Hello! Can you please help to advise what you feel would be the best 2-3 day trip from Dublin? Sadly, that is all the time we have.
We are a late 30s bunch whose interests include, nature, walking/historical tours, lively pubs, music, and good quality food (fresh, organic, inventive but not necessarily "fine" dining).
We plan to travel by train/public transportation only.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts!
Okay, Ireland by public transportation only.I'll let others answer your question in detail, but here's something to get you started, the website for Irish Rail http://www.irishrail.ie/home/if you click around you'll get an idea of the geographical coverage and schedules of the Ireland rail system.Here's a one page overall route map The map may overstate the availability of rail transportation because it doesn't show you the number of trains per day, which can be limited, but you can get that information elsewhere on the site. And you may need to supplement rail with bus transportation to reach destinations not served by rail, here's the bus website http://www.buseireann.ie/ [edit: I didn't notice Nancy had already posted the bus site]
This link will give you public bus information: http://www.buseireann.ie/ You'll find that bus transportation is a lot more extensive than rail in Ireland.
A couple of suggestions for areas near Dublin that you might be interested in: Newgrange and the Boyne River valley (tours available to this area), Glendalough and the Wicklow Mountains (bus tours also available to this area). You don't say when you are planning on traveling, but if it's spring or summer you could add Powerscourt to a Wicklow Mountains trip.
Newgrange is approx two hours from Dublin. We thought it was one of the most impressive sites we've ever visited.
It's a 3 hour train ride from Dublin to Galway. If you want to see part of Western Ireland, you could base in Galway and easily take day trips to places like Cliffs of Moher, Aran Islands, the Burren, Connemara to get your nature fix. Many tour operators run out of Galway if you wanted to join a day tour, there are some public transportation options (buses and ferries) to other sights that you can get on your own if you don't want to join a day tour, or you could hire a private driver for just your group.
Lots of lively pubs, music and good restaurants in and around Galway.
Other option, head to Northern Ireland. You can easily get from Dublin by train or bus. Antrim Coast is scenic for some walks, easily accessible by regional commuter rail to many shore towns where you can stay overnight - during the summer, there is a free tourist shuttle that can get you to places like Giant's Causeway, Dunluce Castle, etc. You could also spend a night in one of the larger cities like Belfast or Derry, get a sense of history by seeing the political murals in the Catholic and Protestant neighborhoods and there are loads of pubs and good restaurants.
Contrary to what George has said, Newgrange is only about 45 minutes from Dublin, max. Bus tours of this area often include the Hill of Tara, Knowth, and Newgrange. If you are going in the summer it might be advantageous to take a tour, as they are guaranteed to be able to go in. During the busy season, if you get there too late in the day you might not get a spot on the shuttle bus that takes you in from the visitor center.
Thanks all. Much appreciated. So many great options! We will be traveling toward mid-July(and back in Dublin for U2 on the 24th!!!!)
I would suggest taking the train up to Belfast for at least one night. Robinson's pub across from the Europa hotel is a fun time as is the Crown Saloon next door. I was just there in April of 2008 and am in my early 30s.
If you were able to make it to Derry/Londonderry the historical walking tour on the city walls is amazing! Derry is difficult to reach by public transport but I believe there are tours that could make it accessible. Derry has a medieval feel with the castle walls but seems to have more visual reminders of the "troubles" which makes the walking tour very poignant. Both Belfast and Derry have amazing political murals. Despite the "troubles" both places are full of kind special people who will welcome you. While on the walking tour in Derry a mother with two small sons walked by me. One of the little boys said "Mum what are these people doing?" His mum responded "they have come into our city to see what it is like and that is a good thing."
Giant's Causeway was alright but the Antrim Coast is amazing. If you want to go south of Dublin, Glendalough and Powerscourt are excellent. I did both as day trips from Dublin. There is a double decker bus tour that leaves Dublin for Powerscourt drivng through Dalkey where U2's Bono is supposedly a resident along with Enya.
If you are looking for a place to relax while in Dublin, St. Stephen's green is a great place to sit down and people watch.
