Hello there! My boyfriend and I are going to Ireland in November for a little over 3 days. We land in Shannon at 8am on a Friday and we leave on Tuesday out of Shannon at 4pm. We want to do it ALL but also want some relaxation and down time. I would really appreciate any and all advice in regards to a travel itinerary. From what I've read, its best to stay around Shannon initially or that area of Ireland to get over the jet lag and learn to drive on the left :) We would like to venture towards Dublin at some point as well as Belfast but I think that would be stretching it for this trip but not sure. Tell me how we should plan our trip!
Posted by
Chicago
8164 posts
if you are going to Ireland for 3 days forget driving all the way to Belfast. What is it? You do not believe that you will have an opportunity to go anywhere again? I would forget Dublin also. Maybe just stay in the west and see some of the Shannon area
(you got to open up a guide book or online site for info about the areas that you want to see) and go and chill with a Guinness at the Cliffs of Doher.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Edited: we arrrive at 8am on saturday
Posted by
RIchmond, BC,Canada
933 posts
If it were me I would not even attempt to get up to Dublin, let alone Belfast. If you actually want to get out of the car and spend some time at some sights then you need to narrow your focus a lot. I would pick either the area around Killarney (Dingle, Ring of Kerry, Gap of Dunloe etc), or head up the coast towards Galway (Cliffs of Moher, Aran Islands, the Burren, Connemara). The best things about Ireland are the scenery, the music/pubs, the people. You don't want the 'green blur' tour where you drive for eight hours just to spend an hour at one place. Your last day where you have to be back at Shannon to fly out you won't get much sight-seeing done as you will have to make sure you have time to return the car etc. I would suggest you come up with a plan and then double the amount of time you think it will take you to do it. One thing that can be helpful is to look at the web sites for companies that offer day long bus tours and see what they fit in in a day. They can be a good guide for what's possible.
Posted by
Keizer, Oregon, USA
588 posts
Not enough time for Belfast or Dublin. There are lots of things to see on the West Coast. It is all about the scenery, music, pubs, people. The Dingle Peninsula and the Cliffs of Mahler and Keswick, the place for seafood. Kinsale -- lovely little town.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Thank you all for the suggestions!! Definitely keep them coming. Ive read that the Ring of Kerry isnt as impressive aftet visiting Dingle so we should skip it? Thoughts? I also read that you can drive thru Burren and see what you need to see without spending too much time there. Please tell me what you think. We def love music and people and pubs!! Where should we stay? Should we land, get a car and start driving? Which direction? Or should we stay near Shannon or maybe Galway and go from there? I see that Galway, the cliffs, Blarney Castle, Dingle, and Bunratty Castle are all close to the airport (within 2 hours). I just want to make the best use of our time but yes, we definitely dont want to be in the car alllll the time or just see a 'green blur' ! Thank you.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Also...if we were crazy and wanted to go to Dublin for a day how and where should we put it in our itinerary? ( I think my boyfriend really wants to go) thank you!
Posted by
1172 posts
As others have said, I would stick to the West coast. There is more than enough for you to spend 3 days.
We loved the Ring of Kerry and would recommend doing it. If you love music and people, then Dingle would be a great spot for you as well.
I would forget about Dublin for this trip and come back another time and do Dublin and Belfast then.