I am traveling with my husband, 9 year old son and MIL to Ireland the end of July 2024. My MIL has family on Inis Mor and we have a place to stay there. My husband, son and I have never been to Ireland. We are flying in and out of Dublin, Wed. 7/31 to Wed. 7/7. I don't know if we should go straight to Inis Mor first and then plan our way back to Dublin or spend a couple of days in Dublin and then go to Inis Mor and plan from there. I know Inis Mor is small, so we really didn't plan on staying more than a night or 2. We are pretty clueless, so any help is much appreciated!
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1583 posts
Assuming you are travelling from the US or returning home via the US visit Dublin last. You will pre-clear US immigration in Dublin which means you really do need to be checking in at the airport 3 hours ahead of your departure time. After checking in you will go through Irish security, US TSA security and US passport control. When you arrive in the US it will be as if you took a domestic flight. With that in mind, upon arrival in Dublin on July 31, take the Aircoach bus to Galway, https://www.aircoach.ie/. The bus picks you up outside the terminal. Spend your first night or two there then head to Inis Mor and plan the rest of your trip.
Posted by
OP
17 posts
Yes, we are traveling from the US. Thank you for the advice. Does anyone have "must dos/sees" to suggest. We will be with my 9 year old son and 77 year old MIL.
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Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
11873 posts
To make going home easier, schedule your Dublin time at the end
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
7937 posts
Plan to fly to Inis Mór after the night or two after reaching Galway on the Aircoach. The Connemara Airport for Aer Arann is west of Galway. There are ferries as well, but rough seas often affect whether the ferry can sail or not. The little Aer Arann planes fly reliably, and faster than taking a ferry.
Posted by
OP
17 posts
Thank you for this information about the planes and the ferry! Do you have any suggestions on where to go as we make our way back to Dublin?
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
7937 posts
Are you renting a car? That can be helpful for getting around, but can also be a challenge, driving on the left, driver on the right side of the car, and some very narrow roads.
If you venture south of Galway, the famous, very high, very long Cliffs of Moher are awesome. There’s also the Burren, a unique geographical place with unique plant life. We stayed for several days in Lisdoonvarna.
Northwest of Galway is Connemara. Ashford Castle, near Cong, has a Hawk Walk, where you go with a guide and your own Harris Hawk on a gauntlet. The bird flys off, and returns to you. It’s an amazing experience.
North of Dublin is the Bru na Boinne, the Boyne Valley. It’s full of fascinating ancient Celtic sites, oriented with with astronomical significance. Even if you’re not driving, there are tours to go there, and it will be unforgettable.
Posted by
OP
17 posts
This is really great advice and information, thank you!!!
Posted by
1583 posts
In the same general area of Brú na Bóinne and the Bóinne Valley is the town of Trim and the Trim Castle which your son might like. It’s a defensive castle, so no tapestries, silver or period dress. But it has been “renovated” to demonstrate how it was used and evolved over the centuries. Trim is on the River Boyne and a short walk from the castle is a monastic ruin as well as the Yellow Steeple. Closer to Dublin and very close to the airport is Malahide castle which your MIL might like. It s not a defensive castle but rather a manor house which does have tapestries, silver and beautiful grounds. Malahide also has a small beach, quaint and charming stores and great seafood restaurants.