Dingle and Doolin

Dingle and Doolin. Anyone else think this sounds like an Irish comedy duo? Rivals for Foil Arms and Hog?

Depends on if Dingle and/or Doolin are of interest to you. To me Dingle was good music, good food, great ice cream, a sea adventure and a raptor experience. I’ve only driven thru Doolin.

So, 3 nights Belfast, 3 nights Cork, 3 nights Killarney, 3 nights Galway, 3 nights Dublin? That is 2 1/2 days in eah city. Maybe less since you will be relying on public transportation (I assume bus is ok also?)

First I think I would sketch out what you want to see from each base to see if you have enough time. You will also need to check transportation schedules and play with routes to get the best order.

I don’t think I would cut nights anywhere but if you can add nights, one additional stop might work.

Coming all the way from Tasmania, I'd add as many nights as possible to amortize the cost and discomfort of the flights. If it's part of a larger trip, less necessary.

You don't mention what you like to do - you'l get more useful feedback.

Also, since you're presumably comfortable with driving on the left, I rent a car at some point to free yourself from being tied to available day tours. Renting in Cork and driving the rest of the trip? Or reversing and doing Belfast/Galway(rent)/Killarney/Cork/Dublin. You've probably discovered Belfast to anywhere besides Dublin by rail is a long trip.

A car would make Dingle and Doolin more accessible (not to mention the rest of your itinerary). I'm assuming you'll be arriving from somewhere else in Europe, given the short visit and the choice of airport. I agree with the suggestion to pick up the car in Cork. You can return it in Galway and take the train to Dublin. Another option would be to visit Dublin after Belfast. Then train to Cork, etc., and return the rental car at the (Dublin?) airport before your departure.

Thanks everyone, I realise the best way to see Ireland is with a car, but my husband doesn’t travel well in cars or buses so we’re pretty much sticking to trains even though we’ll miss some things. I think we will make the effort to get to Doolin but maybe not Dingle. On previous trips to Europe I find the 3 days to be the magic number to really enjoy a place so am a bit stuck on that for most stops. Interestingly enough Tasmania is almost exactly the same size as the Republic of Ireland so the distances are quite easy to imagine. 🙂

You cannot reach Dingle and Doolin by train..You would need a bus and it will.Be a long travel day and I don't think it is worth the effort Especially Doolin.

I have not been to Dingle, but I did go to Doolin without a car. I found it very easy and enjoyable. I took a bus from GDalway to Doolin, stayed a couple nights, then took a bus from Doolin to Ennis. In Doolin, I really enjoyed the trad music in the pubs, walking the Cliffs of Mohr, and a day trip ferry to one of the Aran islands. If your husband doesn't hike, you can see the cliffs from a boat ride, or visit them by bus or taxi to the often overcrowded information center observation area. On the Aran Islands, I believe there are horse-drawn buggy and mini van options to look into. There is a shuttle bus for some of the stops and sights in the Doolin area but maybe only in peak season.

Shelley, i'm sure you will love Ireland, especially the people. My opinion is that the very best people are in Ireland and Australia. Most nice, friendly, and fun to talk to. The pubs will be a wonderful experience.

I do think you might consider taking busses as well as trains in Ireland. The busses are good and affordable, and go places the trains don't.

Thanks everyone, particularly for the positive vibe about Ireland! Another question - when looking for international flights which website do you feel is most useful, though I will book directly with the airline once I have made my decision.
Shelley

You can do Western Ireland without a car but not in a worthwhile fashion entirely by train. If your husband can't abide bus-travel then IMO you'll be wasting time and money heading far out West. If I was forced to use only train-travel I'd perhaps visit Cork but for the most part I'd base out of Dublin and Belfast, then arrange day-trip tours of a distance and duration your husband can tolerate. I don't say that lightly either, as were I to ever return to the emerald isle I'd eschew Dublin and Belfast entirely, fly in and out of Shannon, hire a car and spend the entire holiday motoring about the Western coast.