Nestled in the heart of Ireland, Trim is a charming and historical town. Known for its stunning castle and ancient ruins, Trim boasts a wide array of attractions that make it a perfect destination for a weekend escape. If you’re wondering what to do in Trim and how to explore this hidden gem, we’ve rounded up some must-see places and experiences that will ensure you have a memorable and enjoyable trip. After a memorable trip, Buddy and I are sharing 6 Fun and Interesting Things To Do in Trim, Ireland.
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Our Trip to Trim
Buddy and I visited Trim while Buddy and his choir were on tour in Ireland. The morning we awoke in Galway. While Buddy and his choir woke up early so, they could spend the morning doing a guided tour of Dún Na Sí Amenity & Heritage Park with his choir. Meanwhile, Sal and I spent the morning enjoying a delicious breakfast in Galway before driving the two hours to Trim.
Once in Trim, we had a very memorable experience. The day we visited happened to be Buddy’s birthday and we had a lovely time watching his choir perform at the Trim Castle Hotel. We visited on a Monday in July, and we were happy to see that there were no crowds at all.
Buddy’s morning stop in Dún Na Sí Amenity & Heritage Park
We woke up early in Galway and then got on the bus to Dún Na Sí Amenity & Heritage Park. It was fun! They had farm animals, huts and houses, and an exhibit of musical instruments. It was interesting learning about the Bothán cabins where the laborers used to live. And how they raised the farm animals. The guide also told us about the Fairies at the Fairy tree on Fairy Island.
Because we are a choir – you know, music – we saw the Scéal Exhibition with musical instruments. I liked the harp. I also liked Lugh’s Spear, the art showing a giant spear coming out of the ground. Overall, it was a really nice place as a whole. I learned a lot and I recommend going back. A lot of it though seems to be for younger kids, like they have a playground and stuff so just know.
Thank you Buddy! And now back to Trim!
Trim Ireland: The Details
Áth Truim or Trim is located in County Meath on the River Boyne about a 45 minute drive from Dublin. It is a fun medieval town to explore! Trim is best known for its Norman Castle that dates back to 1174. The castle sits on the banks of the Boyne River in the heart of the town. It is the perfect place for a relaxing getaway or for travelers who love to be out walking in nature and among historic ruins.
Fast Fact: The 1995 Film “Braveheart” about the life of Scottish National Hero William Wallace was filmed in and around Trim Castle.
Although the proximity to Dublin makes Trim a perfect daytrip from the Irish capital, it is a great place for a relaxing overnight stay!
6 Fun and Interesting Things to do in Trim Ireland
1. Visit Trim Castle
The first must-visit attraction in Trim is the breathtaking Trim Castle. This castle played a significant role in the history of the country and has since been granted national heritage status. The jewel of Trim, this 12th century castle is the town’s most famous landmark. Visitors can take a guided tour of the castle and climb the Keep Tower for panoramic views. Kids and adults alike will love exploring the castle’s various rooms, exhibits and even the dungeon, a truly immersive and fascinating experience.
Fast Fact: Trim Castle is Ireland’s largest Norman castle.
Trim Castle is located in the heart of the city at Trim County Meath C15 HN90. Guests need tickets for guided tours of the Keep, but visits to the castle grounds are free. For the most up-to-date information including seasonal opening times or to purchase tickets online, visit the website.
After checking in to our hotel (more on that later), the first thing Sal and I did was walk across the street to Trim Castle. Tickets were available at the door; however, the next tour was at the exact time that Buddy and his choir were scheduled to tour the castle. Rather than be the parents that embarrassed our teen on tour with his friends, Sal and I decided to walk the castle grounds instead.
That was a decision that I regret because as it turns out, Buddy’s choirs stayed longer at their first stop than expected, and they did a guided tour of Trim Castle later in the day. So, we missed out. But this is what Buddy had to say.
A Teenager’s Perspective
“Trim Castle was interesting. What interested me most was how they built the castle and where the ammunition was stored. I also liked how castle design is more square shape and not as tall compared to other castles that we saw in Ireland. Those were some of the differences. Also, the castle was designed as a house for a knight or knighted official. My favorite thing about it was that they shot ‘Braveheart’ there.”
“Our tour lasted about an hour. I do recommend it. The other kids I went with liked it too.”
Trim Castle is great for: History lovers, fans of the movie “Braveheart,” a nice stroll.
2. Explore St Mary’s Abbey
Another must-see historical attraction is St Mary’s Augustinian Abbey. Once a significant religious and cultural site, the Abbey’s majestic ruins are just steps from Trim Castle. Founded in 1368, the grandeur of the former St. Mary’s Abbey buildings still shines through, especially as you near the jagged Yellow Steeple. Formerly the east wall of the Abbey, the 131 foot/40 m tall Yellow Steeple is a sight to behold and makes you wonder what the abbey must have looked like in its heyday.
St. Mary’s Abbey is located at Abbey Lane, Trim, County Meath. The site is a private residence so there is no access to or tours of the site. The best way to experience St. Mary’s Abbey is from the grass pathways that surround the abbey and castle area. For the most up-to-date information, visit the website.
Fast Fact: St. Mary’s Abbey is founded on the site of a previous church that was founded by St. Patrick.
After exploring Trim Castle Grounds, Sal and I followed the grass pathways to St. Mary’s Abbey. We made a beeline for the Yellow Steeple before continuing our walk among the ruins. The ruins were a wonder. Seeing what remained of the spiral staircase and the windows of the old abbey sparked our imaginations.
Buddy says, “Because my choir had a performance later that afternoon, I did not get to visit St. Mary’s Abbey. But it looked cool from a distance. The Yellow Steeple kind of looked like Mordor.”
Great for: History lovers, a nice walk.
3. Take a stroll on the Trim Castle River Walk
A great way to see the town is to take a walk along the Trim Porchfields and River Walk. This path runs along River Boyne and is lined with informational panels that tell the history of the place or shares information about the flora and fauna. A walk along the Trim Castle River Walk takes about 30 minutes. But that is not the only path. There are grass pathways that wind from Trim Castle to St. Mary’s Abbey to the Sheep Gate, and on to An Baile Nua or Newtown. This walk is excellent for anyone open to enjoying the quiet side of Trim.
Sal and I spent some time walking the Porchfield spending most of our time on the grass pathways. Unfortunately, because we had a performance to attend later that afternoon, we did not get to explore the River Walk west of Ring Road. We missed Horse Bridge and Newtown.
Buddy says, “I walked on some of the grass pathways with my choir when I was touring Trim Castle. But we did not get to explore any further because of our performance.”
Great for: A walk, or a run! Nature lovers, travelers with families and people of all ages who like to walk.
4. Walk on the Oldest Bridge in Ireland
Not far from Trim Castle sits the oldest bridge in Ireland. Dating back to 1393, The old bridge sits atop River Boyne. And guess what, it is still in use! You can walk, or drive, over the bridge today. And the name of the street that sits upon the oldest bridge in Ireland? Bridge Street! Ireland’s oldest bridge is located at Bridge St, Townparks South, Trim, County Meath, Ireland, just a short walk from Trim Castle. There are some restaurants and pubs near the bridge.
Full disclosure, I had no idea the bridge that we walked over a few times, and I think drove over at least once, was the oldest bridge in Ireland. I did not realize that until we returned home, and someone mentioned it.
Buddy says, “I didn’t know about the bridge either. Maybe our tour guide mentioned it, but I wasn’t paying attention. Also, I can’t remember if we drove over the bridge.
Great for: Bridge enthusiasts, history buffs.
5. Grab a bite, or a pint!
After all that exploring, you’re bound to be hungry! Luckily, Trim has a variety of options when it comes to dining. You can choose from restaurants serving traditional Irish cuisine or try a charming bakery that will satisfy your sweet tooth. Whatever you choose, you won’t be disappointed.
Some of the best food that we had in Ireland was in Trim. The food was soo good! Here are some of the restaurants and pubs we visited in Trim.
Restaurants
- The Olive Tree. A café on Bridge Street with delicious drinks and incredible food. We stopped in for lunch, but the café is open for breakfast too and the breakfast menu looked delicious!
- The Harvest Home Bakery & Café. We visited Trim on Buddy’s birthday and ordered a cake for his choir from the Harvest Home Bakery & Café. It was one of the best cakes that I have ever had! And they even delivered the cake to the hotel on the day they were closed, making Buddy’s birthday special. I am so grateful for that! They had excellent customer service. I wanted to stop by while we were there, but they are closed on Mondays, and we left before they opened on Tuesday. Which was a bummer because their cake was soo good!
- Jules Restaurant in Trim Castle Hotel. We had two meals at Trim Castle Hotel. Dinner which was catered as a part of Buddy’s choir performance. As it was the 4th of July, the hotel served the choir hotdogs and hamburgers – fitting of a 4th of July celebration. It was a lovely touch, and I am sure it helped make them feel a bit more at home. And our overnight stay included a full Irish breakfast at the hotel which was delicious.
Pubs
- Judge and Jury on Castle Street.
- Sally Roger’s Bar on Bridge Street. This bar was fun! They had a very fun and entertaining musician playing on a Monday night. It was lively, and the musicians even sung a few songs for the 4th of July.
Great for: Foodies!
6. Spend the night at Trim Castle Hotel
Finally, the perfect way to end your exploration in Trim is by staying at the renowned Trim Castle Hotel. This hotel is in the heart of the town, offering stunning views of the castle and River Boyne. Enjoy the stunning views from your room and have a rejuvenating night’s rest. Trim Castle Hotel is a perfect place to relax.
Trim Castle Hotel was the nicest and most luxurious hotel that we stayed in during our two-and-a-half-week jaunt around Ireland and Scotland. And it was a delightful treat! There were many things I liked about the hotel from the views of the castle to the restaurants, to the fact that it is family owned. But my most favorite part was the full-size bathtub in the room!
I know that it is rare for European hotels to have full size bathtubs. Overjoyed to see this luxury, I ended my day exploring Trim by taking a hot bath. It was a nice luxury after days of road tripping and hiking around the Irish countryside.
Pro Tip: In general, most European hotels do not offer wash cloths. In fact, during our trip, there was only one hotel Aloft in Dublin that offered wash cloths. If you prefer them for bathing, be sure to bring your own!
Although Trim is usually a day trip from Dublin, I highly encourage visitors to spend at least one night in town! And no, Trim Castle Hotel did not sponsor this blog post. I just enjoyed my visit.
Great for: A relaxing getaway, a couple’s romantic weekend (parents can leave the kids at home).
A Teenager’s Perspective
Buddy says, “Trim Castle Hotel was really nice. The fanciest hotel we went to on our tour. It was so nice to get to sing there on my birthday. My choir sang happy birthday to me, and my mom got me a cake. It was a 4th of July cake and the audience, who I shared my cake with, was excited to see it. But I did not get to stay at Trim Castle Hotel like my parents. I stayed at a hostel, and I don’t remember the name.”
Visiting Trim Ireland?
Stay at the Trim Castle Hotel! (Not a paid promotion, I just really enjoyed the full tub!)
Compare prices on Expedia and Booking.com!
Book your car!
Is Trim Ireland worth visiting?
Yes! We are so glad we did not miss this town.
I loved Trim. It was a fun and cute town with great food. And I loved the river walk. I would have loved to have spent one more day there to make it a relaxing weekend (or weekday in our case) getaway. It was a lovely place with some strong romantic vibes. I think it would be perfect for a couple’s getaway.
Buddy says, “I liked Trim too. Especially the castle. I would go back.”
And we did not film any Movement Postcards in Trim. Maybe next time!
Trim is a hidden gem that offers incredible experiences to its visitors. From exploring the historic Trim Castle to taking a walk on Trim Castle River Walk, this scenic town is a great place to get away from the crowds, get out in nature, and enjoy the sites (and food). So why not plan a visit to Trim the next time you’re in Ireland? You won’t regret it!
Are you planning a trip to Trim Ireland? If so, let us know in the comments below!
Do you have questions about family travel or traveling with teens? Feel free to reach out! We are happy to chat and share our experiences! We look forward to connecting with you.
If you enjoyed reading this, check out these blog posts!
- One Day in Dublin: 9 Interesting Things To Do
- Day Trip to Kilkenny: 5 Interesting Things To Do
- 7 of the Best Things To Do in Galway
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Looks like y’all had such a blast on your trip to Trim! Staying at that hotel looks like a dream, and I would love to walk across Ireland’s oldest bridge – how cool! Xx Sara
I’ve never heard of Trim before. Seems like it was a relaxing visit without too much crowding!
Trim was a lovely place. We would definitely go back!
Trim sounds charming! I love going to less touristy places when I travel, outside of the big cities, and Trim fits the bill. Plus, that’s an old bridge!
What a fun place to visit! I’ve never been to Ireland but this looks worthy of a stop while there. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Looks like a lot of fun! I’m planning a trip to Ireland probably in the next few years, so this will be really helpful. :] Thanks for this!
I would love to visit Ireland & I really appreciate the teenage viewpoint, as I have a 14-year old & always wonder if these are places they’d enjoy or if we should wait and go after he’s grown. I think the historic castles are the things I’d enjoy most.
Glad we could help out with the teenage perspective!
From your posts I am adding so many spots to our plans for when we visit Ireland. Always fun to visit spots like Trim that were used as movie sets. Very interesting to know that the older bridge in Ireland is there. Good to remind people that the Europeans don’t use wash cloths. It stumped us when we first started travelling.
I am happy to hear these posts are helpful. Please let us know how your trip goes!
I love Ireland, though never been in Trim. Next time I won’t miss it. Thank you for the idea and for the helpful post.
Trim Castle looks amazing! What a fun and educational place to visit and explore. Thank you for the great informative post.
First time hearing about Trim. I would love to stay at the Trim castle and explore the Trim River walk.
What a fantastic guide for exploring this charming town! Thanks for sharing these hidden gems. I’m looking forward to experiencing Trim’s beauty myself!