This forum has been very helpful in the past, so looking again for your great advice. Looking for the must-see spots of Ireland. A little about us:
* Family of 3 - husband, 18 year old son and me.
* Late March/Early April 2017 (Friday-Saturday most likely).
* Have done 2 previous Europe trips - London/Paris in 2014 and Italy in 2015. Thus far, have relied mostly on public transport. Have never rented a car as I am admittedly a little intimidated to do so. From London to Paris, we took Eurostar. In Italy, we took public busses from Florence to Sienna and then Sienna to Rome. (Don't like to "waste" a whole day in midst of trip in another airport.)
* Stay in boutique hotels/ B&Bs (found in Rick's books and/or on TripAdvisor).
* We like to just soak up new cultures/atmosphere. Have seen a TON of museums in our previous European adventures. Limited time in big city. Not opposed to day-trip tours (did bus tour to Cotswolds in England; vintage Fiat tour of Tuscany in Italy).
* Not super outdoorsy types, but mild walks/hikes OK.
Ideas?
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16894 posts
How long do you have for this trip? Is it just a week?
The new edition of Rick's Ireland book is expected in stores in December.
Ireland has lots of smaller town and rural sights of interest, but relatively few trains lines running out from Dublin to other cities, such as Belfast, Galway, and Cork. Buses take up where trains leave off; see http://www.buseireann.ie/. If your trip is short and you're not interested in Dublin, you might reduce some bus travel distance by flying into Shannon airport.
Posted by
1172 posts
After looking at different transportation options, we decided on renting a car and were so happy we did.
Assuming you are landing on Friday morning and flying back out on the following Saturday, that would give you 8 nights. With that amount of time, I would look at flying in to Dublin and out of Shannon or vice versa.
I would do 2 nights in Dublin, 2 nights in Killarney 2 nights in Dingle 1 in Galway and then 1 near Shannon so you are close to the airport to head back home.
Posted by
72 posts
If you are flying in or out of Shannon - spend some time in Ennis. We had our best music, craic and pub nights in all of Ireland there.
We rented a car and I did all the driving for my mom and I. We explored the entire west coast as north as Westport and as south as Baltimore.
Highlights of the trip were Roundstone and Connemara. The Burren, Lahinch, Dingle and Kenmare. I wish we had had more time to head east from Baltimore.
On Rick's advice we spent time in Kenmare versus Killarney and we were so glad. Killarney was a bit too touristy for our tastes but I know others love it.
You will have a great time. Ireland is a fantastic place to explore.
Posted by
OP
Ohio, USA
41 posts
Thanks to all for your tips thus far. As luck would have it, last week at a business conference, I was seated next to officials from Tourism Ireland and Shannon College. Based on their feedback, I think we IDEALLY will fly in and out of Shannon and make our way along the Wild Atlantic Way (West coast). Any tips in this area of places to stay? We don't like chains, but rather small B&Bs/residences (en suite bath). We will arrive on Friday or Saturday and leave the following Saturday, so not including flight days, we will have 7-8 days to explore. Renting a car seems the way to go.