We are four adults traveling in May for 2 weeks. We will fly into Dublin and plan to take the bus to Galway and send 3 night. While there visit Aran Islands & Doolin. Then rent a car and head to Dingle 3 nights then to Kenmar, Kilkenny and back to Dublin for 3 nights. Should we take our time and see more of southern Ireland or try and fit in Northern Ireland, I would like to see the Giants Causeway and Belfast but not sure if it will make to trip too rushed.
Posted by
Lincolnshire, UK
2828 posts
You could take a bus tour from DublIn to Giant's causeway which gives you an hour in Belfast.... BUT this would be a long day as just travelling from Dublin to the Giant's causeway is going to take 3.5 to 4 hours each way.
Only you can decide if this is worth it.
Ireland is a place to slow down rather than rush and try and cram everythi ng ion. With Galway, Dingle and Kenmare/Killarney you have chance to see some of the best of Ireland
Posted by
Chicago
3940 posts
I took this day tour in May and it was fabulous!!!
https://wildrovertours.com/activity/giants-causeway-belfast-city/
Here’s what I said about it in my trip report:
This was a late addition because I just wasn’t sure about the driving
time. It is a long day, departing at 7am and returning at 8pm. But
wow, am I glad I took this tour. Northern Ireland is beautiful!!!! I’m
so glad I didn’t miss it. It did not seem long at all.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/solo-in-ireland-may-2025-my-trip-report
I highly recommend this tour if you get the chance.
Posted by
OP
South FL
16 posts
Wasley and Carrie - thank you for the replies! I agree Ireland is a good place to slow down. I like the suggested tour, if we go to Belfast we'll do it at the end of the trip, depending on how we feel. Thanks!
Posted by
Arizona
615 posts
KC, I went on a different tour from Wild Rover Tours and was very pleased with it. I would definitely consider using them again if I ever return to Ireland.
Posted by
Mountains of S. Oregon
1031 posts
IMHO, fitting in Belfast is too much for a trip to the far West. We delayed Belfast until our third trip, and three nights still left things we missed. The Botanic Gardens, Ulster Museum, Crumlin, Titanic, Mourne Seafood, and the great trad music sessions are all among our favs. We didn't have time for a Black Cab, but we did walk from CS Lewis park to Crumlin, which was like an on-foot version. Giant's Causeway, Dunluce Castle, and maybe Rathlin Island need even another day. Many people enjoy the Carrick-a-Rede bridge, but we don't see a reason to visit things that are marginally "Irish".
We've made five trips for a total of 14 weeks and our bucket list still fills the page.
I might suggest two nights in Galway, then a ferry to an InishMor for the third night, then on to Doolin for night four, shortening the drive to Dingle. You could rent a car earlier, and drive the Sky Road, and visit Clifden Castle, Gallarous Oratory and Ross Errily while in Galway. If you added a third Galway night, you could see Connemara (or Cong?). There really isn't that much to see in Galway City after a few hours of walking, except the nightlife.
Ireland (and NI) have a lot of things to see. Luckily, the entire island is breathtaking and you can't really go wrong.
Posted by
RIchmond, BC,Canada
1111 posts
The best way would be to fly into Dublin, reverse the order of the places you already plan to visit, then take the train from Galway to Belfast, and fly home from there. But, if you already have your flights, then your best option is as, others have suggested, to look for a day trip from Dublin, or simply take the train from Dublin to Belfast and spend the day there.