Ireland - Early March 8 days

I took an escorted tour of Ireland (Dublin-Galway-Derry-Giants Causway-Belfast-Dublin) in March of 2019 and loved the weather then. It was cool and crisp and the skies were a beautiful blue. The daffodils were out in force and it was lambing season, oh my the little lambs were so cute. We only had a downpour one day. I had a puffer-style down jacket, a rain jacket I could wear over it, hat, gloves, wool socks and my waterproof walking shoes and was comfortable the whole trip. I can’t help as much with itinerary as this was an escorted trip but two nights in Dublin would probably be enough for an 8-day trip. My favorites in Dublin were the goal (book in advance) and the archaeology museum (free). The Boyne Valley, just north of Dublin, is also worth a days exploration (Trim Castle, Newgrange, Hill of Tara, Monasterboice and more). We spent two nights in Belfast (loved it) but with a day trip I would prioritize a Black Taxi tour that will take you to see the murals and really give you an understanding of the Troubles. Ireland is a great country to visit, I’ve been three times so far (a week each time) and could go back for more. Enjoy your trip!

Sboh had some good suggestions but I'd say Dublin is worth more than two days. If you stick to "surrounding areas" and don't try to shoehorn the west coast into this short trip, you could spend most of your time in Dublin with day trips to Newgrange (try this tour) and Glendalough. I haven't been to Glendalough or the Wicklow Mountains but there are probably ways to get there on a tour, or certainly by rental car, maybe with an overnight.

Belfast is a couple of hours from Dublin by Aircoach, an express bus service that takes about 2.5 hours from city center to center. That's a lot of travel time for a day trip. Since Aircoach stops at Dublin Airport, north of the city, you might consider going straight to Belfast when you land, spending your first night and most of the next day there, and going back to Dublin the next afternoon or evening.

Thank you sboh and Dick for your replies and helpful info. You answered my question about weather concerns. Cool and Crisp sounds like the perfect weather. I didn't realize there were so many other activities other than the usual tourist attractions. We originally planned on 3 or 4 days in Dublin. We would definitely be interested in exploring the Boyne Valley area and the other activities noted. As far as day trip to Belfast, I thought it would be an easy day trip. Sounds like we should consider 2 days in Belfast and maybe eliminate the west coast (and consider for the next trip). I also like the suggestion of days trips to Newgrange and Glendalough. Our preference is to avoid having to rent a vehicle if possible. We've checked into some of the tour companies. There appears to be no shortage of tour companies. Thanks again!

Another vote for a day trip to Newgrange - Mary Gibbons get consistently good comments on here.

Several companies do day trips to Glendalough and Powerscourt House and Gardens. That would make a lovely second trip.
This company is recommended on the Powerscourt website and gets consistently good reviews on Trip advisor. There will be other companies too.

I would split the time between either Dublin/Galway or Dublin/Belfast. I spent four nights in each place, and there is plenty to see and do in each location. Both Galway and Belfast are short train rides from Dublin. You wouldn’t need to rent a car as there are plenty of guided day trips from each city that will get you to the main attractions, though some may not be up and running in early March. I was there in April and had no trouble finding day trips to the places I wanted to see. From Galway you could do day trips to Cliffs of Moher/Burren, Connemara/Kylemore Abbey, and Aran Islands. From Belfast you could do a day trip to Giant’s Causeway, then in the city do a tour of the political murals, the castle, city hall, Titanic museum. Dublin deserves more than a couple days to see Kilmainham Jail, Book of Kells, day trip to Newgrange/Monasterboice/Hill of Tara, natural history museum, and to just wander Temple Bar and Grafton Street. Other day trips could take you to Glendalough and even further south to the Rock of Cashel. Kilkenny is just an hour away on the train. If you decide to do Dublin/Belfast then you could fly into one and out of the other to save time backtracking to catch a flight home.

Update - We booked our flights and added an extra day to allow for 3 days in Galway. Not knowing if we will have the opportunity to return again, we want to experience some of the west coast. We have a bucket list of travel destinations. Also decided to rent a car when we arrive in Dublin and then drive directly to Galway. Based on the travel advice from others on the forum we are allowing 5 full days in Dublin. Very much appreciate the info on the tourist areas to avoid mentioned by Nick. RS travel guide makes mention of the Glasnevin cemetery as well. We like to take advantage of the hop on hop off tours. Always gives us a good overview of the city and what to further explore or avoid all together. Kilmainham is on our list along with Newgrange (and cathedrals and museums). We want to visit a whiskey distillery. Any recommendations?

Thanks again to all for the helpful travel info. Happy New Year !

Galway and the surrounding area is lovely and there's plenty to fill the time. If you have chance, try and make a stop at the early Christian site of Clonmacnoise between Dublin and Galway.

Nick, thanks for the suggestions for distilleries. Some of the reviews of the Jameson Distillery mention that the tours are a bit overpriced and put together for tourists. We will be sure to check out the other distillery. I'm also a bit intrigued by the Viking.

Also, thanks wasleys for the suggestion to stop at Clonmacnoise.

Update - We've changed our plans slightly and decided against renting a vehicle when we arrive in Dublin and driving to Galway.

The bus seems to be the easiest mode of transportation from the airport. We prefer a train but the logistics of getting to the Heuston train station vs taking the bus direct from the airport, makes the bus an easier option. Two bus lines - Citilink and Gobus offers transportation services to Galway. Is one bus line preferred over the other? Is it necessary to purchase tickets in advance? Also, we are staying at B&B in Salthill, and they offer day tours to Cliffs of Moher, Connemara/Kylemore Abbey and Aran Islands. Nothing needs to be booked in advance. We will only have time for two of the day tours offered and both will be dependent on the weather. Our first choice in Aran Islands but hesitant about the weather in early March. Is Aran Island worth a visit in March if the weather is less than perfect? What we've read is that it is a must see in summer and fall season. The same for Cliffs of Moher.

We will be in the Galway/Salthill area for 3 days. Any suggestions for other must-see sights are appreciated.

Thanks.

First, you made a wise decision to forgo the experience of dragging yourself off a plane, sleep-deprived, completely exhausted and jetlagged, then jumping in a car to speed off on the wrong side of a road in a foreign country (what could possibly go wrong?). Yes, take the bus to Galway, it's perfectly comfy (you may catch some Zs) and the right choice. I don't recall which company we used, I suspect it won't matter much. It could not be easier. Exit the terminal, follow the signs to the bus, walk a few steps (it's not far), find the right bus (easy, good signage), pay the driver for a ticket, get on bus, settle in, bus rolls out soon enough. Few travel experiences are less demanding.

I'd question the (very short) length of your trip (there's so much awesome to see and do, you will wish you had more days), but that's your choice.

Torn between the Cliffs of Moher versus the Aran Islands? Good news - if you go to Inis Mor and do a little walking, there's no need to go to the cliffs of Moher. Read this old thread:

Separate day trips to the Cliffs & Islands?

Now, time spent on Inis Mor may not be terribly enjoyable in a driving rain storm (you'll be out in that rain most of the time you're not huddling in the pub), so if it's stormy you might prefer a long bus ride to the CoM as you watch the rain pelt the bus windows (you'll be out in it for only a few minutes). If it's not raining, I'd skip the famous cliffs and go spend a night (two if you can manage it) on Inis Mor.

If the weather is good, I'd ditch everything else, head out to Inis Mor and spend a night or two (if you go, take the plane, not the ferry: outbound, take the first flight of the day, when returning take the last flight of the day...this "buys" you more time on the island. The plane is cheap, tiny, and utterly thrilling...they make the hop to Inis More at "treetop" level, it's a hoot).

If it's raining hard, you will probably want to be inside (a bus, a warm pub, something, anything) so maybe stick to the mainland if you are not lucky with the weather. That (the weather) is part of the bargain you make when visiting this very green, very moist place in early March. Hope for clear skies, prepare for something less, keep your fingers crossed and remember all those old saws about "the luck of the Irish."

David, you are a wealth of helpful information! We ditched the car idea after reading some other posts on the forum. We know our limitations and lack the experience driving on the opposite of the road. Thanks for the detailed info on finding our way to the buses. Letting someone else to the driving and catching some sleep to our next destination is definitely the way to go.

Your prior thread about the CofM versus Inis Mor answered all we needed to know about the decision between the two. We love traveling and seeing major sights or attractions, but we don't like touristy places. Visiting Aran Islands was our first choice so as long as the weather cooperates, we are going to spend the day on Inis Mor. The landscape and Cliff on Inis Mor sound more appealing than the CofM. I wish we could spend the night and dedicate more time to the island, but we have a limited amount of time and meeting up with family in Dublin on Thursday. First thought was to take the ferry but after reading your post, I think taking a short plane ride might work out better. I'm not fond of small planes but I'll try anything once. It will also give us a little more time on the island.

Thanks again for all your recommendations!

Beth

We were in Dublin in 2018 and really enjoyed the Teeling Distillery
https://teelingdistillery.com/tasting-tours/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAz9ieBhCIARIsACB0oGLz8yHAwPbEAfG6bfuAQMLXKEVmqRt-8rPozZca3_bxXJ9EGyDVNF0aAvGNEALw_wcB

We are finalizing our Dublin itinerary and can’t decide between Newgrange or Howth for the day. We enjoy hiking and the trails above the cliffs on the pennisula in Howth sound appealing. On the other hand, the history of Newgrange and the exhibits are also interesting and worth visiting. We won’t have time to do both. We leave in a week so the weather will play a factor in whatever decision we choose. Does anyone have any thoughts about either destinations?

Thanks.

Although the walks around Howth has some fantastic scenery, if you are seeing Cliffs of Moher then definitely do Newgrange. They predate the pyramids and you won't see something like that and be able to go inside in many other places. Once you have seen some cliffs to me there is no need to see more when you have a chance to see something so unique.

Was just in Dublin last March for 4 days. Going again in August. Dublin is a very cool city. Not too large, easy airport, easy to get around (though public transport not as clear as London), very walkable. A couple highlights I recommend: Phoenix Park (I think largest in europe...white house replica, see where the pope held mass, feed remnants of royal deer herd by hand, zoo, etc). Guinness Storehouse (I disagree with a comment from above. If you like beer, you need to go...how many times do you get to Dublin and yes Guinness tastes better there than here. The upstairs bar has best views in Dublin...go). Teeling Whiskey (awesome tour and very good local whiskey. if you want a very personable experience go here and hang out at the bar after tour talking to the bar tenders). National Gallery (stumbled into this free entry gallery and was blown away...a total gem). Trinity College Book of Kells (historical). Any local pub (outside of Temple bar) at night. The 3 I went to all had jam sessions of traditional music...very enjoyable. Enjoy!

Gail - you make a very good point about the cliff walk in Howth, if we are also going to Cliffs of Moher. We are starting our trip in Galway and also plan on going to Aran Islands (weather permitting). May not need another cliff walk and view of the sea. Thanks.

Gregorygarcia - Appreciate your feedback on the highlights that you experienced. We did not have Phoenix Park on our list of things to do in Dublin. It now has been added! I read other reviews about the Guinness Storehouse as well. We are going for the beer and the view on the 7th floor. We've been told that the tours are very touristy and not worth the time. Teeling whiskey was on our list so I'm glad that you mentioned it. Also on the list is Trinity College/Book of Kells. We are staying in the St. Stephens Green area and from what I can tell, everything is in walking distance. We are meeting family in Dublin and someone suggested to them The Brazen Head Pub for live entertainment. I believe it is in the Temple Bar area. We may seek out other pubs the day before we meet up with them.

Thanks all for the feedback!

I can’t comment on Newgrange v. Howth as I’ve not been to Howth but wanted to mention that the tour at Guinness is not really a tour, you walk through at your own pace to view the exhibits. My son wanted to go because he had made beer a few times and we ended up having the best Irish stew (made with Guinness of course) and brown bread at one of their restaurants, it was called “1837”. There are actually several places to eat in the facility so if you’re there at mealtime you may want to consider that. After, we went up to the 7th floor and since it was just before St. Patrick’s Day we got to see the greening of Dublin (municipal buildings lit up in green). I know you’re going in March so maybe they will be lit up then too?
Also, I had the best Irish coffee I’ve had in my three trips to Ireland at the Brazen Head. Highly recommend a stop there! Enjoy you trip!

Thanks sboh for additional info about Guinness Storehouse and The Brazen Head Irish coffee. All good to know. Sounds like no matter what we decide to visit or do, we won’t be disappointed.

Thanks