We will be taking our first trip to Ireland in April/May (2 weeks). We fly in and out of Dublin, and are going to be spending the first 3 nights, and the last night there. We will have 10 days to tour the rest of the island, and will have a car. Aside from Dublin, we are thinking of basing those 10 days from 3 different towns/villages at the most, and doing day trips. My question is what 3 towns or villages would you suggest staying for those 10 nights?
As an aside, we are doing a one day coach trip up to Giants Causeway when in Dublin, so we will not be driving or staying in the north of the island.
Posted by
381 posts
If you are not locked into flying in and out of Dublin I recommend flying into Dublin and out of Shannon. You could pick up the car on the way out of Dublin and head south through Waterford and hug the coast..... Wexford, Kinsale, Adare, Dingle Peninsula, Westport.....We did this trip in 2001 and it was beautiful but pace yourself. We returned to Ireland in 2015 and spent three weeks on the Dingle Peninsula and settled in as locals.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
Dingle and Galway are each good bases for some of our favorite sightseeing, and probably Kinsale for the third one: https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/ireland/itinerary
Posted by
Kansas City
272 posts
We based in Galway for three nights and did a day trip to the Aran Islands and a day drive around Connemara (very long day).
Posted by
Corvallis OR
7158 posts
I would tend to agree with Laura. Galway, Dingle, and Kinsale are all good bases for the south and west of Ireland. We stayed in Galway and Kinsale, did not get to Dingle - unfortunate but a reason to go back. A lot of people don't like Killarney but I really liked it and Kenmare is another good town to use as a base. Galway and Killarney are bigger towns, Dingle, Kinsale, and Kenmare are smaller.
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Thanks for the suggestions so far. Keep them coming! What about staying in Cork for 3 nights for the southern portion of our tour? Thoughts?
Posted by
Land of La
9221 posts
Dingle, Dingle, Dingle. Did I mention Dingle?
Cut one night out of Dublin and stay in Belfast 2 nights. See the Titanic Museum, the Crumlin Road Gaol and take the Black Cab Tour of the Troubles. Leave the next morning and visit the Giants Causeway, then drive to Galway and base there. From there to Dingle. Then head back toward Dublin via Kinsale, Kilkenny and Glendlaough.
Posted by
Corvallis OR
7158 posts
I liked Cork, but for a few days I prefer a bit smaller town and Kinsale is convenient for the same area as Cork only it's much smaller and right on the water, much more scenic location. Lots of good pubs, restaurants, and shops too.
Posted by
RIchmond, BC,Canada
933 posts
Galway was my favourite, lots to see and do from there, and heard some amazing music at the Crane pub. I also stayed in Killarney for a few days, but I was without a car and it was easy to do day trips from there. I enjoyed Kinsale and Kilkenny as well.
Posted by
Rocky Mount, VA
290 posts
Galway makes a great base; it’s a fun city itself and driving around Connemara is worthwhile; you’re also a couple of hours from the Cliffs of Moher which are spectacular. A day trip to the Aran Islands is well worth it.
I enjoyed Kinsale, Kenmare, and Killarney as well. Killarney caters to bus tours, but I still found the town enjoyable and not too crowded. It is very convenient to the National Park, the Muckross House and Traditional Farms, the Gap of Dunloe, and the Ring of Kerry Drive. Kenmare and Kinsale are both charming smaller towns and offer convenient drives to other places. Kenmare is a good starting point for the Ring of Kerry. Kinsale has a number of great pubs, and a fun ghost tour departs from the Tap Tavern.
I spend several nights in Dingle and would highly recommend it. Staying several nights increases your chances of having a sunny day for the Slea Head Drive.