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Bus/train or car to Blarney/Cork

Posted by (Omaha, NE, United States) on

Hi!

My daughter is celebrating her golden birthday on July 10th. We will be in Ireland at the time, so I let her pick the thing she wanted to do that day. It is the Blarney Stone. The majority of our trip will be in Dublin because we don't have a lot of time in the country. Originally, I was planning to rent a car and drive for 2 of the days to Cork and back to Dublin. (Well actually, originally I came up with this really huge busy driving plan but have since decided it was too too much for the time allotted.)

Anyway, if we really are just going to Cork/Blarney and back to Dublin, would we need a car? Could we get by with public transportation?

If a car is the best way, I will go ahead and rent it, but I just realized with the narrowing of the plan we might not need one.

Other items, we will arrive in Dublin at 3.50 pm on July 7 and our friend flies out of Dublin on July 12 at 2.00ish. I have a reservation at a B&B in Blarney for July 10th. Otherwise no real plan.

Thanks for advice.

Posted by
9221 posts

Public transport is tedious in Eire if you have such a short amount of time. Get the rental and drive.

Leave Dublin early, stop at the Rock of Cashel. Overnight in the B n B, early next day see the Castle and the stone then drive back to Dublin stopping in Glendalough. This route should please everyone.

Trust me I lived in Kearney for a couple years while working at Kearney State and as lovely as the vast plains and the Platte can be, if you are only seeing Dublin you are TOTALLY missing Ireland's breathtaking beauty.

Lastly, make the investment and buy the RS book on Ireland. Truly practical guide and as first time visitor it will be VERY helpful to you.

Slainte!

Posted by
49 posts

Thanks! I am not against the rental at all, just wasn't sure.

Also, let's say we left on the 9th instead of the 10th, what would you add that easily goes with this little trip. For example, we could leave Dublin the 9 and return in the am on the 12th. With the reservation on the 10th in Blarney, what would you do to see besides what you already mentioned?

Posted by
2980 posts

I'd go with Claudia's suggestion of Cashel, Glendalough, and the Wicklow Mountains. Check the RS guide for other ideas.
An easy side trip on the way back to Dublin would be Newgrange and Bru Na Boinne just north of the airport - lot's of Irish history in one place, and too many photo ops to list.

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