I can really use some advice. I'm planning a month long solo tour of Ireland beginning and ending in Dublin. I'm planning a clockwise route. Renting a car is not an option (never learned to drive). So far my plan has gotten me to Dingle where I'll stay 3 nights. That leaves me with 14 days and nights remaining before returning to Dublin. I like to book my rooms as far in advance as possible so I'm trying to sort out what towns to stay in and how many nights in each. Galway, Westport, Portrush and Belfast are all on my list but I'm wondering if I need to stop in places in between considering the fact that I have to use public transportation. So...how would you spend those 14 days between Dingle and Dublin? This is my first trip to Ireland. Thanks.
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8880 posts
I traveled the Northern part of your route by public transport. I can share about that.
From Galway- easy to get to the Aran Islands. Shuttle bus to the ferry and then ferry to the islands
From Galway- took a bus/ day cruise to Ashford Castle for a day trip and school of Falconry. Complicated but proud we did what others said couldn’t be done. It was the highlight of the trip for my sister.
From Galway to Westport. We took the bus there and left by train. Bus has the advantage of letting off in the city center, we could walk to the hotel. Train station far enough off that we took a taxi there.
From Galway to Derry- took a long bus ride, about 5 hours. We did get to see the city centers of some interesting towns. I might be tempted to break this up with a stop in Sligo if I did it again.
Derry on- excellent network of buses and trains in Northern Ireland. Very easy to travel along Causeway Coast. We took the bus most of the time and then the train to Belfast/Dublin.
Have a great trip.
Posted by
OP
San Francisco, California, USA
162 posts
Thanks very much. I might look into Sligo or Donegal as a stop on the way up. 5 hours on a bus doesn't sound like fun. So far... Dubin, Kilkenny, Cashel, Kinsale, Killarney, Dingle... have been able to keep the bus rides not too long. After Dingle it gets tricky. Sounds like it gets better past Derry. That's very useful info. And thanks for that website... will check. -- Don