Advice for Ireland/Northern Ireland trip in June

Since you are limiting driving options might investigate a day tour from Dublin to Powerscourt and Glendalough. Glendalough is gorgeous.

While in Belfast, Mournes seafood, Titanic Museum, St Georges Market, the Crumlin Road Gaol and a Black cab tour of the Troubles should be researched to see if you have any interest.

Remember Euros in Eire, Pounds in NI.

Have a lovely time. Two beautiful countries to explore

I recently took a guided tour of Northern Ireland and loved it. There’s a nice visitor center at Giant’s Causeway, then you either walk down or take the shuttle (I walked down and took the shuttle back up). It was exhilarating, walking on the columns and seeing the mighty North Atlantic. I really enjoyed Belfast, did the Titanic Experience and took a black taxi tour of the Troubles. Very worthwhile. Also visited Hillsboro Castle, which is actually more like a Georgian manor house and where the royal family stays when in Northern Ireland. One of the highlights of the trip for me. Make sure you pop into the Crown pub while in Belfast.

Thanks for the input. Looking forward to it!

Thanks for the train/bus info and link! As I mentioned, trying to keep driving to a minimum. Any thoughts on the public transport for Derry to Sligo, then Sligo-Galway-Limerick (Shannon Airport)?

Seems like public transit is doable - what a relief. I’ve always thought Ireland was a driving trip, so having other options makes me more excited to go!

I hear you! I don't like being a passenger (while spouse drives) in city centers in Ireland so... I spent A LOT of time to get this trip really good and it all worked out except for having to wait for correct rental car for 4 hours! : \ We did a simliar trip a couple of years back. Train to Belfast after staying at the AMAZING Shelbourne (you will LOVE it!), then train to Portrush. Stayed 2-3 nts in each town. Then train to Derry (it was raining so just kept going, tho sad to have missed Derry) and immediately took bus to Letterkenny where we picked up a rental car at Enterprise to explore South and North Donegal County for several days. Was fabulous driving all over with a car there. We returned car in Letterkenny and took the bus back to Dublin.

This summer we're looking into doing only car rental for Connemara and Sligo regions. So train to Galway (we can really only fly into Dublin since it's direct from LA). Pick up car there and then dropping off car in Sligo. Train direct back to Dublin. It sounds like the area outside of Sligo town is more exciting than the town itself so maybe skip that and go straight to Galway, if you don't have a car?

Have fun! Beautiful country and people!

I just returned from several weeks of driving both in Ireland and the North. I rented a car from Hertz at Dublin Airport and spent part of the time in Cos. Londonderry and Tyrone. There was no problem with my driving out of Ireland and no extra charges. I did see several other companies that did charge, however, so you do have to ask this. As long as I returned it back to Dublin, it was fine.

I’ve taken the bus from Derry to Galway. It makes for a pretty long ride. I would break it up with a stop in Sligo.

Yes, we are planning a stop in Sligo.

We’re getting some currency at AAA (pounds and euros)