Our flight is arriving at 8:45 am into Dublin. We plan to take the Green bus to Red Cow and transfer to the bus to Ennis. My question is how much time do we need for immigration processing and luggage collection? And is there a better or more efficient way to travel to Ennis? (Not interested in renting a car...says hubby.) many thanks!
Posted by
The Heartland USA
8965 posts
Shannon airport is a lot closer.
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8879 posts
The OP has already selected flights. That is not the question. Time for immigration and luggage varies depending on the number of flights arriving at the same time. Also, be aware your flight could also arrive late. If everything goes “right”, I would leave 1.5 hours between your arrival time and leaving on the bus.
Posted by
OP
19 posts
thanks for the info. yes, we chose Dublin over Shannon because we have a direct flight without risk of further delays or lost luggage. In my mind that is easier!
Posted by
Atlanta
2510 posts
Are you signed up for the Heart of Ireland tour? I did this in 2017 and loved every minute. My only regret is I didn’t take the 14 Days Best of Ireland tour which also covers Northern Ireland!
Ennis is a charming small town.
Posted by
OP
19 posts
Judy, yes we are! I wanted to do the 14 day but the hubby did not. So I've conned him into 6 more days in England. Now I am wondering why??! Any tips for our extra day in Ennis? The Burren, or Bunratty Castle? or something else?
Posted by
franktown, colorado
2252 posts
Hi Galivant gal. I took this tour with my granddaughters last summer. We flew into Shannon, easily pre-booked a car thru the first tour hotel to collect us (bus is easy but…..) at the airport and deliver us directly to the first hotel. We flew home (Denver) from Dublin through Newark. . I was thrilled to go thought immigration and customs at the Dublin airport rather than at our connecting airport, Newark! Yes, so efficient and easy. There wasn’t any line at all last July but more folks are flying so allow extra time. This was a fun tour and who doesn’t love Ireland?
Edit: Sorry! I didn't read all the way through and didn’t realize you were already locked into RT Dublin.
Posted by
22 posts
I suggest that you see the Burren. It is a wild and beautiful place. We used James R. from Tours By Locals. He was very knowledgeable and drove us all over the countryside, stopping and explaining the different sites we were seeing.
Posted by
Atlanta
2510 posts
Thanks dconnolly for answering her question regarding the Burren. I looked up Bunratty Castle and it looks interesting. We did not have extra time because we arrived at Shannon airport on the morning of the tour beginning day.
I don’t still have my Ireland guidebook so I can’t give definitive answers. The falconry tour on the 14 Day Best of Ireland tour might be fascinating! I would read Rick’s Travel articles found here: https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen.
In your free time in Dublin, you will have time to visit the Guinness Storehouse; it is fun and, even more rewarding, you can have a Guinness in the Gravity Bar on the top level with 360 degree views of the city!
We had 2 days on our own after the tour ended in Dublin and went to the historic Kilmainham Gaol, the National Gallery of Art and the Dublin Writers Museum. We flew to London for 5 days and had our fill of theatre, museums and concerts.
Enjoy your time in Ireland and England!
Posted by
Lincolnshire, UK
2282 posts
The Burren is all about scenery - bare limestone, vivid green grass, wild flowers, stunning coastline (especially the stretch from Doolin to Kinvarra) .
If visiting Bunratty Castle, don't miss the Folk Park which is a bucolic step back into the past.
They are two very different experiences but both enjoyable. It just vdepends what you prefer.