Hello! Going to Ireland for 9 days in July this year and need a bit of travel advice. If you had to choose: 3-4 days in Dingle to see the town and peninsula or 3-4 days in Galway (to use as a base to see Cliffs of Moher, Aran Islands, and Galway city)? One of us is a vegetarian/vegan, we both like walking/hiking, hands-on stuff (i.e. cooking classes, art workshops), cultural activities (live music, performances, drinking, museums), and friendly people for chats. We are starting and ending our trip with a few days in Dublin, so wanting to minimize the number of hotel changes and avoid driving all over the place. We don't feel like we need to see everything on this trip (I assume we'll be back to cover whatever we missed). And, would you go to Belfast for a day trip from Dublin (I understand its 2 hours by train each way, which is not a big deal for us). Thanks in advance for your suggestions!
Posted by
Atlanta, GA, USA
215 posts
Last August, I landed in Dublin and took the CityLink bus straight to Galway and stayed at the best B&B and used it as a home base to explore the Aran Islands, the Cliffs and if you get a clear day, go to the Cliffs regardless of your plans if you can.
Then my second home base was in Dingle and had the very best hiking guide. I flew out of Shannon and if I did this again, I would have flown into Shannon.
My first trip I home based in Dublin and then took the bus around for day trips.
My next trip will be Belfast to see the Titantic Museum, ect and spend quality time in Northern Ireland.
So I spent my time in both Dingle for 3 nights and Galway was 4 nights. If you rent a car to get to Dingle from Galway, then it's doable. I did the bus and it was an adventure but took over 6 hours. Not ideal for you.
Please private message me if you want more details but you won't have trouble finding wonderful vegan food in Galway and in the markets. I am Gluten Free and had no problems other than wanting to enjoy the beers.
The real gems are the Irish themselves!! Enjoy.
Posted by
Edmonds WA
248 posts
I just got back from Ireland last week. We spent 3 days in Dingle and 3 days in Galway. We were not able to visit the Aran Islands while we were in Galway so my perspective is different then others that got to. From what we did in both places I would chose Dingle. We love hiking, there were lots of hikes in the area on the peninsula. I also remember seeing a place for cooking classes that got really good review right down the street from where we stayed (Castlewood House). I loved how friendly and chatty everyone in the restaurants and pubs were there. It was just so quaint, homey and welcoming. The live music was better in Dingle as well. Galway is much more of a city- much bigger then Dingle. I would not go back to Galway but would LOVE to go back to Dingle. As far as Belfast... I would say it depends how much time your allowing yourself in Dublin. We spent 2 days up in Bushmills so toured through Belfast quickly. If its just a day trip you could always decide once your there. If you get bored you could head to Belfast. We went south to the Wicklow Mountains too- did some hiking. You would love that area. Only 30 minutes out of town.
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10600 posts
Based on the things you are looking for, I would choose Dingle.
Posted by
OP
Denver, CO, US
111 posts
Thanks everyone for your input, much appreciated!
Posted by
89 posts
Hi Kathy - Would you mind sharing the B & B name in Galway and Dingle? Also, why would you prefer to fly into Shannon instead of out of Shannon? Where did you fly in? We'll be flying in from London or Edinburgh and thinking of skipping Dublin and just doing the west coast of Ireland - we have only 3-4 days.