Thanks in advance for any recommendations! We (2 healthy seniors) are beginning to plan our 3rd trip to Ireland - late Sept./early Oct. 2025 for about 2 weeks. This time around, we'd love to use public transport rather than renting a car and driving again (we survived but could use less stress :) Flying in and out of Dublin from the US. Main interests: trad music, good pubs that aren't too touristy, walkable places, beautiful scenery, hearing about the history from local folks, spending multiple nights rather than hopping around a lot. We have not been to Northern Ireland and are open to that as well. I've perused some of the forums that focus on trains and buses and realize public transportation is getting better. What are some places you think are overlooked? What is doable, given our parameters? Again, thanks for you suggestions.
Posted by
35 posts
We are in Ireland from Canada right now (also seniors, in our 70s) and I can only say it's extremely difficult...public transportation is very unreliable, except in the big cities. We thought Galway would be okay, but it really wasn't. Bus routes change with no warning. We caught the 401, as instructed to travel from our b&b in Salt Hill. That was great. So, we were heading back later that day, caught the 401 going back....don't ever get on a bus without asking the driver specifically...we didn't, hence after riding for a very long time, we finally asked the driver lol. Oh yes, she said, this will get you to Salt Hill, eventually lol. It changed back later so we did get back. Now, to be clear, the drivers are fantastic, very helpful but I would be cautious. Forget about going to any of the smaller places, their buses are virtually impossible. We had intended to do public, but first we had an issue with the car rental at Shannon airport and ended up spending a lot of money to take a taxi to our Salthill place. We spent 4 nights there and then decided a car rental was a brilliant idea. This is our 4th trip here and yes, driving is stressful, but your brain adapts quickly. If you're really uncomfortable, rent an automatic. I would encourage you to get out of your comfort zone and go for it with rental. We were able to see so much more, all through county Kilkenny, county Carlow and Wexford (our favourite place ever). We turn our rental in tomorrow and take the train to the north. We have family there who will look after our transport. After Christmas we will be in Dublin for 5 days using public....buy Leap cards for sure.
Ireland is just the best and we hope to return next summer for the Wexford Music Festival.
Enjoy your planning, your travel and Happy Christmas!
Posted by
Midwest
577 posts
Ditto public transport is not the best in Ireland between towns. We had a very bad experience twice with the big green bus between Dublin & Ennis. And Ennis to sightsee.
I would suggest if you can drive or go on day tours with a company. We had a very enjoyable tour with Wild Rover to Northern Ireland from Dublin but they do other tours.
The buses were over an hour late & extremely dirty. Big green bus or Dublin coach. Do not use them.
Posted by
Mountains of S. Oregon
865 posts
We're always in Ireland in May, so crowds may be worse than September, but our experience is that trad music sessions are always crowded. Many locals, but mostly tourists, many of whom seem to ignore the pleas to enjoy the music rather than chit chat at a high volume. McHugh's in Belfast was an exception for a quiet afternoon session. We're fairly stubborn and wait for tables to shuffle, and eventually get seats and are able to enjoy the music. Temple Bar is the exception for being hopelessly loud and chaotic - and they aren't sessions, just Irish-y music. Another good uncrowded spot was Anderson's The Thatch west of Carrick-on-Shannon - the instruments are already behind the bar and the staff often joins in. The Crane Bar in Galway is good if you get there early when they open the upstairs bar. Last year, after a concert at St, James Church in Dingle, we stopped by John Benny's for a beer and the Church performers came in and started playing to just us at first. The internet is a good way to find trad sessions - they are usually on specific days of the week at different bars although Facebook sometimes misleads.
https://thesession.org/sessions/
If you survived a car rental already, you'll find things get easier the next time. The time wasted waiting/riding buses and trains is worth a little stress to us (me). Get a good talking navigation device (dash or mobile) and have a sharp eyed co-pilot for complex intersections and finding things.