I am planning a 5 day trip to Ireland (excluding travel days) in September with my 13yo son. Due to the time constraint, I am limiting our trip to one of the above areas. I am not a big city fan, but I can see the convenience of staying in Dublin and making a few side trips, golfing, etc. My other option would be flying into Shannon, staying in Doolin (1 day) to see the cliffs and possibly going to Aran islands. From there, we would travel to Dingle for the remaining time with possible visits to Killarney national Park, ring of Kerry, etc.
Departing from Shannon on last day. Am I underestimating Dublin? In your opinion, what is the best use of our time? Thanks
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8331 posts
Dublin is okay. It is an easy city to visit, but if you have to make a choice, I would go for the west coast. I would encourage you to consider an overnight on the Aran Islands. The glamping cabins on Aran Islands might be a perfect fit for a Dad and a 13 year old son. http://www.aranislands.ie/aran-camping-glamping/
We stayed there two nights and rented a bicycle for the full day we were there. It is absolutely fun to ride around the island. Staying overnight means that most of the tourists are gone after a brief mid day crowd. I think you could visit the cliffs on Inishmore and skip the other cliffs and have a better experience.
Another idea for the West Coast is the Ireland School of Falconry at Ashford Castle, Cong. You and your son could share a Hawk Walk where you walk through the woods flying your very own Hawk with a trainer. Very exciting stuff for adults and I imagine a 13 year old would like it as well. www.falconry.ie
If you do decide on Dublin, I thought the Castle was interesting and strongly wished I had skipped the Book of Kells. You could spend a few day in Dublin and then go north to Belfast and the Antrim Coast. These are easily done on public transport and you wouldn't need a car. The Titanic Museum in Belfast is good and the Giants Causeway is quite interesting on the coast. I suggest the Bayview Hotel in Port Ballintrae.
Posted by
Missoula, Montana
508 posts
The West Coast hands down, flying into and out of Shannon. Fabulous scenery, quiet and peaceful, the Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking pockets), lovely small towns, trad music in the pubs, lots of B&B choices, more variety, no city hassles or traffic. Perhaps a night or two in Doolin, one on Inishmore or Inisheer and one or two in Dingle Town.
Here's the link to the Doolin Ferries to the Arans: https://www.doolinferries.com/ which depart from Doolin.
Posted by
NM, USA
888 posts
Depends on whether you want museums, history, etc which Dublin has plenty of or outdoor adventures and scenery which is most of the rest of Ireland. Big city wise Dublin is fairly easy to get around.
Concur with previous comments on Book of Kells ( Chester-Beatty Library is free and much better), the Titanic Museum was excellent and Giants Causeway.. Also in the north they are really capitalizing on the Game of Thrones filming sites. Several tours for that.
Posted by
Colorado Springs
2811 posts
Yep, I agree with Carol and David - devote your limited time to the west coast, and the suggestion to spend a night on one of the Aran Islands is spot on in my opinion.
Save Dublin for another trip.
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
7319 posts
We’ve had 2 Ireland trips, both for 3 weeks. First was into Dublin, bus to Galway (much smaller city), then touring the west coast (Including 2 Aran Islands) down to Dingle, then fly out of Shannon. Don’t know what the golfing options are on the west side, but that’s what I’d recommend for your 5 day choice.
Our second trip, last September, we started again with a bus from the Dublin airport to Galway, then flying to Inishmore - much faster way to get to/from the big Aran Island than the ferry we used the previous time, of then renting a car and driving clockwise, north and around back to Dublin. There are amazing sights and places to the north, but with 5 days, we’d do the western side again over Dublin, no question.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thanks for all the great responses! Puts my mind at ease to stay on the west coast. I like the glamping idea on Aran Islands.
Posted by
WI
349 posts
Another vote for the west coast. We just took our kids (12 and 7) in March, and we all liked Dublin but agreed that on our next return trip we'll spend all our time in the west of Ireland and only go to Dublin if we have to fly through there. We loved Dingle and the area around Killarney National Park (both are amazing!). You'll have a great trip I'm sure!
Posted by
Florida, USA
12172 posts
Dublin isn't the best city I've visited. If anything, I'd rank it pretty low.
I was there in May.
My best advice is to start going north and make Aran Islands (Inishmore out of Rossaveal) the end before Shannon. I'd recommend traveling through the north and northwest (Sligo and Donegal) in a circle. I'd avoid the big name towns in favor of small towns. The big name towns are getting too much traffic. The real charm of Ireland isn't sights, it's meeting locals.