We are spending sixteen days in Ireland in September 2016. We are focusing on touring the Wild Atlantic way sites (as far as Clifden, Connemara) and Dublin. Do we need to pre book a trip to Skellig Michael or a walk to the Cliffs of Moher with Pat Sweeny or ferry trip to the Aran Islands? In Dublin our priorities are to visit the Book of Kells, Museum of Archeology, and the Chester Beatty Library. Is it best to get tickets in advance? If there are other sites in Dublin that are more enjoyable with pre booking please let me know.
Thanks, Sharon
Posted by
317 posts
Greetings from Ireland.
The good news is September is a little bit less mental with crowds than August, so you'll not have to pre-book much.
Ill answer this wearing two hats, one as a tour-guide and other as a hotelier.
Firstly, activities. The skellig visit and the Cliffs of Moher walk are important to pre-book. The National museum and Chester Beatty Library are free, so no booking needed. The Book of Kells doesnt need booked but now it can be pre-booked on ticketmaster to avoid the lines.
If you had cash to spare Id go for the Connoisseur experience at Guinness storehouse, maybe €30 or so, its fantastic.
Secondly, as a hotelier, September can be busy, and this September we have Boston College playing Georgia Tech in Dublin so there will be 50,000+ extra Americans on the move around Ireland! So book early to ensure you get the rooms you want in the towns you want.
Slainte/Good health
Stephen McPhilemy
Rick Steves Ireland Tour-Guide
Dingle & Derry
Posted by
Fl
42 posts
Sept 3rd is the game. Scared me there for a minute. I rented an apartment for a week in Dublin for Sept but not till the later part of the month.
The literary pub tours are fun and you can pre book them. Walking tours from Trinity students are also good.
Book of Kells, be there when the door opens. We were the first to see it one time by doing that. Collins Barracks is also good to visit and Glasnevin cemetery.
Posted by
1172 posts
Definitely pre-book your Skellig Michael. I was looking for the end of July and many tours were already sold out and this is a month ago.
I also posted about Kilmanhaim Gaol. You can now by advanced tickets and many times lists into July and beyond are already sold out as well