My wife and I are taking an impromptu trip to Ireland at the beginning of March. We will have 7 days and I am looking for advice on what would be worth visiting in that time frame. The plan would be to spend 3 nights in Dublin, then visit the west and end the trip in Kinsale (probably 2 days). Will be renting a car to make logistics a bit more manageable, but would like some thoughts on what might be worth filling the middle of the trip. My wife says that she would like to visit Galway, but I am concerned that we will be rushed if we try to hit the sites around Galway then maybe pass through the Ring of Kerry on the way to Kinsale. Cultural and historic sites are a priority, but would like to at least experience the landscape on the drive! Any thoughts are appreciated!
Posted by
the great P-NW
531 posts
I think you'll easily find culture wherever you go in Ireland. When we visited Galway on a RS tour, we saw a streaker in the high street, enjoyed excellent seafood, and loved the pub culture. You only have 7 days - if your wife wants to visit Galway, why not honor that request? She should have an equal vote as to what you do and what is "rushed." You will only scratch the surface in seven days, whatever you do.
Posted by
TX, USA
5935 posts
If you fly home out of Dublin, I might save those nights till the end of your trip to be close for your return. You could take the bus direct to Galway from the airport upon arrival. From Galway, there is a bus to Cork and you could rent a car there for a couple of days before you return to Dublin.
Posted by
OP
SC, USA
3 posts
Aside from how we apportion and count votes in our family... the question is more about logistics (perhaps I could have been clearer). She is ending the trip in Kinsale (meeting up with a group of her friends) while I will travel back to Dublin to fly back. So the bookends of the trip will need to be Dublin and Kinsale. However, the issue is whether Galway would be worth a two night stay, or is it a similar enough experience to Dublin that it will pull from the opportunity to stay in say Killarney where we can take in the Ring of Kerry or something similar.
Posted by
1693 posts
I don't think Galway is anything like Dublin, but I think you are correct that you might feel rushed, as you are trying to cover a lot in a short amount of time. But, I confess the buskers in Galway were pretty amazing!
Posted by
Lincolnshire, UK
2889 posts
Don't forget to allow time to recover from jet lag.
With Dublin and Kinsale as the fixed points, I think you will really be pushing it to include Galway. It's going to take at least four hours to drive betweeen the two PLUS time for any stops. (Distances may not look far on a map compared with USA, but will take a lot longer to cover than you might expect. Ireland is a placve to slow down and enjoy.)
The best bit of County Galway is the scenery... Plan on coming back for another longer visit and spoend more time exploring the west of Ireland.
Posted by
OP
SC, USA
3 posts
Yes the drive times are why I'm a bit concerned about Galway.
Posted by
TX, USA
5935 posts
Ok, that changes things a bit.
I do think you could make a 2 night stop in Galway in between (but again, I am assuming you have 7 nights, not 7 days). What you will NOT have time for is seeing the sights around Galway. And maybe not the Ring of Kerry. I would take a careful look at what specifically she wants to see if not Galway itself.
Then you decide if it’s worth the drive time.