We love spending a few days on a trip to do some sightseeing outside of the city. Trim is an hour away from Dublin by bus, which makes it an easy day trip.
Getting There
It’s super easy (and cheaper) to get to Trim on your own without joining a tour group. You can buy your ticket at the bus station, Busáras or buy it from the driver. It cost us about €18 each for a round trip ticket and Tristan’s was €5 since he got a child’s ticket.
We bought our same day tickets before we departed for Trim so you don’t have to buy it online, but if you do, here is the website for Bus Éireann, providing services throughout the Republic of Ireland (kind of like Greyhound here at home in the States.)
You will need to get on Bus 111 to Trim. It’s an hour’s ride but it goes by really fast. Check out the timetable for this route, here. Once you’ve entered Trim, you can get off at the Boyne Bridge Bypass stop. One way you can get to the castle is by walking via Castle Street. It’s the first street on your right hand side. The castle will be around the corner, you can’t miss it! Follow the castle walls and you will get to the entrance.
Now the other option. If you want to take the back way into the castle grounds like we did, use the gated door seen on your right once you’ve gotten off at the bus stop.
You can walk beautiful, lush green hills and paths along the River Boyne and explore its amazing ruins like St. Mary’s Abbey, Yellow Steeple and the Sheep Gate.
St. Mary’s Abbey
The 40m Yellow Steeple is practically all that is left of St. Mary’s Abbey, built in 1368. It was once the Augustinian abbey’s bell tower that had windows and a spiral staircase. Although it is in a ruin state, it still has its unique charm and a way of drawing you in to its past.
I don’t know if it was because we were on a hill, but the wind was extreme and the cold rain didn’t make it any better. But it was wonderful at the same time trying to seek occasional shelter within the little corridor of the tower.
Retreating from the howling wind, I peered into a tiny gated room and imagined what life may have been like centuries ago when the abbey stood in one piece. Moments like these are what make our travels feel authentic.
I just wish we were there on a nice weather day, then maybe we would’ve seen the steeple turn yellow when the sun hits it – which is how it got its name.
Sheep Gate
Tristan had a blast playing hide and seek at the sheep gate. This gate is the last remaining gate that stood at the town’s defensive wall.
How cool it must be to live in a historic town like Trim and be able to walk through these ruins anytime?
Braveheart
As a big movie fan, I knew we absolutely had to visit Trim Castle, used in the Mel Gibson movie, Braveheart. Funny enough, while the movie is about a Scottish warrior – a chunk of the film was shot in Ireland!
Some people questioned why they would even think to film a Scottish story based movie in Ireland – well apparently it all came down to money.
Ireland gave the producers a tax break and offered up loads of people to play as extras in the film. It was a cold, windy, rainy day but the ruins and castle sitting along the River Boyne really made it appealing.
Trim Castle
Trim Castle is a true medieval Norman castle given to Hugh de Lacy by King Henry II of England in 1172. It underwent many restorations and additions throughout the years which we learned about on our guided tour.
Hugh de Lacy and his son, Walter made it the largest Anglo-Norman castle in Europe.
With its thick stone walls and Keep, used as a the center stronghold of the castle, it would make anyone feel intimidated even in the condition it is today.
Walking through the castle felt a bit eerie, and if you do visit, be aware you will be climbing up and down narrow, stone staircases so watch your step!
I would say it’s not recommended for kids or someone with mobility issues, but as for kids there were people in our group who just walked up the stairs holding their kid (like Meshach did with Tristan.)
Strollers are obviously not ideal.
The Keep
Our ticket included entry to the rooftop. As someone who has a fear of heights, we were very high up but the view was amazing! The wind – not so much.
I’m not going to lie, I had a bit of anxiety going back down the narrow stairs in the castle and it wasn’t because of heights. Unfortunately, being the last person down the stairs, I naturally thought about an earlier conversation of the tour when our guide told us the castle is haunted. I shudder at the thought of walking past all of those quiet rooms alone.
I quickly bolted down the staircases as fast as I could because who knows what would’ve been lurking in those dark empty rooms!
But please, don’t let my wild imagination stop you from exploring this awesome castle in Ireland. You really should visit Trim, especially if you’re looking for a way to explore outside of Dublin without traveling too far.
Where to Eat
Spending most of our day roaming the castle grounds, we worked up an appetite. When you leave the castle, turn right on Castle Street and make a left on Market Street. There you will find Rachel’s Cafe, serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and treats throughout the day at a great price!
Being in the cold all day, we literally melted when we entered this delicious smelling café.
We chose Rachel’s Cafe because of their daily specials. For 9 euros per meal it includes an entrée, side salad, chips and hot tea which was perfect for the weather we had that day.
Meshach ordered Steak and Kidney Pie and I ordered Chicken Kiev. Tristan wanted to eat off both our plates, but was mainly interested in a warm glass of milk.
The food is so good there and the staff are so friendly. It felt like eating a home cooked meal. Our bellies were full and happy on our way back to Dublin!
More photos from our day, below.
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What smaller towns did you explore outside of a big city? Comment below and share this post!
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