10 day Ireland itinerary feedback

Posted by ciaobb36 on 09/08/24 11:34 PM

Hello!
We are planning our 2025 Ireland trip and are having a hard time, like many, determining the right amount of places to see/stay. We will have a rental car. Here is what we are thinking right now -
-arrive Dublin and stay 3 nights. We were going to do 2 nights but thought the first day may be a bit of a loss since due to travel jet lag.
-Leave Dublin early AM to drive up north to see several of the sites for the full day before spending the night in Derry.
-Leave Derry to head to Galway (maybe stop in Slingo on our way for lunch). Stay in Galway for 2 nights while visiting Cliffs of Mohr, etc.
-Galway to Dingle for 2 nights. See Ring of Kerry, Slea Head, etc.
-Leave Dingle, stay in Cork for one night. See Blarney.
- Leave Cork to drive back to Dublin for a night before we depart the next day. Stop at Waterford on our way.

Would love to hear any feedback and ideas you may have!

Posted by MaryPat

Irving

09/09/24 12:42 AM

3125 posts

On arrival day take a direct bus from Dublin’s airport to Galway and visit Dublin at the end of your stay.

Posted by TexasTravelMom

TX, USA

09/09/24 04:50 AM

4573 posts

I am not sure how the transportation works out, but if you ARE able to take public transportation directly on to Derry and then Derry on to Galway - - then renting your car in Galway and putting Dublin last could give you an extra night to use somewhere else.

Posted by isn31c

Lake District, England

09/09/24 06:06 AM

7304 posts

Building on TTM's comments Aircoach run a service to Derry every two hours from Dublin Airport (running via Belfast)- https://www.aircoach.ie/timetables/705X

and Translink a service on a more irregular frequency on a more direct Cross Country route- their X3/X4- https://www.translink.co.uk/timetables?routeHashCode=5b5eeae5158eb435a1d0f756e126dc3867671ae56b0a2307d1ec1ffff5b852e3&transportMode=Bus&route=T0&direction=R

(On Translink you could also on an at least hourly frequency go by bus to Belfast Grand Central Bus Station, and change there onto a frequent bus to Derry. Grand Central Bus Station opened yesterday. By then the new Grand Central Rail Station in the same complex will be open for an hourly train to Derry).

From Derry to Galway Bus Eireann run route #64 every two hours- 2 hours 30 minutes to Sligo for lunch, then a further 2 hours 40 minutes to Galway- https://www.buseireann.ie/inner.php?id=406&form-view-timetables-from=Derry+%28Ulsterbus+Depot+Foyle+St+%29&form-view-timetables-to=Galway+%28Bus+Station%29&form-view-timetables-route=&form-view-timetables-submit=1

Posted by G3rryCee

Bellingham, WA

09/10/24 11:10 AM

291 posts

With just 10 days, you’ll be in the car all the time if you try to cover the whole country. Either go north and stay north, slowing down and getting out to Donegal or go south/west and do one of the peninsulas (Dingle, Kerry or Beara). With a car, you don’t need to stay in the cities and deal with the parking. Use Google maps to find villages that have accommodation along your route. If you want to visit the cities, take the others’ advice and use public transport and organized tours to Cliffs of Moher and Giants Causeway.