Hi we are arriving in Dublin September 18 2018 and picking up a car and staying in Trim our first night. We are in Ireland until October 11. We are thinking of heading north after staying in Trim and seeing the Boyne valley, Newgrange etc and then heading to Belfast and basically travelling around Ireland and finishing up in Dublin. This is the opposite route than what is advised in Rick Steves travel guide on Ireland. Would you recommend going North first around Ireland or is there a specific reason you recommend travelling in the opposite direction?
Posted by
RIchmond, BC,Canada
933 posts
The only thing that matters if you do the trip this way is that Northern Ireland uses a different currency (GBP) than the Republic of Ireland (Euro). Since you are starting in Dublin you will need euros so it may make more sense to do the route the other way so you don’t have to change currency right away. Otherwise, I don’t think it really matters, but if you don’t have your accommodations set yet that may make a difference as to which way you go first as it may still be high season in some places at that time in September and it may be difficult to find a room.
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7161 posts
It’s a personal choice. When we went, we stopped in Trim to see the castle, then continued north to Crawfordsburn where spent out first night. We then did the Antrim coast (Carrickfregus castle, Carrick-a-rede bridge, Giant’s causway, Old Bushmills distillery, and Dunluce castle) spending a night in Portrush. We then headed south, skipping Derry because of a bombing, and heading into the Republic of Ireland. Since we always have Euros and Pounds for trips, currency wasn’t something we were concerned with. Our trip was the first 2 weeks in October 2010 and other than the first and last nights, we had no reservations. Other than Galway when we arrived later than when most people stop for the night, we had no problem finding lodging.