My husband and I enjoy having a home base when we travel, and taking side trips via public transport, or some other excursions where we don't have to rent a car.
Since we have never been to Ireland, what would be a good home base to spend 6-8 days? We enjoy history, museums, music,cultural activities, beautiful natural sights and good food! We love to walk as much as possible.
Posted by
RIchmond, BC,Canada
855 posts
Dublin would probably be the best for everything you are looking for. There are lots of day tours you can take from there to see other places. I also used Killarney and Galway (my favourite) as bases for a few days, but neither one has the museums or public transit that Dublin has. If you wanted to stay in two places you could split your time between Dublin and Galway, but you will lose a day travelling to Galway by train and then back to Dublin to fly out so I would only do this if I had at least 8 days.
Posted by
1172 posts
I also would say Dublin... so much history, culture, great food and a very walkable city. You will have a ton of day trips available from there as well.
Posted by
Land of La
8672 posts
Dublin fits what your interests are. Book of Kells, Archeology Museum, the Gaol, walking in St Stephens Green. From Dublin arranging tours to see Glendalough and Newgrange are a must!
Might also plan to take a bus or train for a day in Belfast as well. If interested in experiencing NI, I spend at least two nights in Belfast so you'd be able to visit the unique Giants Causeway , the Titanic Museum , and take the fascinating Black Cab tour of the Troubles. If you do get north don't miss out on the seafood chowder at Mourne's next the Kelly Cellars Pub. Absolutely the best chowder on the planet!
Lastly, for me the West Coast outshines the remainder of the island as far as hiking and beauty. A car is the only real way to experience it but that's just my humble opinion. Dingle, Gap of Dunloe, Slea Head, Killarney National Park.
Enjoy yourselves.