Ireland for two woman

singer102-we stayed in a B & B on Drumcondra Road Upper called Tinode House. It was perfect, away from the city center just a bit (5 minute bus ride) and a host that truly made a difference for us. We found it an excellent way to break in to Europe, it was our first stop and we were there four nights. Having a resident nearby for pointers was invaluable. We paid 75 euro per night for two of us, with a full Irish breakfast served each morning, there's just three or four rooms. It's in a beautiful neighborhood, and numerous bus lines are within a half blocks walk. PJ at Tinode House is an expert on how to use the buses.
I think that if you can manage to be there just before or just after the heart of summer you'll have a little less in terms of crowds.
You don't need or want a car in Dublin, but it is the way to get around once you leave the city. Read up on it-you're driving on the left, sitting on the right, I recommend an automatic transmission and also that you buy the insurance deductible down to zero when you rent. Ireland is hard on cars.
Do not miss Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin, the Natural History and Archeological Museums are incredible too. Take a day trip to Belfast, Northern Ireland (train is great for this) and take a Black Taxi Tour of some of the Troubles areas-you'll get a fascinating perspective from the driver.
Have a great trip!

http://www.tinodehouse.com
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g186605-d263269-Reviews-Tinode_House-Dublin_County_Dublin.html

Our family stayed at the Waterloo Lodge (www.waterloolodge.com). The rooms were nice, The breakfast was hearty and the hotel staff was very helpful with the goings on in Dublin. There is also a bus stop right outside the front door and can have you at St Stevens's Green in about 5 minutes. You won't need a car in Dublin. If you do rent get as small of one as possible. Petrol is expensive and the roads are narrow.

Compared to other countries, Ireland is actually pretty safe. I can't think of an area in Dublin that would be okay for two friends traveling together. You can find a full list of recommended hotels and hotels in Rick's Ireland guidebook. For the time of year, typically summer and early fall are the best for weather, but even that is a big question mark. Weather in Ireland is unpredictable even in the summer so just be prepared and pack for rain and sun.

As for transportation, (assuming you are referring to the Dingle Peninsula) you don't need to rent a car but in some cases it is more handy, especially for getting to out of the way places. You can take a train from Dublin to Tralee, then it will be buses the rest of the way into the Dingle Peninsula. The train from Dublin to Tralee takes about 4 hours with a change in Mallow. You can get tickets on www.irishrail.ie. I hope this helps some.

I think Abe did not mean what he said about no place in Dublin that would be safe. I think he probably meant no place that would not be safe. Hopefully he will clarify.. Of course like in any place, don't be out and about late at night or early am after having too much to drink, just like any place in the world. I found having rental car is best for seeing the west coast as it gives so much flexibility but you certainly don't need it in Dublin. Enjoy.

I have to agree that the statement that there is not any area that would seem unsafe in Ireland for women traveling together. Dublin is a big city and there are some slightly sketchier parts like in any big city, but I wandered the city pretty extensively with my wife and there was never a time I had concern about where we ended up. And rural Ireland was as personable and welcoming as advertised.
If you're looking for specific recommendations get the RS book and trust his judgement. He's very good at hinting about areas where you might feel more or less safe depending on your frame of reference. The worst we've ever done with an RS recommendation on a place to stay is "fine" and the best have been amazing. Also having restaurant recommendations when you've just showed up in town and have no frame of reference is really helpful.

The consensus view is that renting a car is the best way to really see the rural parts of the country. The biggest problem is that the trains really run on a hub and spoke system so getting somewhere from Dublin can be easy but getting around the outlying areas once your there is a challenge and you would definitely have to rely on busses to connect areas. The added time and complication usually pushes people to rent cars instead. If you have plenty of time and really want to avoid driving than you'll need to plan for that. And renting a car can be expensive so if you have time it might balance out budget/time-wise. If you rent a car don't get it until you're done with Dublin - the easiest way is to bus back to airport and rent the car there - and budget on buying the full extra insurance.

Have a great trip,
=Tod

Singer102.
Your in your 20s and traveling in Ireland, don't stay at the B&Bs or at the Hotels, it's often a older group of people staying at these places. I would say stay at the Hostels. Kinlay House in Dublin is great, Avalon House in Dublin is even better. You can get private doubles or even if you want to meet people you can try a four person room. Hostels are very safe and you can rent cages for your stuff. But it's the people you meet there that will make it really fun to get out there and really see Ireland. A great website is www.hostelworld.com the reviews are right on. As for renting a car over taking the rail. Rent a car, the rail doesn't take you to all the places, even buses get you to limited areas. I rented a small car and drove all over the island by myself for 45 days the first round and I was in my late 20s at the time. The most amazing people I meet along the way were through the hostels that I stayed in. They became my family in every town that I stayed in.

I'd recommend June, July or August. Doesn't get that hot in Ireland, and in the summer it stays light out until about 9:30-10:00PM giving you more time to check out the scenery if you are driving around the west or the Peninsula (Dingle or Beara - which one are you interested in?).

In Dublin if you go during July or August, Trinity College (where the Book of Kells is housed) offers lodging to tourists in their dorms. It's the most central you can possibly get for Dublin with just about everything you would want to see within walking distance. You are right next to Grafton Street, a few minutes from St. Stephen's Green & Merrion Square, about 5 minutes walking to Temple Bar.

I agree with trying to stay in hostels if you do have an interest in meeting other travelers your age. B&Bs and budget hotels might be comparable in price to a private 2 bed ensuite hostel room, but you will have access to a kitchen and coin-op laundry facilities which are things you won't have in a hotel or B&B. Read reviews carefully on Hostelworld.com and TripAdvisor. Rick will have a few hostels listed in his Ireland guide, but also check the lodging section in other guides like Lonely Planet or Rough Guide for their picks.

I'd skip Cork. Galway is a small city driven by the University, so you will find plenty of people there in their early 20s and good nightlife. It's an easy train ride between Dublin and Galway. Galway is also a good hub to take day tours from (Cliffs of Moher, Connemara, the Burren) if you decide not to rent a car until you are ready to head for the Peninsula. You can also get to the Aran Islands from Galway by catching a bus to Rossaveal which is a far more reliable port for ferry service to the Islands compared with Doolin where ferry service can be cancelled even on a sunny day if the seas are too rough. If you can manage an overnight on the Aran Islands, it's pretty worthwhile to be there after the last ferry of the day departs. There is a hostel and the main island has several pubs.