Hi all, I'm posting my draft itinerary for the first leg of my Ireland/England trip. Please let me know your thoughts specifically around if this is too much to cram into our time, which days we should go to Belfast for a day-trip or if there are places we should spend more time.
3/15 Arrive in Dublin (AM): sight see, check-in to hotel, rest
3/16 Sight see in Dublin or Day trip to Belfast, returning to Dublin in PM
3/17 St. Paddy's day in Dublin
3/18 Sight see in Dublin or Day trip to Belfast, returning in PM
3/19 Train to Galway, overnight in Galway
3/20 Train from Galway back to Dublin
3/21 Travel to London
Posted by
Ithaca, NY, USA
1021 posts
I’d suggest staying in Dublin on day 2. You’ve just completed a long travel day, give yourself time to explore more of Dublin. By the end of day 2, you will be completely familiar with the layout of the city.
Personally, I’d select either Galway or Belfast. You’re not giving yourself enough time to really get to know either city. I’d choose one of the two (we loved them both but they are very different) and spend 2 nights there. If you choose Galway you could spend one day on Inis Mor; if Belfast there’s plenty to do in the city for 2 full days or you could take a day trip to the Giants Causeway.
I know nothing about spending March 17 in Dublin, other that it’s sure to be crowded with tourists!
Posted by
Midway, UT
3268 posts
You might consider heading directly to Galway upon arrival and spending a couple (or 3) nights there before returning to Dublin for your last few days. There's an express bus that departs directly from the airport that will get you to Galway in about 3 hours - very convenient. Might even be able to take a restorative nap along the way.
Posted by
San Franciso Bay Area, USA
1242 posts
Welcome to the Forum.
Robert’s suggestion to head straight to Galway on your arrival day would offer you some advantages. It is a smaller city, so a great place to recover from jet lag. It also avoids you having to pack and repack to stay that extra night in Dublin on the 20th.
You could have an afternoon and evening to explore the first day and a full day the second day. Since you have St. Paddy’s day in Dublin, would recommend that if you take this option, then just stay the one night in Galway, but take a late train from Galway back to Dublin on the 16th.
If you start in Dublin, you might consider flying from Shannon airport to London. That saves you from traveling back to Dublin and gives you an extra night in Galway. You can also optimize your time on the Wild Atlantic way by arranging private transport from Galway to Shannon that stops at the Cliffs of Mohr. We did that this summer and it allowed us to see more in the short time we had in the region. It can be a bit pricey, but for us it was worth the timing saving and efficiency.
Last thought, I personally wouldn’t visit Belfast on the 16th. It is a long trip and you will still be jet lagged. Stay in Dublin on that day and explore. If you want to visit Belfast, then the 18th may be better choice as you are likely to be less tired.
Posted by
Bellingham, WA
2218 posts
Why have you chosen Galway? And Belfast, for that matter? I agree with the comment to choose one or the other. Both is too much for such a short stay.
You can direct fly to London from Dublin, Shannon, either of the Belfast airports or from Cork (plus Derry, Kerry and Knock), so no need to backtrack to Dublin for this short hop.
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
6846 posts
I agree with the others above -- spend two nights and a full day in either Belfast or Galway, at either the start or the end of your visit. You can get an Aircoach express bus to either from DUB on arrival day, or you can use either to reach DUB on departure day (but a better idea, if the flights are well timed, to fly straight to London from either Belfast or Shannon).