Student in Dublin: nature destinations accessible by public transport

Hi everyone,

I'm a 20-something international student who'll be based in Dublin for a few weeks in July 2026. I won't have access to a car, so I'll be relying on public transport (Leap Card, buses and trains) and I´m trying to keep costs fairly low.

I've already looked into places such as Wicklow Mountains National Park, Dingle (mainly for farm experiences with lambs), and trips to see puffins. From what I've found, Wicklow seems accessible by bus from Dublin, but Dingle and some wildlife locations look much more complicated without a car.

For people who have travelled around Ireland using only public transport:

• Which of these destinations are realistically doable as day trips from Dublin?
• Are there any nature-focused alternatives that are easier to reach by public transport but offer a similar experience (mountains, coastal scenery, wildlife, farms, etc.)?
• For Wicklow and Limmerick or Cork specifically, which trails or areas would you recommend for someone without a car?
• Has anyone visited farms that allow visitors to interact with lambs, and if so, how did you get there using public transport?

I've also seen places such as Howth, Bray, Greystones and Glendalough mentioned frequently. If you've done any of these on a student budget, I'd love to hear what worked well.

Thanks!