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Ireland trip in September without a car

Posted by on

Last weekend of August and adding the Labor Day Holiday. Flying from DC area to Dublin: solo, middle-aged female traveler. I really want to do the local flavor since I live in DC, but flying into Dublin as it is significantly cheaper than Cork. My plan is to train it from Dublin to Cork, Cork to either Kinsale or Killarney (suggestions?) and Killarney back to Dublin.

I do have Rick's book. I can do 10-12 days. I'm not interested in the big touristy stuff.

Questions:
What is considered the best day of the week to fly in and out (I would like to enjoy 2 weekends in Ireland)?
I've heard that you can book directly at the TI's once you land versus advance booking. Really? I did do that in Italy - much risk?
I would like to do some horseback riding (I used to ride in rodeos). Recommendations that are easy to get to without renting a car?

Thanks much!
Dee

Posted by
1 posts

Look at rick's train map. The train lines fan out from Dublin. I had to readjust my plans, too. The express busses also seem to follow that route. Recalibrating my trip to match reality.

Posted by
106 posts

Dee,
Flying home from Dublin saves you from going through US Customs in DC, as you go through customs in Dublin.
I have stayed at the White House in Kinsale. Nice, clean, and downtown (but no elevator). You definitely want to see/ hear Trad Routes while in Kinsale. Check Kinsale Message Board for where/when they are playing. Also go to the message board to look for horseback riding.
I did take a train from Kinsale to Dublin. If I remember correctly, it took about 2 1/2 hours.
Have a great trip!
Pam from Bath

Posted by
855 posts

You can get the train from Dublin to Cork, then the bus from Cork to Kinsale. It takes about an hour by bus to get to Kinsale, and I recall the bus depot being a short walk from the train station. In Kinsale you can walk around the harbor to the ruins of old James Fort on one side, then the better preserved Charles Fort on the other side of the harbour. Both were nice walks and took about 45 minutes. Cork to Killarney by train is a little over an hour. In Killarney it's easy to get a day trip to Dingle Peninsula, Ring of Kerry, Gap of Dunloe etc. I really enjoyed the day trip that included a ride across the lake in a wooden dinghy, then a jaunting car through the Gap of Dunloe. Some people rented bikes and brought them on the boat so they could ride through the Gap. If you have the time I would recommend stopping in Kilkenny for a night or two, also, it's a pretty little town.

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