The County of Dublin was divided into three new areas with county-level status as well as having its own administration back in 1994, specifically Fingal, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown and South County Dublin.
The South County Dublin which includes the governmental counties of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown and portion of Dublin city, is the region located at the southern side of River Liffey as well as Dublin that goes up to the Dublin Mountains that are close to County Wicklow. Most of this area is occupied by the suburbs of Dublin but there is also a substantial area of hills, hinterland and mountains. With the M50 Motorway, it allows easy accessibility to all the national main routes, seaports and the railway. The South County Dublin is one of the best places to visit since many of the tourist spots are situated in the suburbs close to the DART line. The area has also access to an extensive bus service as well as the new tramway system called LUAS. Dalkey, the only elected heritage town in Dublin is located in South County Dublin. The town boasts a number of tourist spots that includes castles, harbors, an island and a visitor center. There are also several first class restaurants, cafes and pubs to try out while at the same time enjoying the best views of Dublin and the Wicklow Mountains. Dn Laoghaire is the main town in South County Dublin as well as serving as the second port of Dublin. The harbor is the main attraction but other spots worth visiting include the maritime museum and the Pavilion Theater.
The North County Dublin or Fingal has an extensive reach to the north of River Liffey and the city border to Balbriggan. The area is basically flat and a countryside area populated with villages, towns and some of the ideal tourist spots to visit. The towns such as Howth and Clontarf are ideal spots to enjoy watersports. Malahide is a village situated on the northernmost point of the DART railway line. It offers tourist spots such as the Malahide Castle, Fry Model Railway and the Talbot Botanic Gardens. Do not forget the Newbridge House that offers an architectural grandeur worth visiting. The villages of Rusk and Lusk as well as the town of Skerries show links to both history and the sea.
In the town of Balbriggan in the North County Dublin, the best attractions such as the Victorian Garden, Ardgillan Castle and Demesne are found. North County Dublin is also offers a vast scale of parkland and woodland golf courses that can cater to both beginner and expert golfers. The county also offers the best beaches in Dublin which is packed during the months of July, August and September. Other attractions worth visiting in North County Dublin include the Casino Marino which is one of the finest neoclassical structures in Europe and the National Botanic Gardens located in Glasnevin.
Any visit to Dublin is not complete without taking a trip to the scenic Irish countryside. Far beyond Dublin, there are still many places that are worth visiting. Even a short day trip beyond Dublin to one of the bordering counties such as Meath, Wicklow or Kildare will provide a glimpse on the stunning scenery.