Where near Dublin meets our needs?

[OMGitsnotgood]

A friend and I are considering a couple of days away.She particularly wants to visit Dublin.
We would like a two bedroomed apartment rather than hotel rooms and think we would get more for our money/ have more choice outside of the city centre.

We’d like to be based somewhere which is lovely in itself, with bars and restaurants and good public transport links into the centre, ideally no more than 20-30 minutes away.

Any suggestions for areas to consider please? Thank you

Malahide

I second Malahide. Also Dun Laoghaire or Howth.

Thank you.

Bray is also worth considering but Malahide has a good buzz and holiday feel nice bars and restaurants, a marina and there's a castle too. Train station in the middle of the town that takes you directly into Dublin City centre

Third vote for Malahide. Greedy Goose, Townyard Grill lovely food. Nice walk around the Castle, beach, handy to city centre on the DART / train.
And handy for the airport.

Forgot the beach! It's a lively one too. The Thai restaurant is good if I remember.