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14 day Ireland/Northern Ireland itinerary

Posted by (Richmond, VA) on

Hello everybody,

I am planning two, rather whirlwind, weeks in Ireland/Northern Ireland in July. I posted a question the other day about my Dublin plans and would also appreciate feedback on my full itinerary.

I will not be renting a car, which complicates and slows things down a bit. Feedback and suggestions would be most welcome.

Day One: Dublin [I will have arrived late the previous night]

Day Two: Dublin

Day Three: Mid-afternoon train and bus (via Cork) to Kinsale; arrive Kinsale by early evening.

Day Four: Kinsale

Day Five: Kinsale to Waterford [4 hr morning bus ride, change in Cork].

Day Six: Waterford to Kilkenny
[Morning in Waterford; aim for a 13:00-ish train to Kilkenny--45 min]

Day Seven: Kilkenny
[Kilkenny seems like a nice place to stop and catch my breath, hence the second night. Thoughts?]

Day Eight: Kilkenny to Belfast [five hours; three trains; I’m very open to suggestions on this one. This random overnight in Belfast is mainly to break the trip up en route to Derry. Is there another stop en route, accessible by public transport, which would improve the itinerary?]

Day Nine: Belfast to Derry [is a morning trip to Carrickfergus worth it? It’s close to Belfast, but would require doubling back to get the train to Derry]. Aim to arrive in Derry by mid-afternoon.

Day Ten: Derry

Day Eleven: Giant’s Causeway/Antrim Coast [return to Derry to sleep; alternatively could drop off bags in Portrush in the morning, continue with the Causeway rambler, and sleep in Portrush]

Day Twelve: Derry to Belfast [arrive between 10:30 and 12:00, depending on transit]

Day Thirteen: Belfast; late evening train/bus to Dublin

Day Fourteen: Fly home out of Dublin

I’d be particularly grateful for advice on the messy Kilkenny-Belfast-Derry leg. Also, what are people’s thoughts on Waterford? I’m very interested in the history, but the reviews of its major historical sites are decidedly mixed. I’ve seen reviews calling them cheesy, badly-explained, etc. I think the Waterford Crystal factory tour sounds interesting, but it's not vital.

Thanks so much!
Caroline

Posted by
154 posts

We will also be in N.Ireland/Ireland in July for 15 nights.

IMHO, it appears that there is a lot of wasted time. Now keep in mind that we haven't gotten there yet.
This is our itinerary which is a little different than yours, but here goes....

We will arrive Belfast for 3 nights.
From Belfast we are doing an all day bus tour of the N. Anrtrim Coast, (inc. Giants causeway, Carrick Bridge, Bushmills)
another day we will do Titanic Exp and Black Taxi tour

Train to Dublin for 2 nights...then bus tour of Glendalough and Kilkenny. We will remain in Kilkenny instead of returning to Dublin.
The following morn we are renting a car and touring the south (kinsale) and west (dingle, doolin, Galway and Connemara) that's where our itinerary begin to differ...

Your flights are prob not negotiable, but flying into Belfast was an accident for us, but the FF miles worked better. Were really glad that it worked out this way.
I can only hope to return someday and visit Derry and more of N. Ireland.

Posted by
317 posts

Greetings from Ireland, it all sounds good. I only have a few brief seconds to respond but a few quick points
1. Carrickfergus has a very very cool castle, and little else, if you love castles hop off the train, if not stay on the train and keep going
2. Waterford Crystal went bust a few year ago and are now a shadow of their former selves, their tour is still enjoyable if you're a waterford crystal fan you'll love it, but if not, again keep going in my humble opinion. And I've been there over 200 times.
3. Please keep in mind that the Nationalist community in the North, of which Im a member, refer to the two jurisdictions in Ireland as Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Not 'Ireland' and Northern Ireland. Ireland is an Island, I grew up in Derry and regard it as being in 'Ireland' just as it states clearly that it is on my Irish passport. Some may say this is an insignificant point, but If I'm visiting a country I like to be aware of local sensibilities, and I know from experience that if you are going to stay in Derry, many many locals in the overwhelming nationalist majority will politely correct you if you tell them you have begun your journey in 'Ireland' and have now arrived in 'Northern Ireland'.
4. Belfast is a very good choice for an overnight on your long trip between Kilkenny and Derry.
5. Glad you're visiting Kinsale, it one of our real gems, a beautiful town with so much to see and do.
le meas/with respect
Stephen McPhilemy
Rick Steves Ireland tour-guide
Derry and Dingle

Posted by
1 posts

Hi--We are planning just one week in Ireland starting in flying into Cork. We will travel from Cork up to Galway and that is about it. Is it worth staying in Cork or just have a visit and actually stay in Kinsale or Cobh? I have lodging possibilities in Ardmore and Midleton too but really don't know which direction to go. We will have our 2 kids--ages 7 and 11. Finally--has anyone take their kids to Bunratty Castle? It seems like a fun and educational adventure for little kids.
Thank you very much.
Shannon

Posted by
301 posts

Thank you, everyone, for your replies. I'll be sure to report back on how the car-less trip goes!

~C

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