Best location for day trips

Posted by katsinca (Clemmons, North Carolina) on 09/24/19 06:54 PM

Hi all,
My friend and I may be able to divide our time somewhat between Scotland and Ireland next visit (June 2020). We are hoping to spend 4 nights in Ireland and see a few sights. We were thinking to do city sightseeing and do a day tip or two. We are thinking about Belfast, Dublin or any city really that offers good day trips. Would love input on this. I will check out books and websites too. We have no special preferences as to what we see as that we've never been there, all will be good, though we would love to see a castle
if possible. Any advice or opinion welcome!!!

Thanks!
Kathy

Posted by wayner

stevens point, wi, usa

09/24/19 11:43 PM

1194 posts

Hi from Wisconsin,
I have been to both cities. Belfast has the Green Glens of Antrim to visit. Ideally, you should have a car for that.
Dublin has the Wiclow Mountains and Glendalough to the south, oh and Power's court. To the north there is the River Boyne and the megalithic tombs. Gee you could see the head of Saint Oliver Plunket in Drogheda. he was hung, drawn, and quartered. By the way, this is a VERY serious relic. Approach slowly with respect. Once again, a car would be ideal.

I guess I preferred Dublin because I was in Belfast during the anniversaries of the Battles of the Boyne. And the potential violence made us nervous to visit some neighborhoods. But that was years ago. Really have never spent time in Belfast since 1978.

I am sure there are services, small busses for tourists, that will go to all of these.
wayne iNWI

Posted by katsinca OP

Clemmons, North Carolina

09/25/19 12:29 AM

233 posts

Hi wayner from Wisconsin!!

Thanks for your comments! Some of the ideas and locations sounded good. We definitely don't want to go where there could be a greater chance of violence happening. But as you said that was years ago. Hope things have settled down by now. I will share your comments with my friend. BTW, have you visited the Giants Causeway or The Ring of Kerry (I think that is what it's called)?

Kathy

Posted by Trotter

09/25/19 01:23 AM

1585 posts

1978 was 20 years before the Good Friday Accord. Alot has changed since then. Having said that, I do think Dublin would be a better fit for you. You could take a day trip to Belfast and the Giant's Causeway from Dublin if you so wished. It would be a very long day trip, however, something like 12 hours. Other day trips include Glendalough, Powerscourt, Kilkenny (manor house and medieval town), Newgrange (neolithic passage tomb), Trim (castle and abbey ruins), and Malahide (manor house and town). Another 12 hour day trip is the Cliffs of Moher. The Ring of Kerry is not a day trip. It's a good 4.5 hours from Dublin and the drive around the ring takes a full day. If, however, you flew into Kerry Airport,Cork City Airport or Shannon you could base yourself in the west/southwest and see that area. You might want to get that guidebook and decide which area you want to focus on.

Posted by katsinca OP

Clemmons, North Carolina

09/25/19 01:18 PM

233 posts

Thanks kclyons,

I believe I will be getting the RS book and visiting my local AAA office as well. My friend and I want to see as much as we can in our few days there, but we want also devote sufficient time to do so too!

Thanks for your input! It is appreciated!!!!

Kathy