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Ireland. First trip

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Planning on going to Ireland for the first time in September. We do not want to drive so plan on taking buses. Flying into Dublin and taking bus to Galway. We are staying four or five nights and doing some tours to cliffs of moher, Aran islands, and Connemara. Then we want to go see the Dingle area, probably for a couple of days. Not sure whether to stay in Killarney and take day tour. Also not sure about bus system from Galway to Killarney. After that we want to go to Cork for three nights and then head to Dublin for three nights before going home. Any recommendations for which tours and where to stay is welcome. Also is this doable using public transportation without too much hassle.

Any help is appreciated.

Posted by
2261 posts

This is always a tough question here, since most everyone encourages renting a car, certainly the best way to see things, but not workable for everyone. Here's a post from a few weeks ago from someone who did it, may be of some help. You could also consider sending a Private Message to the OP for insight.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/just-got-back-from-ireland-for-8-days-traveled-without-a-car

Posted by
4 posts

We're leaving for our first trip the end of May...flying into Dublin then train to Galway (4 days), bus to Dingle (4 days), bus to Kinsale (4 days) then back to Dublin for 2 weeks of work. We did not want to drive either. I've looked at a lot of schedules and it seems ok - I did book the train to Galway (because it's a Sunday and the day Bruce Springsteen is in town) and the last leg back to Dublin. We are packing light ;-) and have the luxury of leaving "professional clothes" in Dublin while we make the loop. Can't wait!

Posted by
16894 posts

The Dingle chapter of Rick's Ireland book specifies that buses from Galway to Dingle town usually run 5x/day, taking 6.5 hours, probably with a connection at Tralee. A connection to Killarney should have similar timing. There are 2.5-hour van tours departing from Dingle town.

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