Flying to Ireland for the first time with my 2 sons (22 & 18) in August. Haven't started planning an itinerary yet, but were wondering the best airport to fly into. From there, any other recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Tx !!!
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
7354 posts
For our June 2011 trip, we were just visiting the western part of Ireland (by bicycle), so we flew in to the Shannon Airport. Very convenient to reach Galway by bus from there, and from Galway we took off by bike. For the Republic of Ireland, your other options would be Dublin (east) or Cork (south). For Northern Ireland, it would be Belfast International.
Shannon is compact, so after deplaning, customs and baggage claim took just a very few minutes, and we were out of there. On the return, Security wouldn't let me carry on my bike wrench set ("tools" are a prohibited item, it turns out, although they hadn't been a problem coming over), and I was able to scramble, get a small box from a candy store in the terminal, pack my wrenches in it, and check the box and still make the flight. A bigger airport might have prevented me from getting my wrenches checked in time, so I recommend Shannon for its compactness! Have a great trip.
Posted by
Land of La
8660 posts
What are you planing to see in Ireland? Are you going to Northern Ireland? Do you intend to rent a car? public transport is tedious in Eire.
West coast of Ireland is stunning. Shannon is the closest airport. For Dublin and Belfast fly into Dublin's airport.
Depending on your itinerary you could fly into one and out of the other. Check fares.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9363 posts
If you are renting a car, Shannon is easier. It is a small airport out in the country. Dublin airport is on a very busy street with multiple lanes of traffic.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Couple good responses already. Many thanks. I guess in the what to see department, what do you think would most interest an 18 and 22 year old?
Keep the replies coming ...
Posted by
Massachusetts
398 posts
We flew into Dublin and home through Shannon. This could be a good option if you want to see more of the island. You could obviously do the opposite itinerary too.
Dingle was my favorite part of our Ireland vacation, can't recommend it enough. Dublin is great too, and there would be lots there for your children to do, museums, pubs, etc. Honestly, it's very difficult for a stranger to make recommendations for you. What kinds of things do you and your sons enjoy?
Posted by
TN, USA
2114 posts
If your sons like nature/animals, check out the Hawk Walk experience at Ashford Castle (which is in the Connemera region, north of Galway. Connemera is a beautiful drive. If you Google 'Ashford Castle Hawk Walk' or 'School of Falconry Ashford Castle,' you'll find lots of YouTube postings to watch.
Each person gets a hawk, and each person learns to launch and land a hawk, after learning a bit about how the animals think, feed, live, etc. Truly fascinating experience.
Ashford Castle is lovely, and if you don't stay there, you can also just enjoy lunch there and see the castle, etc.
Dromoland Castle, which is closer to the Shannon Airport, also offers a Hawk Walk experience, but I think the Ashford one is a bit better. Dromoland is lovely, but Ashford (the original home of the Guiness family) is more 'castle-like.'
The Cliffs of Moher might also interest the teens, especially if you also take a boat out and look at them from the sea. They are in Doolin, which also has a few pubs that might be of interest to your sons, just to experience some Irish music and other pub traditions :)
If they are into history, the Rock of Cashel (southeast of Shannon) is interesting and lovely, too.
What lucky sons you have!! At that age, I had not yet flown in an airplane!!! (But, I've since made up for lost time.)
Posted by
TN, USA
2114 posts
Another advantage of flying home from Shannon, is that you clear customs in Shannon before boarding, which saves time (usually at large airports with long lines) when you return to the US (assuming you are from the US).
Shannon is one of the few internation airports where that arrangement is in place w/ the US.
Posted by
Downingtown, USA
2364 posts
Since I assume you will be driving as the boys are probably too young to drive a rental car, Shannon is the easiest one to start your trip. You clear customs coming home from either Dublin or Shannon, not just Shannon.
Posted by
Land of La
8660 posts
As far as what to see for the boys what are their interests. Do they know anything about Ireland or N. Ireland? Are they into Hiking? Photography? Castles? History? Archeology? The Titanic? Rugby? Game of Thrones? All of those interests can be addressed on the island. Share a little bit about what you'd like to see.