Dublin Yes or No

The smaller towns are more charming, and more people's favorites, but the bigger cities increase your variety of experience and have several sites of importance or interest. After you read those chapters, you probably will identify something that makes you say, "yes, I want to see that." After reading the whole book, you may want to see everything, but can't do so in two weeks, so then you're back to your question. Nobody will fault you for choosing only what you most want to see. You need not fly into Dublin if Shannon or Cork airport (etc) makes a more convenient starting point.

The smaller towns are nice and charming and you'll not hear me say a bad word about them. But, Dublin and Belfast are, imo, both worth at least a couple of days.

As Laura points out, the big cities have a variety of experience that is valuable-and they give context to the rest of Ireland. Dublin is certainly worth two days even if the goal was to spend as much time as possible in the little towns. Touring the Kilmainham Gaol and hearing some of the story, the museums, St. Stephens Green and lots more are very worthwhile in Dublin. We took a day trip to Belfast and we loved it, we'd really like to spend more time there. Note that you won't want or need a car in Dublin, public transport is very good.

Build in enough drive time-Ireland roads, other than M (freeway) roads, can be slow going. Take your time and try not to drive right past great stuff on the way to great stuff.

I spent four days in both, Dublin at the start, and Belfast at the end, and managed to keep myself busy. But, I didn't have a car so did some guided day trips from both towns. I would say give at least two days to both. My favourite town was Galway.

We were glad we spent two days in Dublin before visiting various areas of Ireland, both south and north, over the next two weeks. Visiting Kilmainham Gaol, the National Museum, O'Connell Street helped to provide the history to appreciate the country as a whole better. The Book of Kells was interesting. We always enjoy spending some time on the pedestrian walkways of European capitals and Grafton Street was entertaining. We were only able to spend part of a day in Belfast, but did find a drive through the Catholic and Protestant neighborhoods, seeing the graffiti walls, and visiting the City Hall to be interesting and again provided more history.

Thank you for your input-have decided on Dublin 2 days and will think about 3 for Belfast as we have friends there.