 15 minutes

Not Your Normal “Let’s Go for Drinks” Autumn Date Ideas in Dublin 

Grabbing drinks is always a fun date idea, and don’t get me wrong, there are some great cocktail bars and restaurants to enjoy them at in Dublin. But sometimes you want to spice it up a little. Here are some fun ideas outside the norm to enjoy some drinks together and add a bit more of an experience to the night.

6. Whiskey Cocktail Making Class

Whether it’s whiskey, gin, or any preference of alcohol, doing a cocktail class together is a great date idea. Not only are you getting to enjoy drinking fun cocktails, but you also get to have an added experience to share together. Since we’re in Dublin, whiskey is the key to a cocktail class to perfect the ultimate Whiskey Sour or Old Fashioned. I highly recommend taking the class at the Jameson Distillery on Bow St. The building itself is such a cool atmosphere, and you’re in Ireland- Jameson is basically a part of Irish blood. The class was one of my favorite experiences while in Dublin and I could not recommend it enough for a date night. Bonus: you get to enjoy a seasonal drink at the end with everyone in your group.

7. Listen to Live Music in a Pub

Maybe not out of the norm, but definitely a way to add some extra fun in a night out for drinks is to go to a pub with live music. I don’t know what it is about the atmosphere in them, but everyone around you is always just out for a good time. It makes for a fun addition getting to sing along to upbeat tunes and the nice thing about Dublin is that you can find live music all around the city, no matter what area you are in. One of my favorite places was Bruxelles, just off Grafton Street, so be sure to add that to your list of places to check out. 

8. Visit John Kavanagh- The Gravediggers Pub

9. Additional Tour: Take the Gravediggers Ghost Tour

Couldn’t forget to add in an additional ghost tour to your night. This tour takes you to some of the most haunted places around the city, where you’ll hear stories of the ghosts still lurking in some of the oldest parts of Dublin. Be in mind that the overall goal of this tour is to entertain, with more theatrics and fun than site-seeing. So, if that is your speed, you’ll enjoy this tour.

Easy your nerves afterward with a FREE Ghoulish shot with a stop at Gravediggers Pub. Here, you can hop back on the tour to head back to the pickup spot or stay at the pub for another round. You can book your Gravediggers Ghost Tour here.

Whether you decide to take the tour or just go out for a round or two, John Kavanagh- The Gravediggers Pub is well worth a visit.

10. Go on the Premium Whiskey and Food Tasting in Dublin

What better way to spend a chilly fall evening than warming up with whiskey, a nice cozy atmosphere, and enjoying some delicious Irish bites- sounds pretty ideal to me. On this 2-hour tour, you’ll stop at two of Dublin’s famous bars where you will try a selection of premium whiskeys and get your full knowledge of Irish whiskey and its interesting heritage. Check out the tour here and book your tickets for the full experience.  

Classic Irish Date Ideas in Dublin in Autumn

Now, these can be experienced any time of the year, but I couldn’t leave out some classic Irish date ideas you have to do while in Dublin!

11. Enjoy the Classic Cuisines Together

While in Ireland, I had my fair share of fish & chips. One of the traditional foods of the Irish culture and one that you can’t get sick of. Beer battered fish & chips coming from the land of potatoes- it really doesn’t get much better. There are a ton of spots to enjoy this meal, but some of my favorites were:

The Martello- Bray

O’Connells Pub and Restaurant- Howth

Clontarf Castle Hotel- Clontarf

Another classic meal to enjoy together is a Traditional Irish Breakfast. I learned from my date, as well as my hairdresser, that the best traditional Irish breakfast is homecooked, especially by your parents or gram. But for a date purpose, you can enjoy a fun breakfast outing at:

Gourmet Food Parlour Santry (Bonus: Stroll through the Santry Park afterward)

The Hairy Lemon 

12. Be a Tourist in the City

For those traveling in the city, you may already have a ton of tourist-like activities planned for your visit. However, if you’re solo traveling, it might be nice to enjoy some site-seeing with someone. Bonus if your date is actually from Dublin themselves, you really lucked out with your own personal tour guide. See if your date wants to check out the Guinness Storehouse or explore Trinity College together. Dublin is packed with lots to see and do! 

Romantic Weekend Getaways in Autumn Outside of Dublin

I wanted to be sure to include some fun weekend getaways to take you outside of Dublin. Autumn is a such a beautiful time of the year and to get out of the city can make for a romantic weekend with your partner. Not necessarily for those maybe just starting to date, but some fun places for couples traveling. Cozy up together for a special weekend away and check out some hidden gems around Ireland to visit.

13. Carton House, Fairmont Hotel, Maynooth, Co. Kildare

Located just 30 minutes outside of Dublin, this luxury hotel will not disappoint. Spend time at the spa, play a round of golf, walk on the trails, enjoy wine or whiskey tastings; there are really activities for all interests. This resort ranges on the more expensive side, but will make for a spectacular weekend getaway and isn’t too far of a drive!

14. Blairscove House

Pulling into the white gated entrance sits a few cottages, overlooking the bay with spectacular ocean views. With Christmas lights hung in the trees, you will escape into this dreamy, cozy, hidden gem. This place can be found 4 hours from Dublin in the southwest region of Ireland on the Mizen Head Peninsula. While you’re here, venture to the end of the peninsula to visit the Mizen Head bridge or drive over to the nearby quaint town of Bantry.

15. Kinsale Hotel & Spa

Take a drive 3 hours southwest to this beautiful hotel right on the coast overlooking the bay (I’m sensing a theme here). This place is gorgeous and the views from the hotel’s outdoor deck are unmatched. This hotel has a bunch of activities for guests and a lovely spa to relax and unwind at. The town of Kinsale itself is only a short 10-minute drive and is filled with so many cool restaurants right on the water, shops, beer gardens, and beaches. You can read more about Kinsale in my blog here.

Dublin Weather in Autumn

Autumn is a beautiful time in Dublin, and Ireland in general. I had fully expected it to rain 80% of the days, but to my surprise, I was met with more warmth and sunshine than anything during the 2 months I spent in the country. Typically, it would rain for an hour or two, clear up and be nice the rest of the day, so you can plan to enjoy most days. 

I’d say the weather is overall pretty mild, with temperatures averaging between 50°F to 65°F (10°C to 18°C).Obviously, always be prepared because in good Irish fashion, a rain shower can come pouring down unexpectedly. Also, anywhere you visit along the coast will typically be colder, so keep that in mind as you plan to visit some of the coastal towns or take a coastal hike. But overall, the weather in Autumn here is very enjoyable, making it the perfect time to plan some fun dates.

Conclusion: 15 Autumn Date Ideas in Dublin

Dublin is a great city and for any travelers out there, I hope you can find some of these autumn date ideas helpful. For any single travelers, I highly recommend downloading a dating app. I had so much fun with the guy I met in Dublin and I probably would not have seen half the things I did in the city without my experience with him. Obviously, not every date is going to be a success- trust me, I have been on some rough ones. But to have someone local to show you around their city, site-see with, and bring you to their favorite places is a wonderful experience to have. And, why not have a fun, little holiday romance?! Spice up your life 🙂 That’s the fun part of traveling- you never know who you’ll meet and what experiences it will lead to, so just enjoy it.