I am attending a friend's wedding in Portugal in September and since I've been there before, I would like to add a new country. I am looking at Rick Steve's 7 day tour of Ireland (I don't have enough time for the 14 day tour) and am wondering if it's too short for those of you who have travelled there? I could also stay 2 more days and see more sites on my own like going to Galway. I would appreciate any suggestions.
Posted by
Last Frontier aka Alaska 🏔️
3560 posts
I would say as a lover of Ireland, that a little bit of Ireland, is better than no Ireland. Even the 14 day, IMHO, is not nearly enough time for this gem of an island. Since you are already there in Europe, yes, GO!
Posted by
Reno, NV, USA
2547 posts
If that is all you have time for plus a couple of days I think that tour would be fine. What you will be missing from the 14 day tour is Northern Ireland. If you could add a couple of days pre or post tour then I would spend another day in Dublin as there is a lot to see there especially the National Museum and add on a day tour with Mary Gibbons to Newgrange. Or you could go for a couple days to Belfast.
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8876 posts
The entire reason they have 7 day tours is in response to those, like yourself, with limited time available. Of course you will only get a taste of Ireland in that time. However, my experience with RS tours is that they are so well designed and run that they make the time available very meaningful. I like your idea of the tour and then add a few days on yourself.
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
6713 posts
I agree with both posters above. I've taken the 14-day tour, plus extra days, and would gladly have stayed longer if I could. But seven days is much better than no days, especially since you'll already be in Europe. The more days you can add the better. I'd recommend Dublin for any extra days you have, or Belfast if time allows. If you prefer rural sightseeing, Galway is a good base for Connemara or the Aran Islands, but either of those would use a day, plus the time it would take to re-cross Ireland.
Your most efficient option would be to fly into Shannon and home (or to Portugal) from Dublin (or Belfast if you finish there). Aircoach has good service to Dublin Airport from Galway, Belfast, and other places you might end up, if that's helpful.
Posted by
RIchmond, BC,Canada
932 posts
Tough choice as seven days will only give you a taste of Ireland, but it is a good tour for the length of time. You could accomplish a lot of this on your own by splitting those days between Dublin and Galway and making use of guided day trips. From Dublin you can take the train to Kilkenny (only about an hour) and see the town on your own. You can also get a day trip to Glendalough, plus you could also get a day trip to Newgrange. From Galway you can get day trips to the Cliffs of Moher/Burren, Connemara, and over to Inishmore. However, you would miss out on Dingle and Rock of Cashel. You could also take the train to Belfast from Dublin for the day, or fly into Dublin, and out of Belfast. It will come down to what you want to see. You will also have to figure out how to get to where the tour starts from where you will be in Portugal. Not sure how hard that will be.
Posted by
Atlanta
5196 posts
Agree with Carol now retired who stated
...you will only get a taste of Ireland in that time. However, my experience with RS tours is that they are so well designed and run that they make the time available very meaningful. I like your idea of the tour and then add a few days on yourself.
Ireland is a beautiful country, and if that's all the time you have, then take advantage of it and go! You'll not regret it, and will probably make it a point to return again.