Laytown
Laytown at a Glance
Costs: Moderate - Irish coastal town prices - $80-140/day for lodging, meals and transport to Dublin.
Safety: Safe and relaxed - very safe and family-friendly; typical small-town atmosphere.
Best Time: May-September (warmer, festival season) - warmer, sunnier months and festival season are best.
Why Visit Laytown?
Perched on County Meath’s coastline, Laytown draws attention for its unique beach horse races each September, a rarity in Ireland. Wide sandy stretches that continue into neighboring Bettystown invite walkers and swimmers, while the village’s pubs serve fresh seafood and traditional Irish stews. Close proximity to Dublin and the Boyne Valley’s ancient sites makes it an easy seaside stop with local character.
Best Things to Do in Laytown
Museum
Kilmainham Gaol
Former Dublin prison now a history museum
Amusement Park
Guinness Storehouse
Interactive museum about Guinness brewing history
Tomb
Newgrange
Neolithic passage tomb older than Egyptian pyramids
Zoo
Dublin Zoo
Large city zoo in Phoenix Park, Dublin
Museum
National Museum of Ireland
Ireland's national museum preserving archaeology and cultural collections
Museum
James Joyce Tower and Museum
Georgian Martello tower housing James Joyce memorabilia
Stadium
Aviva Stadium
Modern Dublin stadium hosting rugby and football
Archaeological Site
Brú na Bóinne
Neolithic landscape with passage tombs at Boyne Valley
Laytown Bucket List
Don't Miss
Laytown Strand - Wide sandy beach famous for seasonal horse racing and long coastal walks.
Laytown Races (annual event) - Unique annual beach horse races drawing local crowds and festive atmosphere.
Laytown village shops and cafés - Small village centre with bakeries, cafés and friendly local businesses.
Hidden Gems
River Nanny estuary - Estuary offering birdwatching, calm walks and quiet fishing spots near the shore.
Mornington coastal walk - Coastal path linking Laytown to Mornington with dunes and sea views.
Local seafood takeaways and family-run pubs - Family-run pubs and takeaway spots serving fresh local seafood and hearty meals.
Day Trips
Newgrange (Brú na Bóinne) - World Heritage prehistoric passage tombs at Newgrange, impressive Neolithic burial mounds.
Dublin city centre - Short train ride to Dublin for museums, Georgian squares and lively cultural life.
Nearby Cities #
Best Time to Visit Laytown
Laytown is nicest in summer for mild, pleasant weather and beach time, while spring offers fewer crowds and green scenery. Winters are cool and wet - atmospheric but not ideal for long beach days.
Winter
Cold, damp and blustery - cozy pubs and quiet beaches, but bring a rainproof jacket and warm layers.
Spring
Refreshing and green with longer days - great for coastal walks and smaller crowds compared with midsummer.
Summer
Mild, pleasant and the sunniest stretch - best for swimming, seaside cafés and community events, though weather can be changeable.
Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 20°C. Moderate rainfall (866 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 2° - 7° | 0° | 90 mm | overcast | 91% | 6.2 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.9h |
| February | Poor | 2° - 8° | 1° | 68 mm | overcast | 90% | 5.9 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.6h |
| March | Acceptable | 3° - 10° | 3° | 67 mm | overcast | 88% | 5.8 m/s | 0.4 low | 11.7h |
| April | Acceptable | 4° - 12° | 5° | 54 mm | overcast | 86% | 5.0 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 13.8h |
| May | Good | 7° - 15° | 11° | 56 mm | overcast | 84% | 4.7 m/s | 1.2 high | 15.7h |
| June | Good | 9° - 18° | 14° | 62 mm | overcast | 84% | 4.4 m/s | 1.5 high | 16.7h |
| July | Good | 11° - 20° | 16° | 60 mm | overcast | 85% | 4.3 m/s | 1.3 high | 16.2h |
| August | Good | 11° - 19° | 15° | 77 mm | overcast | 86% | 4.3 m/s | 1.1 high | 14.6h |
| September | Good | 9° - 17° | 13° | 71 mm | overcast | 87% | 4.8 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Acceptable | 7° - 14° | 10° | 86 mm | overcast | 88% | 5.4 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.4h |
| November | Acceptable | 4° - 10° | 4° | 85 mm | overcast | 90% | 5.5 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.4h |
| December | Poor | 3° - 8° | 1° | 90 mm | overcast | 91% | 5.9 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.3h |
How to Get to Laytown
Laytown is on the coastal Dublin-Belfast rail corridor and is straightforward to reach from Dublin Airport via a coach into the city plus a direct train to Laytown. For regional travel, trains are usually the fastest and most convenient option.
Dublin Airport (DUB): Dublin Airport is the main gateway. To reach Laytown, many visitors take a bus or Airlink into Dublin city (Airlink 747/748 or private coaches) - city transfer takes about 25-40 minutes and fares for coaches commonly range €7-€8. From Dublin Connolly or Dublin Pearse catch an Irish Rail train northbound to Laytown; the rail leg from Dublin to Laytown is about 40-50 minutes and fares typically sit around €5-€10 depending on advance purchase and ticket type.
Belfast / Regional airports: If arriving via Northern Ireland airports, travel times are longer and require intercity rail/bus connections through Dublin or Drogheda depending on routing.
Train: Laytown station is on the Dublin-Belfast line; commuter and some InterCity trains stop here. Journey to Dublin Connolly is roughly 40-50 minutes with single fares commonly €5-€10.
Bus: Local bus services and Bus Éireann routes serve Laytown and link to nearby Drogheda; local buses are useful for short hops and connections if train times don’t suit you. Single fares are inexpensive (typically a few euros).
How to Get Around Laytown
Trains on the Dublin-Belfast line are the simplest way to reach Laytown from Dublin Airport (coach + train). Local buses and taxis fill in gaps for off-peak travel; walking and cycling work well for short local exploration.
- Irish Rail (commuter / InterCity) (€5-10) - Laytown station is served by commuter and some InterCity services on the Dublin-Belfast line. Trains to Dublin Connolly take ~40-50 minutes; buy tickets online, at machines or on the app. Services are frequent on weekdays.
- Coach / Airport transfer (Airlink / Bus Éireann) (€7-8) - Coaches from Dublin Airport to the city centre (Airlink/express coaches) are frequent and drop near Connolly/Busáras for rail connections. Typical fares to the city are around €7-€8.
- Local bus (€1.50-4.00) - Local Bus Éireann and regional buses serve Laytown and connect to Drogheda and neighbouring villages. Buses are useful for short hops or off-peak travel when trains are less frequent.
- Taxi (€10-30) - Taxis are convenient for door-to-door travel, especially with luggage or late arrivals. Short trips to/from nearby Drogheda or beaches are quick and relatively affordable.
- Bicycle - Laytown and the surrounding coast are pleasant by bike for short local trips; check accommodation for bike parking or rental options.
- Walking - The village and beachfront areas are easily walkable; many visitors explore the coast and local shops on foot.
Where to Stay in Laytown
Budget
Laytown itself has limited hotels; budget travellers commonly stay in Drogheda nearby. Expect simple B&Bs and small hotels outside summer weekends.
Westcourt Hotel (Drogheda) - Comfortable budget option near Laytown
Carlton Hotel Drogheda - Affordable mid-budget with family rooms
Mid-Range
*Drogheda - €90-150/night (10-15 min drive) *
Mid-range options cluster in nearby Drogheda (10-15 minutes by car), with riverside hotels and easy access to Laytown beach and commuter links.
Battlebridge Hotel (Drogheda) - Riverfront mid-range hotel in Drogheda
Carlton Hotel Drogheda - Good family facilities, near town centre
Luxury
*Drogheda luxury - €150+/night (10-20 min drive) *
Luxury choices are limited locally; the best higher-end hotels are in Drogheda, offering bigger rooms and onsite amenities for beach day trips.
The Woodlands Hotel & Suites (Drogheda) - Upscale suites and leisure facilities
Drogheda Manor / boutique options - Boutique higher-end stays nearby
Where to Eat in Laytown
Coastal Pubs & Casual Fare
Laytown’s food scene is small and coastal - friendly pubs, fish-and-chip shops and nearby Drogheda’s restaurants serve the majority of dining options.
- Laytown pubs and bistros - Seafood chowders and pub meals.
- Drogheda dining (nearby) - Wider range of eateries.
- Local fish-and-chip shops - Classic Irish fried fish.
Seaside Treats & Cafés
Seafront cafés and seasonal market stalls offer simple seaside treats - ice cream, sandwiches and coffee are perfect after a walk along Laytown beach.
- Seafront cafés - Coffee, scones and light bites.
- Beach snack vendors - Ice cream and takeaway sandwiches.
- Local market stalls - Seasonal produce and baked goods.
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Laytown’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Laytown
Evening life in Laytown is low-key, with a handful of local pubs and seasonal beach crowds during summer. The annual Laytown races are a major social event that livens up the town for a short period.
Shopping in Laytown
Shopping in Laytown is mostly small, local businesses and convenience stores suited to residents and beach visitors. For a larger selection of shops and supermarkets, nearby Drogheda is the closest option.